FaQ

Q. What IS Shakespeare on the Lawn (SotL)?
A. Shakespeare on the Lawn is an acting troupe that, for the most part, puts on free Shakespeare plays on grounds.

Q. Who are the members of Shakespeare on the Lawn?
A. SotL is composed of UVA undergrads and grad students.

Q. Do you really perform on the Lawn?
A. Not usually, but we have! Spring 2008 saw the first SotL main stage production performed on the Lawn when the matinee performance of The Taming of the Shrew was performed for an audience packed on the steps of Old Cabell hall. Prior to this, multiple small projects such as The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged had also been performed on the Lawn. We usually perform in the Student Activities Building (SAB) by Scott Stadium, where we can set up a stage and scenery as well as hang lights. But SotL sounds a lot cooler than SitSAB (Shakespeare in the Student Activities Building) doesn't it?

Q. Why are the plays free? How do you afford anything?
A. Good question. We can actually afford very little. The plays are free so that people have no reason to avoid seeing Shakespeare. We do try to pay for costumes, props, and sets through donations from attendants, grants from UVA, and profits from selling baked goods at the shows. In recent years we have grown large enough to take on projects other than our main shows, such as various smaller budget performances, and selling Sonnetgrams. We have used these smaller projects as opportunities for fundraising to great success.

Q. What is the time commitment for members of SotL?
A. SotL puts on one large scale performance each semester. For a full production, rehearsal is usually 3 to 4 days a week, for 2 to 4 hours. Obviously, the director and important staff must be at all rehearsals, but actors only have to be at the ones where they are in the scenes being rehearsed. This is usually 3 to 4 days a week for a major role and 1 to 3 for minor roles. The week of the show, the schedule is very busy, and will probably run every day of the week.

Q. Is there stuff to do besides acting?
A. Of course! There are a lot more people involved in the production of a show than just the actors. We need people to help with building sets & costumes, setting up and running lights, publicity, and concessions. If you want to help out with any of these things, or just want to meet some really cool people, then you want to join the SotL-tech mailing list.

Q. What plays has SotL performed?
A. Lots!

Q. How do I join Shakespeare on the Lawn?
A. The first thing everyone should do is join the SotL list. This will send you e-mails about things going on with the group, such as when the next auditions are and upcoming performance dates. Come to the interest meetings or auditions and either try out for a part or talk to the director about helping out in other ways. If there aren't any auditions soon, just check out our web site, or send an e-mail to our president Katharine Meyer or Webmaster and they will get back to you.