Burgess Byrd as Anna, Sabrina Lynne Sawyer as Ophelia, and Oneika Phillips as Gertrude. Photography by Mikki Schaffner.
This world-premiere reimagining of Shakespeare’s tragedy, written by America’s most produced playwright, Lauren M. Gunderson, will travel to Washington D.C. following its Cincinnati run
Cincinnati, January 22, 2025 – Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and co-producer Folger Theatre are shedding light on a different side of a classic Shakespeare tragedy in A Room in the Castle by Lauren M. Gunderson, playing January 24th – February 9th in Cincinnati, OH. This world-premiere reimagining of Hamlet from the perspectives of Ophelia and Gertrude explores untold stories and envisions an intriguing new ending for these iconic women. Directed by Kaja Dunn and co-produced with Folger Theatre in Washington, D.C., A Room in the Castle features an ensemble of three actors: Oneika Phillips and Sabrina Lynne Sawyer, making their CSC debuts, alongside Burgess Byrd, a familiar face at CSC. This production is generously sponsored by Judge Mark and Sue Ann Painter and the McElroy Family.
In this parallel retelling of Hamlet from Ophelia and Gertrude’s perspectives, the focus shifts to their emotional journey amidst the chaos of the Danish court. Ophelia’s narrative begins with the blossoming of a secret romance with Hamlet, filled with promise and youthful passion. As the intrigue in the court deepens, Ophelia and Gertrude find themselves ensnared in a web of political machinations and familial expectations, struggling to maintain power and agency. Will their ending confirm Shakespeare’s original or offer a new liberation? Audiences will find out in the world-premiere of Lauren Gunderson’s A Room in the Castle.
Originally commissioned by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company in 2020, A Room in the Castle is a world-premiere work by acclaimed playwright Lauren M. Gunderson, who has been the most produced playwright in America since 2015, topping the list three times. She is a two-time winner of the Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award for I and You and The Book of Will, the recipient of the Lanford Wilson Award, and a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. Gunderson shares, “I’m terrifically excited to finally bring A Room in the Castle to Cincy Shakes. Since they boldly commissioned the idea years ago, I’ve been filled with gratitude and eagerness to tell this untold part of the most iconic Shakespearean play and bring the women of Hamlet out from the shadows and into their own truths. What a gift to be trusted, commissioned, and—now—produced at Cincinnati Shakespeare!”
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to collaborate with Folger Theatre, located in Washington D.C., to bring A Room in the Castle to the stage. The award-winning Folger Theatre is part of the Folger Shakespeare Library, a cultural center that is home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s works. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Karen Ann Daniels, Folger Theatre continues its legacy through exciting interpretations and adaptations of Shakespeare while expanding the classical canon by cultivating today’s artists and commissioning new works in dialogue with current issues. After its Cincinnati run, A Room in the Castle will travel to Washington D.C., where it will be performed from March 4th – April 6th, 2025. Learn more at folger.edu.
A collaborative effort between designers from Folger Theatre and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company brings this world-premiere to the stage! Kaja Dunn, Folger Theatre’s Resident Intimacy Director, makes her CSC directorial debut. Her design team includes Samantha Reno, whose scenic design reimagines the Dutch castle in Hamlet from Ophelia’s perspective. Nicky Smith (Costume Design), Max Doolittle (Lighting Design), and Sarah O’Halloran (Sound Design) join forces with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company to bring the castle halls to life for audiences. Robert Carlton Stimmel (Projections Design) and Rainy Edwards (Associate Projections Design) complete the design team. The casting director for this production was Daryl Eisenberg, with stage management by Hope Villanueva (Stage Manager) and Rowan Rozzi (Assistant Stage Manager). Shana Laski serves as Assistant Director and Dramaturg.
A Room in the Castle marks the conclusion of PROJECT Hamlet, a trio of productions this season by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company exploring the timeless tragedy of Hamlet. The series began with a FREE production of Hamlet in parks across the tri-state area, followed by the Cincinnati premiere of James Ijames’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play Fat Ham, which reimagined the story of Hamlet as a backyard BBQ in the South. The series concludes with this world-premiere of Lauren Gunderson’s A Room in the Castle, based on the women of Hamlet.
A Room in the Castle runs from January 24th – February 9th at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Performances are on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, with a Saturday matinee on February 8th and two Sunday matinees on February 2nd and 9th at 2:00 PM. CSC offers performances with accessibility resources, including live audio descriptions on January 24th and a sign language-interpreted performance on February 8th at 2:00 PM. There are two half-price preview performances on Wednesday, January 22nd, and Thursday, January 23rd.
For the best ticketing experience and to avoid resale sites or scams, please be sure to only purchase tickets directly through Cincinnati Shakespeare Company online at cincyshakes.com or by calling the Box Office at 513.381.2273. Ticket prices range from $12-$82; don’t pay more!
Discounts are available for students, seniors, educators, military personnel, local residents, and community partners at all performances. Additionally, $14 “Access” tickets are offered in the Upper Gallery for each performance and can be purchased in advance online or by calling the Box Office.
For those seeking last-minute options with additional ways to save, $12 Rush Tickets are available to anyone (not just students) starting one hour before each performance. These tickets, offered in various seating locations, are subject to availability and must be purchased in person at the Box Office within an hour of show time.
To purchase tickets or for more information, call the CSC Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1, or visit cincyshakes.com. Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted, and ticketing fees apply.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is located at 1195 Elm Street, adjacent to Washington Park. In addition to abundant public parking options in the immediate vicinity, CSC offers parking services, including valet parking for $25 (managed by Star Parking) and self-parking for $15 (managed by 3CDC) in the adjacent lot. Reservations can be made in advance online or by contacting the Box Office. For more details, visit cincyshakes.com/your-visit/parking.
About Cincinnati Shakespeare Company:
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is a professional theatre company dedicated to bringing Shakespeare and the classics to life for all. In the summer of 2017, the theater relocated to the Otto M. Budig Theater, a brand-new facility in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati. CSC’s repertoire is composed of the works of William Shakespeare, literary adaptations, world premieres, and contemporary classics. CSC performs on a Small Professional Theatre contract with the Actors’ Equity Association. Cincinnati Shakespeare is a member of Theater Communications Group and the Shakespeare Theatre Association. Each year, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Education and Outreach Programs reach more than 50,000 young people and community members by meeting audiences where they are. This includes sharing programming in schools, parks, community centers, and hosting educational matinees of mainstage productions. In 2015, CSC was proud to become one of the first five theaters in the United States to “Complete the Canon” by producing all 38 plays by William Shakespeare. CSC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to be Cincinnati’s stage for the classics!
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s 2024-2025 Season is generously presented by our Operating Support Partners: The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation; The Ohio Arts Council; The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation; The National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest; The Shubert Foundation; Maureen and John Bridgeland, Cindy Bridgeland Crilley, and Debby and Jim Mason in honor of Jim Bridgeland; Lightborne, and the tens of thousands of people who give generously to the ArtsWave Community Campaign.
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