Come Rap in the Global Theatre Project's RAPPING ON THE TEMPEST

Since 2010, The Global Theatre Project has brought U.S. theatre artists, community members and youth together to create theatrical projects that connect them to the rest of the world. One of these, The Stratford/ Shakespeare Connection, focuses on celebrating and sharing a special message: that the United States is a part of the global fabric and that we, in our true essence, are an international nation. It is a live theatrical happening that is videotaped and then screened at Stratford-upon-Avon, England by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. 

The 2012 happening, Rapping on The Tempest, spins off the immortal words of Shakespeare’s Prospero, “We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep,” and will be mashed with Gertrude’s speech from Hamlet as she describes the descent of Ophelia into the muddy depths where she meets her death. Through the Bard’s text and the power of spoken word, GTP plans to explore the possibility that we could ‘wake up’ from a ‘sleep’ that disconnects us from one another and instead find ways to build community through imagination.

Last year, the GTP explored the idea of love and connection with The Double, Double Sonnet Project. They incorporated 11 languages as a small representation of the backgrounds of Americans including English, Lebanese, Persian, Spanish, American Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, and Hebrew. Below is the video:

With Rapping on The Tempest, GTP would like to increase the number of young people who participate, to introduce them to the wonder of Shakespeare’s work, and, in doing so, to make them think about their place within our global community. Heart of Los Angeles Youth has enthusiastically offered the use of their downtown LA campus, as well as the participation of 35 of their under-served neighborhood kids for the event.

In addition, this year GTP is being offered the opportunity to screen the final video as part of the inaugural season of Stratford’s Shakespeare on Film Festival. But they need your help.

Funds are needed to compensate the passionate, dedicated artists and craftspeople, to offer stipends to translators to assist participants and audience members for whom English is a second language, to create professional quality scenery, costumes and props (including a 10-foot puppet!), to rent high-end video and sound equipment, and for marketing (social media, flyers, postcards, posters) to spread the word. CLICK HERE to watch the video and see how you can be part of the Global Theatre Project.

The happening will take place September 29th from 10am to 2pm in Lafayette Park, Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057 and is open to the public. If you are interested in participating, please send an email to info@theglobaltheatreproject.org with the subject line: Shakespeare! And let them know what language you speak so they can include it in the event. 

Click Here for more information about the Global Theatre Project and further details about Rapping on The Tempest.

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