King John

King John

JUL 17, 19, 20, 23, 25, & 26
Klein Theatre

The Shakespeare Theatre Company Academy is a Master of Fine Arts program that trains actors to work with classical language and embody mythic storytelling. This is classical work in its purest form: energetic and lean, with a focus on actors, language, and story.

After completing a one-year intensive program of coursework spanning classical text study, stage combat, and more, the Class of 2025 performs two plays in repertory as the culmination of their training: The Taming of the Shrew, Or, Petruchio is Kated and King John.

Tickets are $20 for the general public.

King John

Directed by Aaron Posner
By William Shakespeare

Power is a tenuous thing in King John, Shakespeare’s fierce, fast-moving tale of political gamesmanship, shifting loyalties, and fragile legitimacy. As England’s rivals jostle for the crown, John claws to keep control—facing off against rebellious nobles, a bold French king, and even his own nephew’s claim. Deals are struck, oaths are broken, and war looms large, but in the end, it’s not just armies or titles that decide who holds power—it’s who survives the fallout. A rarely staged gem packed with powerful language and sky-high stakes.

Performance Dates
JUL 17 at 7:30pm
JUL 19 at 7:30pm
JUL 20 at 2pm
JUL 23 at 7:30pm
JUL 25 at 7:30pm
JUL 26 at 7:30pm

Cast

Layali Aljirafi
Layali Aljirafi
Widow/Friend (SHREW) | Blanche/Messenger (JOHN)
Edie Backman
Edie Backman
Vincentia (SHREW) | Earl of Salisbury/Executioner (JOHN)
Michael Burgos
Michael Burgos
Petruchio (SHREW) | Lord Bigot (JOHN)
Tracy DiiBon Coffey
Tracy DiiBon Coffey
Baptista Minola (SHREW) | Queen Eleanor (JOHN)
Reese Cowley
Reese Cowley
Bianca (SHREW) | Louis the Dauphin (JOHN)
Maryanne Henderson
Maryanne Henderson
Katherina (SHREW) | Soldier/Cardinal Pandulph (JOHN)
Cammiel Hussey
Cammiel Hussey
Grumia (SHREW) | Citizen of Angiers/Earl of Pembroke (JOHN)
Alie Karambash
Alie Karambash
Pedant/Merchant (SHREW) | Duke of Austria/Peter (JOHN)
Eric Lane
Eric Lane
Gremio (SHREW) | King John (JOHN)
Elizabeth Loyacano
Elizabeth Loyacano
Trania (SHREW) | Hubert (JOHN)
Molly Malone
Molly Malone
Haberdasher (SHREW) | Constance (JOHN)
Amber Mayberry
Amber Mayberry
Tailor (SHREW) | King Philip II of France (JOHN)
Sadie O'Conor
Sadie O'Conor
Biondella (SHREW) | Arthur (JOHN)
Sam Rodd
Sam Rodd
Curtis (SHREW) | Bastard (JOHN)
Alex Ross
Alex Ross
Hortensio (SHREW) | Robert/Executioner/Henry (JOHN)
Sydney Sinclair
Sydney Sinclair
Lucentia (SHREW) | Chattilion/Count Melun (JOHN)

Full Cast List

Widow/Friend (SHREW) | Blanche/Messenger (JOHN): Layali Aljirafi
Vincentia (SHREW) | Earl of Salisbury/Executioner (JOHN): Edie Backman
Petruchio (SHREW) | Lord Bigot (JOHN): Michael Burgos
Baptista Minola (SHREW) | Queen Eleanor (JOHN): Tracy DiiBon Coffey
Bianca (SHREW) | Louis the Dauphin (JOHN): Reese Cowley
Katherina (SHREW) | Soldier/Cardinal Pandulph (JOHN): Maryanne Henderson
Grumia (SHREW) | Citizen of Angiers/Earl of Pembroke (JOHN): Cammiel Hussey
Pedant/Merchant (SHREW) | Duke of Austria/Peter (JOHN): Alie Karambash
Gremio (SHREW) | King John (JOHN): Eric Lane
Trania (SHREW) | Hubert (JOHN): Elizabeth Loyacano
Haberdasher (SHREW) | Constance (JOHN): Molly Malone
Tailor (SHREW) | King Philip II of France (JOHN): Amber Mayberry
Biondella (SHREW) | Arthur (JOHN): Sadie O'Conor
Curtis (SHREW) | Bastard (JOHN): Sam Rodd
Hortensio (SHREW) | Robert/Executioner/Henry (JOHN): Alex Ross
Lucentia (SHREW) | Chattilion/Count Melun (JOHN): Sydney Sinclair

Artistic Team

Director: Aaron Posner
Assistant Director: Renea S. Brown
STC Academy Director/Producer: Alec Wild
Production Manager/STC Academy Coordinator: Maddie Caldis
Text and Vocal Coach: Lisa Beley
Fight Director: Robb Hunter
Intimacy Coordinator: Sierra Young
Choreographer: Nikki Miraz
Lighting Designer: Minjoo Kim
Sound Designer: Matt Nielson
Costume Designer: Becca Janey
Costume Assistant: Theodore Hill
Stage Manager: Regina Vitale
Assistant Stage Manager: Isabella Tapia
Stage Manager Cover: Sarah Schlehlein