November 2, 2006

Othello Project concludes with three performances

In a campus first, Northwestern is inviting its entire community — from freshmen to full professors, department assistants to top administrators – as well as the Evanston community to join in the reading, exploration and enjoyment of a single great book, Shakespeare’s “Othello.” The One Book, One University initiative continues to the end of the quarter.

“Othello lends itself to so many entry points and concerns,” says Wendy Wall, English professor, Renaissance literary scholar and major force behind the “one book” initiative. About a Muslim living in Venice who converts to Christianity, Wall said the play was chosen for its multicultural themes, its intense look at the “green-eyed monster” called jealousy, exploration of villainy, influence around the world and meditation on theatre itself.

The remaining events of “Project Othello” follow. All take place on the Evanston campus.

7 p.m. Nov. 6, 102 University Hall

“Othello in Three Modes: Opera, Dance, and the Visual Arts” will explore three very different adaptations and interpretations of Othello, including a discussion of Verdi’s opera “Otello” by Northwestern musicologist Jesse Rosenberg; José Limón’s dance theatre work “The Moor’s Pavane” with dance Professor Susan Manning; and mixed media artist Fred Wilson’s 2003 installation at the Venice Biennale with DePaul University faculty member Francesca Royster.

2 p.m. Nov. 7, Marjorie Ward Marshall Dance Center

James Moreno will present a Limon Movement Workshop to give participants the opportunity to experience the José Limón dance technique. A pioneering modern dancer and choreographer, Limon is best known for his 1949 dance “The Moor’s Pavane.” The public is  welcome on a first-come, first-seated basis.

7 p.m. Nov. 9, McCormick Tribune Center Forum

In “Othello in Performance,” internationally known director, choreographer, playwright David Bell will demonstrate how a single scene from “Othello” can be performed in strikingly different ways. Bell, a Northwestern professor of theatre, has directed numerous Shakespeare plays for the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and is author and lyricist of “Hot Mikado,” a Gilbert & Sullivan adaptation. A panel discussion will follow featuring Barbara Gaines, Chicago Shakespeare Theater founder and director and Honorary OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) winner.

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For further information, call (847) 491-7294, e-mail english-dept@northwestern.edu, or visit the Project Othello Web site that includes information about events, speakers, parking and directions to campus at www.english.northwestern.edu/othello.