Grab a picnic and a glass of wine, find your way to patio, and start your evening off with a free, thrilling, behind-the-scenes exploration with HVS artists, scholars, and industry experts. These pre-show talks take place every Thursday night during the summer season and are open to the public.
Planned Conversations:
Thursday, August 29th, 2024: Join us for a conversation with Sandra Goldmark (Associate Dean for Interdisciplinary Engagement, Columbia Climate School and Professor of Professional Practice, Barnard College), Karen Ertl (Philipstown Climate Smart Task Force), Eric Van Deusen (Atelier Ten), and Nick Skeadas (CEO of Curbside Compost) about sustainability at HVSF
Past Conversations:
June 13th: Join us for a conversation with Ryan Quinn (Director) & Heidi Armbruster (Playwright) of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.
June 20th: Join us for a conversation with Nathan Winkelstein (Director) of Medea: Re-Versed
July 11th: Join us for a conversation with Storyteller Ron Sopyla about the Greek myth in Medea: Re-Versed followed by a performance of Medea: Re-Versed
July 18th: Join us for a conversation with Mystery Writer and former HVSF Director John C Plummer followed by a performance of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
July 25th: Join us for a conversation with Dramaturg Kate Farrington followed by a performance of By the Queen
Thursday, August 22nd, 2024: Join us for a conversation with Ron Sopyla, Storyteller (Medea and Greek Myth background)
Made possible by Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.
Past Speakers
2022 Guest Speakers
Music & Movement at HVS: A conversation with Musical Director Saul Nache and Choreographer Kimiye Corwin.
ROMEO & JULIET: Dr. Seth Herbst, West Point Assistant Professor of English, discusses the Shakespearean classic.
Climate Conversations: Sandra Goldmark, Associate Professor of Professional Practice in Theatre, Director of Campus Sustainability and Climate Action at Barnard College in conversation with HVSF Artistic Director Davis McCallum, and Dr. Radley Horton, Lamont Research Professor, Ocean and Climate Physics, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), Columbia Climate School.
Yellow Finch Project: A conversation about enhancing the lives of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other social-communication issues through the art of theater.
Where We Belong: In Conversation with Curtis Zunigha, an enrolled member of the Delaware Tribe of Indians in Oklahoma and an acknowledged expert on Delaware/Lenape culture, language, and traditional practices. Mr. Zunigha is Co-Founder and Co-Director of The Lenape Center, based in New York City.
Romeos and Juliets: Generations of star-crossed lovers, Carl Howell and Angela Janas (2012), Kurt Rhoads and Nance Williamson (2022), discuss these roles.
Our Future: Davis McCallum shares the vision for the site and future of the Hudson Valley Shakespeare.
Mr. Burns: A Conversation with The Civilians Artistic Director, Steven Cosson: Hear from Steven Cosson on why MR. BURNS was originally chosen for commission by The Civilians, New York, NY.
2019 Guest Speakers
- HVSF Artistic Director and CYMBELINE Director Davis McCallum with May Adrales, Director of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
- CYRANO Playwright and Company Member Jason O’Connell
- CYRANO Director Meredith McDonough
- Cast and Creative of HVSF’s Touring JULIUS CAESAR
- Split Rock Books presents Benjamin Dreyer, Author of Dreyer’s English
- HVSF Education Intern Caitlyn Halvorsen with Martine Green-Rogers, President of LMDA and SUNY New Paltz Associate Professor of Theatre Arts
- Dr. Seth Herbst, West Point Assistant Professor of English
- INTO THE WOODS Director Jenn Thompson
- HVSF2 Playwright John Leonard Pielmeier, Author of Hook’s Tale
- Katharine Goodland, CUNY Professor of Literature and Drama
- HVSF Education Programs Manager Marie D’Apice with Cyrus Mulready, SUNY New Paltz Associate Professor of English
- Company Members José Gamo and Luis Quintero
- HVSF Education Intern, Caitlyn Halvorsen in conversation with dramaturg, producer, and teacher, Christine Scarfuto
2018 Guest Speakers
- Alithea Phillips, HVSF Voice and Speech Coach
- Shana Cooper, Director of HVSF’s THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
- Davis McCallum, HVSF Artistic Director
- Wesley Mann, longtime HVSF Company member
- The Funny School of Good Acting Commedia Company
- Liz Wisan, Kate in HVSF’s THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
- Jarrod Bates, Hamlet in HVSF’s Touring Production of HAMLET
- Kate Farrington, Writer and Dramaturg
- Dr. Cordelia Zukerman, West Point Assistant Professor of English
- Jennifer Carlquist, Executive Director of Boscobel House and Gardens
- Seth Herbst, West Point Assistant Professor of English
- Christopher Bayes, Clown and Playwright
- Liam Craig, Rip in HVSF’s RIP VAN WINKLE
- Suzanne Agins, Director of HVSF’s THE HEART OF ROBIN HOOD
- Marie D’Apice, HVSF Education Associate and Teaching Artist
- Julia Coffey, Richard in HVSF’s RICHARD II
- Nance Williamson, longtime HVSF Company member
- Seth Bockley, Playwright and Director of HVSF’S RIP VAN WINKLE
2017 Guest Speakers
- Davis McCallum, HVSF Artistic Director
- Amanda Dehnert, Director of HVSF’s PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
- Luke Pontifell, Newburgh-based publisher and founder of Thornwillow Press
- Jennifer Carlquist, Executive Director of Boscobel
- Dr. Cordelia Zukerman, West Point Assistant Professor of English
- Daniel Wechsler, Author of Shakespeare’s Beehive: An Annotated Elizabethan Dictionary Comes to Light
- Penny Metropulos, Director of HVSF’s THE GENERAL FROM AMERICA
- Seth Bockley, Playwright and Director of HVSF’s RIP VAN WINKLE
- Ian Belknap, Artistic Director of The Acting Company
- Kate Hamill, Playwright, HVSF’s PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
- Kate Farrington, Director of Dramaturgy at The Pearl Theatre Company
- Richard Nelson, Palywright, HVSF’s THE GENERAL FROM AMERICA