Welcome to Hamlet Isn’t Dead’s

Othello

Content Warning
This show features the following: racist language, domestic violence, suffocation, murder, and suicide.

Plot Summary
(Just…so many spoilers)

Act 1
Late at night, Roderigo (a suitor of Desdemona) and Iago visit Brabantio in the canals of Venice. They inform Brabantio, who is Desdemona’s mother, that Desdemona has married Othello, a general in the Venetian army.

Elsewhere in Venice, Cassio notifies Othello that the Duke has summoned him. An irate Brabantio confronts Othello, accusing him of eloping with her daughter. At a meeting to discuss Othello's deployment to Cyprus to fight the Turks, Brabantio accuses Othello of kidnapping his daughter. Othello explains that Desdemona fell in love with him through his tales of valor, and Desdemona confirms her love. Although Brabantio disowns her, she reluctantly blesses their marriage. Brabantio warns Othello of Desdemona’s potential betrayal. Othello, Iago, Cassio, and Desdemona prepare to leave for Cyprus. Meanwhile, a heartbroken Roderigo contemplates suicide over losing Desdemona, but Iago convinces him to sell his land instead and follow them to Cyprus.

Desdemona, Othello, Cassio, Roderigo, Iago, and Emilia (Iago's wife) reach Cyprus, their ships having been separated by a storm. Othello declares the war over, with the Ottoman fleet sunk in the storm. Iago tells Roderigo to start a fight with Cassio that night.

That night, Iago gets Cassio drunk, causing a brawl with Roderigo and Montano. Othello demotes Cassio for the disturbance after arriving on the scene. Iago suggests Cassio ask Desdemona to help reinstate his position.

Desdemona agrees to assist Cassio in regaining his officer position. Iago fuels Othello's jealousy by pointing out Cassio and Desdemona talking, then manipulates Othello into believing they are having an affair. Othello doesn’t fully believe him yet.

Desdemona drops her strawberry handkerchief (a gift from Othello) by mistake. Emilia gives Desdemona's handkerchief to Iago, who plants it in Cassio's room. Othello, upset by accusations against Desdemona, confronts Iago. Through manipulation, Iago convinces Othello that he is telling the truth. Othello promotes Iago to a lieutenant for his honesty.

Desdemona, unable to find her handkerchief, cannot calm Othello when he demands it, revealing its sentimental value as his mother's gift. Discussing Cassio's situation further irritates Othello. Both Desdemona and Emilia notice Othello's angry mood, while Iago pretends to be worried. Desdemona assures Cassio she will advocate for him again with Othello.

Act 2
Iago intensifies Othello's doubts about Desdemona's fidelity, causing Othello to have an epileptic seizure. Once recovered, Iago convinces Othello to secretly listen to a conversation between him and Cassio about Bianca, a prostitute in love with Cassio. Othello, misled by Iago, thinks they are discussing Desdemona. Cassio's remarks about Bianca and the sight of the strawberry handkerchief with Cassio convince Othello of Desdemona's infidelity.

Later in the day, Othello publicly humiliates Desdemona, striking her in front of her aunt, Lodovico, and the rest of the court.

Othello questions Emilia about Cassio and Desdemona, but she denies seeing any wrongdoing. Othello rebukes Desdemona, and both women confide in Iago, who feigns sympathy. Iago persuades a disillusioned Roderigo to try to kill Cassio, falsely promising it will help win Desdemona's love.

That evening, Othello and Lodovico escort Desdemona and Emilia to bed. Alone, Emilia and Desdemona discuss Desdemona’s anxiety. Desdemona sings, and Emilia consoles her until dismissed.

That night, Roderigo tries to attack Cassio but ends up wounded. Iago, during the fight, secretly attacks Cassio and later finishes off the injured Roderigo.

Othello confronts the sleeping Desdemona, demanding she confesses her unfaithfulness. Despite her protests of innocence, he suffocates her. Emilia discovers the murder, and as the truth of Iago’s plot unravels, Iago kills Emilia and flees, with Montano and Lodovico in pursuit. Emilia dies, echoing Desdemona's song. Othello, realizing the truth, stabs himself in remorse.

Land Acknowledgement
This is not the first story to be told on this soil, nor will it be the last. The land on which we perform this play is the ancestral home of the Munsee Lenape, a subtribe of the Lenape people. What is now known as “New York City” was a thriving center of trade and art long before European colonizers arrived. 

This particular area was also home to Seneca Village, the first free Black community in NYC. After over 30 years, this thriving community was purposefully and forcibly displaced by City officials in order to construct Central Park. We recognize that the absence of both Seneca Village and the Munsee Lenape stewards of this land are due to the intentional actions of our European ancestors, and by white supremacist systems still in place today.

Director’s Note

Shakespeare's Othello is not a tragedy to take lightly. The responsibility to tell this story with heart and authenticity is a great one. It is a play that is often shied away from by companies because of the fear of addressing some of the major issues involving racism and systemic misogyny. It is imperative for creatives on every level of production to have access to a play like this one. This piece holds us accountable in a beautifully profound way. This cast navigated the material with grace, patience, flexibility and passion. I couldn't have asked for a more incredible team to work alongside. Othello doesn't just require intensity and violence, it requires joy, heart and love...only then can we learn what is truly lost in this great tragedy. I hope you enjoy watching this piece as much as we enjoyed creating it!

Special Thanks
The Center at West Park, Molloy Studios, Fractured Atlas, Actors’ Equity, New York Center for Creativity and Dance, and all of our amazing donors past, present, and future.

Love what we do and want to support us? Hate what we do but think we’d improve with more funding? Send us some love with a tax-deductible donation! Alternatively, you can send some love to our cast and crew individually; see their Venmo handles below!

Full Crew
Christopher Reed Brown - Director
Olivia Basile - Stage Manager
Michelle Kariuki - Assistant Director/Dramaturg
Stephen Eckert - Intimacy Choreographer
Susannah Wilson - Fight Choreographer
Sophia Carlin - Production Coordinator/CCO
Valerie Peter Chong - Producer/Artistic Consultant
David Andrew Laws - Producer

Full Cast
Aaron Moore - Othello
Olivia Ridpath - Desdemona
Chapman Hyatt - Iago
Stephanie LaVardera* - Emilia
Gregory Kowlessar* - Cassio
Justin Parrish - Roderigo/Band
Tori Anderson - Brabantio/Lodovico/Fight Captain/Band
Nick Stokes - Duke/Montano/Music Director/Band
Jamar Arthur - Othello/Cassio Understudy
Jillian Cicalese - Desdemona/Emilia Understudy
Michael Thomas Kennedy* - Iago/Band Understudy

*Equity Member appearing with permission of Actors’ Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this Off-Off Broadway production

Cast & Crew Bios

Aaron Moore (Othello) is beyond excited to be making his debut with Hamlet Isn’t Dead. Aaron is an NYC-based actor and a lover of the classics. Aaron is a BA graduate of The University of Texas at Austin’s Dept. of Theater and Dance, and The Circle in the Square Theater School. Recent Credits include Ada (Theater for the New City), Emil x Xaver, The Bridge (Columbia University school of the Arts), Macbeth, Spring Awakening (Theater Row). When he’s not onstage, you can find him supporting his community as the Food Pantry Director of Metro Baptist Church. 
IG@aaronanthonymoore

Chapman Hyatt (Iago) is a newcomer to HID and is thrilled to be making his debut with this company in such a great production. He’d like to thank everyone for their tireless effort in bringing this story to life and clear passion everyone has brought to the process. 
@chapdaddyhy

Christopher Reed Brown (Director) (he/him) is a New York native actor and director. He worked with Hamlet isn't dead in 2017, and is now making his NY directorial debut. He is beyond honored to be working with such an amazing cast and crew. His credits include Film/TV: Greatest Beer Run Ever (Skydance), Downlow (Filmnation), Elementary (CBS), Mysteries of Laura (CBS), and Get Christie Love (Lionsgate). Theatre: Becomes a Woman (Mint Theatre), What Would Crazy Horse Do? (Larissa Fasthorse World Premiere KC Rep), Welcome to Fear City (Kara Lee Corthron World Premiere KC Rep), Macbeth (Kenneth Branagh Park Avenue Armory), Mondo Tragic (National Black Theatre), Matchmaker (People's Light Theatre), Richard ii (People's Light theatre), and Uniform Justice (Intersections International). He'd like to thank his wife Caroline and his family for all of their continued support.
@christopherreedbrown

Gregory Kowlessar (Cassio) is a New York-based actor. He is a BFA graduate from Five Towns College and has attended NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. His recent classical roles include Edgar in King Lear, Antipholus of Syracuse in The Comedy of Errors and Angelo in Measure For Measure. He is a resident company member of Hamlet Isn't Dead. He is represented by Bramante Artists. 
IG: @gregorykowlessar
Venmo: @Gregory-Kowlessar

Jamar Arthur (Othello/Cassio Understudy) is a Brooklyn-based actor and alumni of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts (NY). Originally from Waldorf, MD. He was most recently seen in Fences by August Wilson (Gallery Players). He thanks HID for their warm welcome into a space to play and hang for a bit. G2G!

Jillian Cicalese (Desdemona/Emilia Understudy) (she/her) is an actor, director, and teaching artist based in NYC.  She earned her Masters of Fine Arts in Acting from the FSU Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. She was previously seen Off-Broadway at The Player’s Theatre as Sara Marshall in Spit ‘n Vigor’s production of “Ectoplasm” by Sara Fellini on 2022, and again in their production of Kelleen Conway Blanchard’s “Blood Countess” as The Horned Woman in January 2023. This is her third year with Hamlet Isn’t Dead, with whom she most recently performed as a Weird Sister and Songstress in their production of “Macbeth”, Diana in “All’s Well That Ends Well”, and herself/Petruchio in “Shrew You!” As a teaching artist, she offers group workshops and private coaching, which include monologue coaching, ensemble building, and Shakespeare workshops! She is so grateful to the cast and crew, and to all those who continue to support the live arts! To keep up with her work, visit jilliancicalese.com and follow her on Instagram @jmcicalese.  
Venmo @jmcicalese

Justin Parrish (Roderigo) (he/him) is a Filipino-American actor born in Los Angeles. Ever since his 1st grade performance of “My Girl” by The Temptations, the stage has been his home. Over the years, his love for acting has evolved from a desire for attention to an adoration of the human experience. Some of his credits include Toby Belch (Twelfth Night), Estragon (Waiting for Godot), and De Guiche (Cyrano de Bergerac). After spending most of his life in theatre and getting his BFA in Acting at the Purchase College Conservatory of Theatre Arts, Justin will be making his NYC theatre debut in Othello.

Michael Thomas Kennedy (Iago/Band Understudy) (he/they) is a Brooklyn-based actor and clown, who strives to model his life and career after his role model, Kermit the Frog. He is a proud alumni of The Barrow Group, and the University of New Haven. You can catch Michael doing improv with his team, Geraldine Wilkerson, and doing clown for anyone who with anyone, really. He is not picky. Michael sends love and thanks to his friends, family, friends who are more like family, and to Emma and Goose. Let's go Mets!
@unsureofmyname

Michelle Kariuki (Assistant Director/Dramaturg) (she/her) is a Brooklyn based artist with Jersey roots. She graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Drama and has worked professionally in both theater and film in New York. She has featured in new works at NY theaters such as JACK, Ars Nova, Judson Memorial Church and also internationally at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She is super excited and honored to be in the Assistant Director role for Othello!

Nick Stokes (Music Director/Duke/Montano/Band) (he/his) is originally from Virginia Beach, VA, but spent most of his adolescence and early adult years in AL, where he earned a BFA in Acting/Directing from the University of Montevallo. On the winding road of Life, he took a left turn at Albuquerque and landed somewhere in the Big Apple, where he found Hamlet Isn’t Dead. He is an actor/writer/musician and often spends his days dreaming up wonderfully creative things that will never make any money. He is ecstatic to be sharing the stage (and rehearsal space) with so many talented and terrific individuals.
IG: @nickcstokes

Olivia Basile (Stage Manager) is a New York City based actor, writer, podcast editor, and NYU Tisch graduate. 
Acting credits include: Sunny & Dawn (Sunny) at Prime Produce; All My Sons (Sue Bayliss) at Wayside Cottage; If Only We Knew (Daisy) at the Aery Theatre Festival [Semi-Finalist]. 
Writing credits include: Sea Glass, which had it's first staged reading at at NYTF’s 2023 Summerfest. Podcast editing credits: The LightShed Podcast, Reverting, and Strahd Walks. 
@oliviabaesil

Olivia Ridpath (Desdemona) is grateful to be back on stage in another HID production! She is a proud graduate of the University of Windsor’s BFA in Acting conservatory, and has been an active RAC member for 2 seasons. She is honoured to have had the chance to work and play with this wonderful group of humans - and is so happy you’re here to journey to Cyprus with us! Love and thanks to everybody xx
@liv.rid

Sophia Carlin (Production Coordinator) (she/they) is a theatre artist dedicated to highlighting unheard voices through new works and adaptations. She works as an actor, director, producer, deviser, puppeteer, teaching artist, and designer in both NYC and their native Chicago. A proud HIDiot of 7+ years, she serves as the Creative Director for Hamlet Isn't Dead (HID), having most notably directed All's Well that Ends Well for them last April and AntonyandCleopatra this past October. Keep up with her journey at sophiacarlin.com or on Insta: @sophia.c.carlin As always and forever, love to Francis!

Stephanie LaVardera (Emilia) (she/her) has been hanging around here for a while, nagging people about pronunciation and scansion dynamics, doing terrible Bernie Sanders and George Bush impressions, demanding flute solos, and just generally being a pain in the ass. HID: Olivia in Twelfth Night, Lady MacDuff in Macbeth, Elbow in Measure for Measure,  and little Annie Page in Merry Wives of Windsor. Other Select Credits: Romeo and Juliet (The Folger),  Midsummer’s Night (Greenbrier Valley Theatre), Zorro (Constellation Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (New York Shakespeare Exchange). Stephanie has also said some lines on Law and Order: SVU. Follow her on insta for cozy playreading and tea drinking content @stephlavardera

Stephen M. Eckert (Intimacy Director) (any pronouns) is a director of theater, opera, and now intimacy! They have worked in New York, London, and extensively in New Orleans where they founded the Promethean Theatre Company and directed award-winning productions of "EQUUS" and “The Flick". Eckert has directed several premier productions of new work including the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival award-winning "We Will Not Describe the Conversation," "ID, Please" at London’s TÊTE À TÊTE new opera festival, and "A Small Breach in Protocol at Big Rick’s Rockin’ Skydive Academy" at the Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival. www.stephenmeckert.com

Susannah Wilson (Fight Choreographer) (they/she) is an actor, ceramicist, and big lover of pretend violence. She has a recommended pass from the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) in unarmed combat and single sword, and has played extensively with broadsword, rapier & dagger, quarterstaff and more weaponry than you care to count. They have fight directed for children and adults between Boston and NYC since 2016. Big thanks always to Ted Hewlett, who taught her to fight, and passed on his fierce care for the storytelling that bring violence to life. 
@zannahbooo

Tori Anderson (Brabantio/Lodovico/Band/Fight Captain) (she/her) is pleased as punch to be in her first Hamlet Isn't Dead production! A New York actor originally from Wyoming, she is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. She was recently seen as Feste in Willow Tree Production's Twelfth Night, and can often be spotted crying in various locations around New York City! Achievements include: being President of her 5th-grade class, the ability to spell antidisestablishmentarianism without spell check, and (try to think of third accomplishment before sending). She dedicates this day, and every day, to the memory of Jimmy Buffett; you can go to Heaven- she's going to Margaritaville.
Venmo and IG @toomuch_tori