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Austin Tichenor

is the co-artistic director of the Reduced Shakespeare Company; a writing and acting coach at The Shakespeareance; the co-author of ten stage comedies, including William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged) and The Comedy of Hamlet! (a prequel); the co-creator of the illustrated children’s books Pop-Up Shakespeare and Daisy, the Littlest Zombie; a contributor to The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Global Shakespeare and Shakespearean Biofiction on the Contemporary Stage and Screen (from Arden Shakespeare); and the host of the world’s oldest and longest-running theater podcast, the Reduced Shakespeare Company Podcast.
“Steeped in blood”: The doomed youth of Shakespeare and Stephen King
Shakespeare and Beyond

“Steeped in blood”: The doomed youth of Shakespeare and Stephen King

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Austin Tichenor

With Halloween approaching, Austin Tichenor takes a look at Stephen King and a theme he shares with Shakespeare: the often tragic fate of younger characters.

“Th’ unruly camp”: The savage Shakespearean beauty of Deadwood
Shakespeare and Beyond

“Th’ unruly camp”: The savage Shakespearean beauty of Deadwood

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Austin Tichenor

Austin Tichenor dives deep into the Shakespearean character of the HBO Western Deadwood, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

“The purpose of playing”: Working with Shakespeare in Sing Sing and Ghostlight
Still from movie with Colman Domingo in foreground at left, Clarence Maclin to his right.
Shakespeare and Beyond

“The purpose of playing”: Working with Shakespeare in Sing Sing and Ghostlight

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Austin Tichenor

Austin Tichenor explores how the films Sing Sing and Ghostlight show the power and healing of theater and Shakespeare, in both forceful and amusing ways.

"Merry sport": The Olympic Games are afoot!
Shakespeare and Beyond

"Merry sport": The Olympic Games are afoot!

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Austin Tichenor

Inspired by the Olympics, Austin Tichenor explores how Shakespeare uses sports in his plays, including as a way to show tensions between England and France.

“Speak what terrible language you will”: Shakespeare and TikTok
Shakespeare and Beyond

“Speak what terrible language you will”: Shakespeare and TikTok

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Austin Tichenor

Austin Tichenor on whether TikTok, like Shakespeare, is adding new words and phrases.

“Without much shame retold”: Shakespeare’s sources transformed
Shakespeare and Beyond

“Without much shame retold”: Shakespeare’s sources transformed

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Austin Tichenor

Austin Tichenor on how Shakespeare drew from the classics, history texts, folk tales, contemporary politics, and more.

Worthy scaffold: The epic intimacy of William Shakespeare
a dramatic black and white image of a man and woman leaning with their faces close together
Shakespeare and Beyond

Worthy scaffold: The epic intimacy of William Shakespeare

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Austin Tichenor

Austin Tichenor writes about movies that feel like plays and theater that feels cinematic.

“Murder most foul”: How Shakespeare connects Abraham Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth
Shakespeare and Beyond

“Murder most foul”: How Shakespeare connects Abraham Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth

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Austin Tichenor

Austin Tichenor explores the deep connections the president and his murderer share with William Shakespeare.

“Cast in darkness": Who should play Richard III?
Shakespeare and Beyond

“Cast in darkness": Who should play Richard III?

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Austin Tichenor

Austin Tichenor argues for the importance of casting disabled actors as Richard III, spotlighting Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s production with Katy Sullivan in the title role.

Re-thinking "Honest Iago"
Shakespeare and Beyond

Re-thinking "Honest Iago"

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Austin Tichenor

Austin Tichenor grapples with the larger question of whether Iago deserves the sympathetic re-evaluation found in Iago: The Green Eyed Monster.

How William Shakespeare invented the holiday romcom
Shakespeare and Beyond

How William Shakespeare invented the holiday romcom

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Austin Tichenor

Austin Tichenor argues that today’s holiday romantic comedies are full of recognizably Shakespearean motifs.

“What the Dickens": How Shakespeare haunts "A Christmas Carol"
A ghostly grey figure wrapped in chains confronts a recumbent man with white hair and a white nightgown
Shakespeare and Beyond

“What the Dickens": How Shakespeare haunts "A Christmas Carol"

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Austin Tichenor

Austin Tichenor unpacks Shakespeare’s influence on Charles Dickens in the beloved holiday classic A Christmas Carol.

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