blog

Otîhêw
Written by PJ Prudat
Directed by Philip Geller

Shakespeare in the Ruff presents Otîhêw, an Indigenous reimagining of Shakespeare’s Othello by PJ Prudat. 

Set during the fur trade era, Otîhêw is the story of an Indigenous woman warrior bound in the historical “custom-of-the-country” to Desmond, a fur-trader under HBC conquest. Otîhêw will be directed by Philip Geller.

Seeking:

Magpie – Female/non-binary identifying – Age 25+ – Indigenous.
Outlier and fiercely defended by sister Otîhêw. She is the oracular voice and their language is expressed through strong physicality.

Hamish (Iago) – Any gender – Age 30+ – Indigenous.
Not your typical Iago. Fuelled by an insatiable hunger for control, they are the colonial construct of a perfect storm. Sibling to Otîhêw.

At Shakespeare in the Ruff, we have always offered training opportunities for professional artists. That has taken the form of Shakespearean Masterclasses with top classical actors, audition workshops, and more recently as our Reimagining the Canon workshop for creators interested in adaptation. But we also wanted to offer something to you, our Ruff audiences and supporters, who may have a passion for theatre, language, and Shakespeare, but don’t practice it professionally.

What are the stories you wish to write? What myths in the world do you hope to tackle, or challenge, or celebrate? What is the story inside of you, as a performer, deviser, designer, whatever path you tread, that you want to share? How do we collide the diversity of truths in our world into compelling, intimate, powerful theatre?

Listen here

Read More

Hello!  We are overjoyed to welcome both Michael Wamara and Sadie Epstein-Fine to
Shakespeare in the Ruff’s team, as the newly appointed Education Coordinators.

Listen here: