Clark State updates ‘Lear’ for a modern stage

Josh Katawick never went looking for Shakespeare. Instead, the Bard found him.

From being the guy who did theater in high school because it was good place to meet girls to being a dedicated Shakespearian performer, Katawick is delving further into his interest by directing the Clark State Theatre Arts Program’s production of the tragedy “King Lear.”

“In my opinion this is Shakespeare’s masterpiece,” said Katawick. “’Hamlet’ is his most written about play, but ‘Lear’ has a little of everything – violence, war, romance, loyalty, honesty, a literal storm onstage, a driving plot and subplots that are expertly put together.”

“King Lear” will be presented at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 and 28 and Nov. 3 and 4, and matinee performances at 2 p.m. Oct. 29 and Nov. 5 at the Clark State Performing Arts Center’s Turner Studio Theatre.

A 2008 Shawnee High School graduate, Katawick was going to college with a goal to work for the government when when he was cast in the title role in Springfield StageWorks’ 2009 production of “Hamlet.”

“It opened my eyes to theater. I saw there was some substance to this Shakespeare guy,” he said.

This led to more community theater, an apprenticeship with a prestigious New Jersey Shakespearian group and eventually to becoming a resident ensemble player in the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. He also does other theater and workshops with various high schools.

While helping with fight choreography in Clark State’s 2016 production of “Angels in America,” Katawick suggested to Theresa Lauricella, associate professor and Clark State Theatre Arts Program coordinator, to bring ‘Lear’ to the stage.

She asked for a proposal and off it went.

It’s not unusual for Shakespeare plays to be set in times other than when they were written – the 1996 movie adaptation with Leonardo DiCaprio is one successful example.

“This is done all the time with Shakespeare,” said Katawick. “It just makes sense. Why do it in dated fashion?”

For “King Lear,” about the title character’s descent into madness while testing his three daughters for their love in dividing his kingdom, bringing tragic results, Katawick chose to set it in a contemporary setting as it speaks to contemporary issues as well.

Lear is now a military dictator along the lines of Benito Mussolini or Joseph Stalin, complete with military uniform. Katawick also knew who he wanted as his Lear: Charles Larkowski, a retired Wright State University music professor with whom he’d previously performed a two-man show.

There are 17 actors, including nine Clark State students. Katawick himself studied theater under Lauricella and performed in Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.”

He said not to expect frills. The set will be mainly bare bones save for a map of the division of three kingdoms on the floor to remind the audience what’s at stake, which will stand out.

Katawick prefers the focus to be on the actors. He also claims this may be the first if not only time in years if at all “King Lear” has been presented.

“It’s a great opportunity for Clark State students and it’s special to me.”


WANT TO GO?

What: King Lear

Where: Clark State Performing Arts Center, Turner Studio Theatre, 300 South Fountain Ave., Springfield

When: Oct. 27 and 28 and Nov. 3 and 4, 7 p.m. and Oct. 29 and Nov. 5, 2 p.m.

Admission: $15

More info: 937-328-3880 or go to www.facebook.com/clarkstatetheatre/

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