Community Responses to Othello: Student Edition

Community Responses to Othello: Student Edition

STC’s vision is to create theatre that ignites a dialogue and that connects classic works to our modern world—this vision is especially true for Ron Daniels’ production of Othello. In the context of world events, this tragedy is one of the classics that seems most timely, relevant and urgent.

Throughout the run of this urgent production, over 4,000 students from 57 schools in the Washington area will get the chance to see Othello as part of our SHAKESPEARIENCE and District Shakespeare matinees. Whenever STC hosts student matinees, we encourage students to ask questions after the show and to engage more with the art. As part of our community responses to Othello series, we would like to publish just a few questions from those students. We hope this will continue to help further the dialogue between STC, the community and the youth and help provide our audiences with another lens to view this current production.

Now, without further introduction, please enjoy the questions about Othello from some local students who have attended our Othello student matinees:

 

 

Question: For the character who lost his title—How does an actor convey pain and emotion that they have never felt before, and how can a young actress like myself do so?

 

 

Question: When his face turned red, did he really choke him? And did he really kiss him?

 

 

Question: Was Iago already planning Roderigo’s death in act 1, scene 1? Is Iago misogynistic?

 

 

Question: Am I the only one who thought “strumpet” was a cute nickname?

 

 

Question: Why is Iago making jokes? Is it the director’s critique?