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Elizabeth Elias Huffman
Artistic Director, PICT Classic Theatre
Alumni of Directors West
Member of Stage Directors & Choreographers Society
Member of SAG/AFTRA/ACTORS EQUITY
Member of MENATMA
Elizabeth Elias Huffman is the newly appointed Artistic Director of PICT Classic Theatre In Pittsburgh. She is an acclaimed international actor, an award winning director and playwright known for her visionary and diverse productions. She teaches Shakespeare and classical theatre worldwide and offers online classes and coaching for actors in film, television and theatre. Elizabeth is currently appearing in Steel Magnolias at The Pittsburgh Public Theatre until April 9. 2023
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
by William Shakespeare
Portland Actors Ensemble, Portland, OR
PRODUCTION NOTES
What happens when two powerful rulers from vastly different cultures, ideologies, and political agendas dare to fall in love? Is it romantic destiny or political suicide? Have we changed the way we deal with that question today?
Describing the play as a culture clashing, political love story, director Elizabeth Huffman draws on her Arabic roots, her lifelong fascination with Roman history and an avid interest in today’s multicultural landscape to examine Shakespeare’s most complex adult love story.
For this production, she weaves together elements of three periods of time: the ancient world of the play, the Shakespearean world that it was written in, and the modern world that we live in now to illuminate the themes and questions embedded in the play.
CAST
Cleopatra
Andrea White
Antony
Matt Dibiasio
Caesar 1
Sam Levi/Josh Rice
Agrippa
Kris Mahoney- Watson
Pompey
Tom Mounsey
Charmian
D. C. Copeland
Iras
Anna Xenokrati
Enobarbus
Anthony Green
Mecaenus
Chris Beatty
Mardian
Enrique Andrade
Octavia
Sarah Peters
Soothsayer
Jocelyn Seid
Lepida
Sofia May-Cuxim
Alexas
Lawrence Siulagi
Menas/Egyptian Musician/Soldier
Otniel Henig
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director
Elizabeth Huffman
Producer
Patrick J. Cox
Stage Manager
Valerie Lenz
Set Designer
Sarah Lydecker
Costume Designer
Kate Schroeder
Composer
Chris Beatty
Fight Choreographer
Kristen Mun
Arabic Coach
Issra Hassani
Dramaturg
Alex Diaz-Hui
Makeup Designer
Rebekah Chatham
Assistant Stage Manager
Emma Lewins
Assistant Stage Manager
Halie Becker
RADIO INTERVIEW
http://kboo.fm/content/45yearsofportlandactorsensemble
PRESS QUOTES
Portland Stage Review quotes:
By Dennis Nybeck
“[MattDiBiasio] is also very animated; using his body well to convey emotion. Andrea White plays Cleopatra with a good blend of being both imperious and earthy. Octavian Caesar was well played by Josh Rice.”
“Anthony Green as Enobarbus and Josie Seid as the Soothsayer stood out among the uniformly excellent cast.”
“The costumes by Kate Schroeder are striking.”
“Wear warm clothes and don’t miss it!”
Willamette Weekly Review quotes:
By T. Palmedo:
“It’s great for the stage, but doesn’t seem like the best fit for the low budget and family audience of a Shakespeare-in-the-park production. All the more impressive, then, that Portland Actors Ensemble manages to convey most of the play’s emotional heft and cinematic scope within the confines of Laurelhurst Park.”
“…, the show belongs to Andrea White. As Cleopatra, she growls, cries and regally orates her way through a performance that would be epic in any setting.” T. Palmedo
