Illinois Theatre’s ‘Titus Andronicus’ Opens Thursday At Krannert

Illinois Theatre’s production of the Shakespeare tragedy “Titus Andronicus” opens Thursday night at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Illinois Urbana campus.

Shakespeare’s first tragedy has had a mixed critical reception in the more than four centuries since it debuted. T.S. Eliot famously called it "one of the stupidest and most uninspired plays ever written," but it has experienced a revival over the last 65 years.

Illinois Public Media’s Brian Moline spoke with dramaturgs Andrea Stevens and Vincent Carlson. Andrea also adapted the play for this production. The interview started by asking them to explain the term “dramaturg.”

"The dramaturg is the research and support for the director for the adaptation for the actors, serving as a bridge between the historical work of the piece itself," Carlson said. "Any sort of literary allusions, pronunciation help, anything that the director is doing creatively, the dramaturg will help support, and find research and documentation."

Stevens said she thinks this production of "Titus Andronicus" will resonate with today's audiences.

"I think for people who like horror films, or (Quentin) Tarantino films, the quick shift between violence and black humor will be quite familiar," she said.

"Titus Andronicus" opens at Krannert's Studio Theatre Thursday at 7:30pm.