“That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Can the same be said for the impact of Shakespeare plays translated into modernized language? The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is taking up that very question with its recent commissioning of 36 playwrights, paired with dramaturgs, to translate 39 Shakespeare plays into modern English. This three-year project called “Play on! 36 playwrights translate Shakespeare” boasts some of the industry’s most prestigious names including two faculty members in the University of Utah’s Department of Theatre, assistant professor Martine Kei Green-Rogers and associate professor Tim Slover. One of the project’s goals is to increase understanding and connection to Shakespeare’s plays, as well as engage and inspire theatregoers, theatre professionals, students, teachers and scholars. Green-Rogers is available to discuss this project and the controversy it has caused among those against modernizing the original language.
Martine Kei Green-Rogers Phone: 703-625-9979 | Email: martine.greenrogers@utah.edu