Summer 2020 Update

In March of 2020, we had been busily preparing our summer show, As You Like It, which, at that point, we had put several months of sweat, laughs and heart into. Then, suddenly, like for so many, the world asked us to behave and think differently.  

There are things we’ve always dubbed part of a typical “Ruff Summer” – spontaneous group picnics, neighbours snuggling together to watch theatre beneath the stars, actors laughing in makeshift dressing rooms. We always thought this was what made us what we are. 

That’s only the partial truth. The real truth is we are who we are because of the community.  And this year, if we we cannot guarantee the safety of our community – the artists, the volunteers, the staff, and the audiences – we can’t move forward the way we always have. Safety guides all of our decision-making, and putting anyone at risk is counter to what we believe in.  

You will see As You Like It because the work the team has put into it is too delightful not to share. We want to do it fully, when the time comes, because it deserves that.   

This summer, however, will be a little different.  

Shakespeare in the Ruff is a charitable organization, and we recognize that our duty is to serve the community. Right now, the part of our community that needs the most support are the artists we work with, specifically freelance artists, whose incomes have evaporated. We are currently developing an artistic offering that employs each one of our 2020 artists in a safe, creative way, and artistically speaks to this moment.     

Where and when this will be? We can’t tell just yet. We’re waiting for the green-light from the city to see if we can use Withrow Park in a new, smaller-scale, safe way, and if not, assessing what it means to site-specifically create for an online platform. These big questions don’t fluster us too much, because we already have what we need most: the people. 

Below you will see a list of the artists we have been working with, and their As You Like It credits, as they’ve not only contributed to that show, but have contributed to making our company what it is.  

Thank you to everyone who has supported us in this challenging time. We are what we are because of you. 

Warmly, 

Eva Barrie, Kaitlyn Riordan, Desirée Leverenz
Ruff’s Artistic Leadership Team.
May 28th, 2020

AS YOU LIKE IT

Adapted by Jeff Ho
Directed by Eva Barrie
Set & Lighting Design by Jareth Li
Costume Design by Julia Kim
Sound Design by Maddie Bautista
Props Design by Gloria Mok
Assistant Directed by Desirée Leverenz
Stage Managed by Tamara Vuckovic
Production Co-Management by Gloria Mok & David Costello
Produced by Annie Clarke

The Cast:
Emilio Vieira … Orlando
Sepehr Reybod … Oliver
Jeff Yung … Silvius/Adam/Charles
Tiff Martin … Rosalinde
Kwaku Okyere … Celia
Veronica Hortiguela … Phebe/Le Beau
Christine Horne … Jacques