E'tienne Easley and Casey Keelan are among the all-female cast featured in Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga's production of "Othello." The nonprofit theater is in its fifth season.Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga will skirt tradition - especially Shakespearean tradition - for its next production, William Shakespeare's "Othello."
The famous tragedy revolves around four central characters: Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army; his new wife, Desdemona; his lieutenant, Cassio; and his trusted ensign, Iago.
Rather than filling the roles as Shakespeare would have done (all men) or taking the modern approach (a mixed cast of men and women), ETC has selected an all-female cast.
"We were looking at the amount of male performance opportunities versus female performance opportunities in our season and trying to equal those opportunities across the board," explains director Garry Lee Posey in a news release. "The all-female Shakespeare casting trend, or 'Chickspeare,' is not really all that new or unique, but this is really tertiary to providing more opportunities for actresses. We like to challenge our talent and push them to grow as artists and to allow them opportunities they may not get in other markets."
IF YOU GO• What: "Othello"• When: 7:30 p.m. every Thursday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 4-14• Where: Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga, 5600 Brained Road (inside Eastgate Town Center)• Admission: $15 adults, $10 students with valid ID (call ahead or purchase tickets at the door)• Phone: 423-602-8640• Website: www.ensembletheatreofchattanooga.com
In the play, Iago's jealousy leads to the deaths of several innocent people. The main object of his manipulations is Othello, a black man whose good fortune has led him to a higher military rank and marriage to the daughter of a senator. Its enduring popularity stems from its relatable themes of racism, love, jealousy and betrayal.
E'tienne Easley, who has the title role, says that with no male experience to draw from, she is considering those factors for her performance.
"The commonality is that we are human and we have all felt love, pain, hurt and betrayal to some degree, so that is what I am relying on in my approach," she says.
Also in the cast are Janni Ball, Arlene Casseday, Chelsea Crosby, Casey Keelen, Deborah Meeks, Paige Salter, Stephanie Smith and Monica Woodlief.