Becoming Othello
- Creative Centre Auditorium - YSJ University
About the Show
24th April, 7:30pm - Creative Centre Auditorium, York St John 25th April, 11:30am - Creative Centre Auditorium, York St John £15 Standard £15 Pass It On! (purchase a ticket for someone who otherwise would be unable to attend this event) £5 Concession (eligible for those who are under 18, students, disabled, a carer, or registered unemployed) From her ancestral lineage to her arrival at a metaphorical crossroad, Debra Ann Byrd presents a tour-de-force journey of her living memoir in Becoming Othello: A Black Girl’s Journey. Interspersed with verses from Othello and dynamic song and speeches, Byrd bares her soul in this vulnerable, personal, and resonant story of perseverance, discovery, and unconditional love. Directed by Shakespeare & Company founder Tina Packer and written by and starring the Founding Artistic Director of the Harlem Shakespeare Festival Debra Ann Byrd. SYNOPSIS: From her ancestral lineage to her arrival at a metaphorical crossroad, Debra Ann Byrd presents a tour-de-force journey of her living memoir in Becoming Othello: A Black Girl’s Journey. Shakespeare aficionados will love how she weaves the Bard’s words into her own, but one doesn’t have to be a Shakespeare fan to appreciate Byrd’s poignant telling of her own story. CONTENT WARNING: Becoming Othello is based on Byrd’s real-life experiences, and includes content that may be distressing. The show discusses topics and personal stories of rape, abuse, trauma, and suicidal ideation. It mentions themes of racism, class, and gender. A gun / gunshot will occur on stage during this play. These occurrences may not be suited for some audience members. Becoming Othello: A Black Girl’s Journey is an adult play. It is most appropriate for ages 13 and over. Children under 5 will not be admitted. Written & Performed By Debra Ann Byrd Directed By Tina Packer Movement Director Dyane Harvey-Salaam Sound Design David D. Wright Costume Design Gail Cooper-Hect Assistant Director Martin Jason Asprey Runtime is 100 minutes without an intermission. BECOMING OTHELLO: A Black Girl’s Journey was first performed at The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, UK in 2019.
Booking Information
On each of our events we offer a ticket option called Pass It On! If you purchase any number of these tickets, we will gratefully pass them on to people who otherwise would be unable to attend due to financial barriers, with a special focus on refugees and asylum seekers. Would you like to be considered for a Pass It On! ticket? Contact us at info@yorkshakes.co.uk --- All tickets for our events have an added 20p to help cover our ticket processing surcharge. Tickets purchased in person are not subject to this charge, but we cannot guarantee availability without booking in advance. --- There is a hearing loop and a limited number of wheelchair spaces available at this venue. Please contact us via phone call at 07784819412 or email at skylar@parrabbola.co.uk to discuss accessibility measures or to request a wheelchair ticket. --- No longer able to attend? We understand - things happen. If you are no longer able to attend we ask that you let us know as far in advance as possible so we can re-sell your ticket. We will offer refunds and aim to process these within 30 days. Contact us at info@yorkshakes.co.uk for more information and to request a cancellation.
Donate to YISF
This festival runs on a non-profit model, made possible by the hard work of dedicated volunteers and contributions from international organisations, private donors, and local partners. Every donation helps to ensure this work can continue.
In 2024, your donations will go towards...
-the creation of an original performance by actors from Ukraine and artists from York
-storytelling workshops in schools and libraries across Yorkshire
-identity building workshops for secondary students delivered by renowned international artists
-university students receiving hands-on work experience in event management and international literature
And so much more!
Do you have questions or want to get involved? Email us at info@yorkshakes.co.uk