Reduced Shakespeare Company
@reduced.bsky.social
Making long serious topics short & silly.
Bleets by co-artistic director @austintichenor.bsky.social
ReducedShakespeare.com
Bleets by co-artistic director @austintichenor.bsky.social
ReducedShakespeare.com
On the Podcast: Improvised Shakespeare Company celebrates its 20th anniversary w/ performances in Chicago, LA, and all over the country, and founder Blaine Swen discusses how ISC outgrew its humble origins. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org
Improvised Shakespeare Company - Reduced Shakespeare Company
Chicago's Improvised Shakespeare Company celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2025, and founder/director Blaine Swendiscusses the company's humble origins and how it now performs regularly in Chicago an...
www.reducedshakespeare.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:32 PM
On the Podcast: Improvised Shakespeare Company celebrates its 20th anniversary w/ performances in Chicago, LA, and all over the country, and founder Blaine Swen discusses how ISC outgrew its humble origins. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org
On the pod: Our sweet celebration of the Good Book premiered with no controversy 30 years ago at the Kennedy Center. Can you imagine?? We reminisce and marvel at how times have changed…for the worse. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org
Celebrating The Bible - Reduced Shakespeare Company
The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged), an irreverent celebration of “the greatest story ever accepted as fact” that was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award for Best New Play, celebrates its 30t...
www.reducedshakespeare.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:04 PM
On the pod: Our sweet celebration of the Good Book premiered with no controversy 30 years ago at the Kennedy Center. Can you imagine?? We reminisce and marvel at how times have changed…for the worse. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org
"Paranormal Activity" @chicagoshakes.bsky.social is a GREAT new play with amazing scares and surprising depth. On the podcast, Shannon Cochran discusses how she came to be part of it, and the surprising niche she finds herself in. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org
Shannon Cochran’s ‘Paranormal’ - Reduced Shakespeare Company
Stage actor Shannon Cochran (August: Osage County) brings her horror movie bona fides (The Ring; The Hand That Rocks The Cradle) to the phenomenal new stage play Paranormal Activity, an original new s...
www.reducedshakespeare.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:03 PM
"Paranormal Activity" @chicagoshakes.bsky.social is a GREAT new play with amazing scares and surprising depth. On the podcast, Shannon Cochran discusses how she came to be part of it, and the surprising niche she finds herself in. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org
On the Podcast: Gerrad Alex Taylor discusses his world premiere adaptation of SHAKESPEARE IN HARLEM, opening 10/30 @artsatumbc.bsky.social, which combines Shakespeare and Langston Hughes to canonize the Black experience. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org
Shakespeare In Harlem - Reduced Shakespeare Company
A hundred years on from the Harlem Renaissance, Gerrad Alex Taylor has adapted Langston Hughes’s Shakespeare in Harlem, which is having its world premiere this month at the University of Maryland Balt...
www.reducedshakespeare.com
October 15, 2025 at 11:03 PM
On the Podcast: Gerrad Alex Taylor discusses his world premiere adaptation of SHAKESPEARE IN HARLEM, opening 10/30 @artsatumbc.bsky.social, which combines Shakespeare and Langston Hughes to canonize the Black experience. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org
On the Podcast: Danielle Davis & Bri Sudia discuss how the Q Brothers' ROME SWEET ROME @chicagoshakes.bsky.social, a musical comedy about the unintended consequences of political violence feels more necessary than ever. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org
Rome Sweet Rome - Reduced Shakespeare Company
The Q Brothers Collective (Othello: The Remix; Funk It Up About Nothing) have created Rome Sweet Rome, a wild and satirical new “add-rap-tation” of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar now running at Chicago S...
www.reducedshakespeare.com
October 10, 2025 at 8:23 PM
On the Podcast: Danielle Davis & Bri Sudia discuss how the Q Brothers' ROME SWEET ROME @chicagoshakes.bsky.social, a musical comedy about the unintended consequences of political violence feels more necessary than ever. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org
More podcast chat with RSC college buddy Nina Ruscio, who shares stories of designing the Emmy-winning Best Drama THE PITT and working with (Emmy-winning!) star and exec producer Noah Wyle. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/09/nina...
Nina Ruscio Designs - Reduced Shakespeare Company
Our conversation with Nina Ruscio, the production designer of The Pitt, continues this week with further details of how unprecedented her design for HBO's Emmy-winning Best Drama really is. Nina compa...
www.reducedshakespeare.com
September 19, 2025 at 1:58 PM
More podcast chat with RSC college buddy Nina Ruscio, who shares stories of designing the Emmy-winning Best Drama THE PITT and working with (Emmy-winning!) star and exec producer Noah Wyle. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/09/nina...
On the Podcast: Nina Ruscio discusses her journey from designing @austintichenor.bsky.social's college musical to designing the biggest (in every way) show on television. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org
www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/09/desi...
www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/09/desi...
Designing The Pitt - Reduced Shakespeare Company
Nina Ruscio, the Emmy-nominated (for The Flight Attendant) production designer of The Pitt on HBO, discusses how her design helped create this enormous – and enormously popular – show. Nina reveals ho...
www.reducedshakespeare.com
September 11, 2025 at 2:08 PM
On the Podcast: Nina Ruscio discusses her journey from designing @austintichenor.bsky.social's college musical to designing the biggest (in every way) show on television. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org
www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/09/desi...
www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/09/desi...
On the Podcast: Playwright James Sherman discusses his new play about TV icon Gertrude Berg, now having its world premiere at Chicago's Northlight Theatre. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/09/tele...
Television’s First Lady - Reduced Shakespeare Company
Playwright James Sherman (Chagall in School) returns to discuss his new play The First Lady of Television, now having its world premiere at Chicago's Northlight Theatre. Jim shares his inspiration for...
www.reducedshakespeare.com
September 4, 2025 at 5:41 PM
On the Podcast: Playwright James Sherman discusses his new play about TV icon Gertrude Berg, now having its world premiere at Chicago's Northlight Theatre. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/09/tele...
Second City veterans Joe Liss and Dee Ryan talk about their improv horror parody MISERY LOVES COMPANY, which they're taking to the Rochester Fringe Festival 9/12 & 14. It's a cockadoodie good time! HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)!
www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/08/mise...
www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/08/mise...
Misery Loves Company - Reduced Shakespeare Company
Joe Liss (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Strangers With Candy; Home Alone 2) and Dee Ryan (The Office, 10 Items Or Less, United States of Tara) are bringing their improvised horror parody Misery Loves Company ...
www.reducedshakespeare.com
August 19, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Second City veterans Joe Liss and Dee Ryan talk about their improv horror parody MISERY LOVES COMPANY, which they're taking to the Rochester Fringe Festival 9/12 & 14. It's a cockadoodie good time! HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)!
www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/08/mise...
www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/08/mise...
The great James Shapiro - author, educator, & Shakespeare consultant for New York's Public Theater - discusses his work, what he learns from actors, and how we turn to Shakespeare to understand the stakes of what's happening around us. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)!
Shakespearean James Shapiro - Reduced Shakespeare Company
James Shapiro wears many hats – author, scholar, cultural historian, consultant to New York's Public Theatre – discusses his work with actors and students, as well as his invaluable books A Year in th...
www.reducedshakespeare.com
August 13, 2025 at 11:10 PM
The great James Shapiro - author, educator, & Shakespeare consultant for New York's Public Theater - discusses his work, what he learns from actors, and how we turn to Shakespeare to understand the stakes of what's happening around us. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)!
Well, this is exciting. Coming in January from @ardenpublisher.bsky.social.
www.bloomsbury.com/us/shakespea...
www.bloomsbury.com/us/shakespea...
Shakespeare in the Theatre: Reduced Shakespeare Company
The first dedicated historical study of the Reduced Shakespeare Company, this book explores the troupe's four major Shakespearean works over the past four decad…
www.bloomsbury.com
July 7, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Well, this is exciting. Coming in January from @ardenpublisher.bsky.social.
www.bloomsbury.com/us/shakespea...
www.bloomsbury.com/us/shakespea...
The delightful @madplays.bsky.social returns to the RSC Podcast to discuss her funny new drama DHABA ON DEVON AVENUE, now having its world premiere at Chicago's Writers Theatre (in a co-pro with TimeLine Theatre). HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org
Dhaba On Devon - Reduced Shakespeare Company
Playwright and screenwriter Madhuri Shekar returns to talk about Dhaba on Devon Avenue, now having its much-delayed world premiere at Chicago's Writers Theatre in a co-production with Timeline Theatre...
www.reducedshakespeare.com
July 2, 2025 at 5:18 PM
The delightful @madplays.bsky.social returns to the RSC Podcast to discuss her funny new drama DHABA ON DEVON AVENUE, now having its world premiere at Chicago's Writers Theatre (in a co-pro with TimeLine Theatre). HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org
In honor of today's opening of 28 YEARS LATER, here's that time 23 years ago that Cillian Murphy wandered through deserted London past our Criterion Theatre marquee in 28 *DAYS* LATER. Good times.
June 20, 2025 at 9:46 PM
In honor of today's opening of 28 YEARS LATER, here's that time 23 years ago that Cillian Murphy wandered through deserted London past our Criterion Theatre marquee in 28 *DAYS* LATER. Good times.
Actor/improviser Matt Walsh (VEEP, Upright Citizens Brigade) reveals improv’s magical qualities, including how improv skills can improve your acting…and vice versa. Matt’s touring New England this summer. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/06/impr...
June 19, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Actor/improviser Matt Walsh (VEEP, Upright Citizens Brigade) reveals improv’s magical qualities, including how improv skills can improve your acting…and vice versa. Matt’s touring New England this summer. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/06/impr...
On the pod: @austintichenor.bsky.social talks about doing CORIOLANUS next Monday with Chicago's Back Room Shakespeare Project and embodying their ethos of "Serious actors. No director. One rehearsal. In a bar." HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org
Preparing For Coriolanus - Reduced Shakespeare Company
Host Austin Tichenor returns to Chicago's Back Room Shakespeare Project to perform in their production of William Shakespeare's Coriolanus on June 16, 2025 at the Hideout, and he discusses with the sh...
www.reducedshakespeare.com
June 11, 2025 at 5:02 PM
On the pod: @austintichenor.bsky.social talks about doing CORIOLANUS next Monday with Chicago's Back Room Shakespeare Project and embodying their ethos of "Serious actors. No director. One rehearsal. In a bar." HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org
On the Podcast: Actor Jon Glaser ("Parks & Recreation") talks about turning his comedy album "Jon Glaser's Soothing Meditations for the Solitary Dog" into a live show that partners with orgs & shelters that support dogs & their owners. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)!
Glaser’s Dog Meditations - Reduced Shakespeare Company
Actor, author, and comedian Jon Glaser (Parks and Recreation, Delocated, Inside Amy Schumer, Neon Joe Werewolf Hunter) is turning his recent comedy album Jon Glaser's Soothing Meditations for the Soli...
www.reducedshakespeare.com
June 4, 2025 at 9:50 PM
On the Podcast: Actor Jon Glaser ("Parks & Recreation") talks about turning his comedy album "Jon Glaser's Soothing Meditations for the Solitary Dog" into a live show that partners with orgs & shelters that support dogs & their owners. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)!
On the Podcast: @bethwolf.bsky.social, founding AD of Chicago's Midsommer Flight, reveals how this summer's LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST is the perfect Shakespeare comedy for this moment. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org
www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/05/mids...
www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/05/mids...
Midsommer Flight Dream - Reduced Shakespeare Company
Beth Wolf, the founding producing artistic director of Midsommer Flight, discusses her company's upcoming production of Love’s Labour’s Lost, which has been performing for free in parks throughout Chi...
www.reducedshakespeare.com
May 30, 2025 at 11:52 PM
On the Podcast: @bethwolf.bsky.social, founding AD of Chicago's Midsommer Flight, reveals how this summer's LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST is the perfect Shakespeare comedy for this moment. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org
www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/05/mids...
www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/05/mids...
Reposted by Reduced Shakespeare Company
Looking for a great rainy day watch? 🌧️@austintichenor.bsky.social of @reduced.bsky.social Company revisits "Chimes at Midnight" as the film turns 60. 🔔 🎂 www.folger.edu/blogs/shakes...
"When somebody loved me": The tragedy of Chimes at Midnight | Folger Shakespeare Library
Folger Shakespeare Library is the world's largest Shakespeare collection, the ultimate resource for exploring Shakespeare and his world. Shakespeare belongs to you. His world is vast. Come explore. Jo...
www.folger.edu
May 27, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Looking for a great rainy day watch? 🌧️@austintichenor.bsky.social of @reduced.bsky.social Company revisits "Chimes at Midnight" as the film turns 60. 🔔 🎂 www.folger.edu/blogs/shakes...
On this week's RSC Podcast, we reminisce about filming "The Complete Works of Wm. Shakespeare (abridged)" – gulp – 25 years ago, and the impact and legacy it continues to have. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org
www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/05/film...
www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/05/film...
Filming ‘Complete Works’ - Reduced Shakespeare Company
Adam Long, Reed Martin, and Austin Tichenor – the cast of the film version of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) – reminisce about the 2000 filming of the RSC's signature work, and d...
www.reducedshakespeare.com
May 21, 2025 at 9:45 PM
On this week's RSC Podcast, we reminisce about filming "The Complete Works of Wm. Shakespeare (abridged)" – gulp – 25 years ago, and the impact and legacy it continues to have. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org
www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/05/film...
www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/05/film...
Now it can be told! Ahead of next week's book launch & tour, Christopher Moore @theauthorguy.bsky.social discusses his new novel ANIMA RISING and how its funny and unlikely elements came together. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/05/961-...
May 7, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Now it can be told! Ahead of next week's book launch & tour, Christopher Moore @theauthorguy.bsky.social discusses his new novel ANIMA RISING and how its funny and unlikely elements came together. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/05/961-...
Thanks to Ruth Buzzi, we know how to respond to a creepy old man asking, "Want a Walnetto?" #RIP #RILaughter
May 3, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Thanks to Ruth Buzzi, we know how to respond to a creepy old man asking, "Want a Walnetto?" #RIP #RILaughter
Playwrights Reed Martin & @austintichenor.bsky.social explain how they write their scripts by focusing on things that are funny to - and sometimes ONLY to - them. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/04/funn...
Funny To Us - Reduced Shakespeare Company
Playwrights and RSC artistic directors Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor discuss the updates they've been making to all their scripts (including All the Great Books (abridged), featuring Doug Harvey, Tr...
www.reducedshakespeare.com
April 30, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Playwrights Reed Martin & @austintichenor.bsky.social explain how they write their scripts by focusing on things that are funny to - and sometimes ONLY to - them. HEAR HERE (or wherever you get your podcasts)! @americantheatre.org www.reducedshakespeare.com/2025/04/funn...
This week's podcast is ready to go, but website glitches are preventing me from uploading! Thank you for having more patience than I do at this moment.
April 29, 2025 at 11:06 PM
This week's podcast is ready to go, but website glitches are preventing me from uploading! Thank you for having more patience than I do at this moment.
Shakespeare conducting all his characters, by the great @lartist.bsky.social. Happy 461st birthday, Will!!
From the Larchives: To celebrate the Bard's Birthday, here's the art I did for @reduced.bsky.social 's William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play (abridged). So much fun to work on :)
April 24, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Shakespeare conducting all his characters, by the great @lartist.bsky.social. Happy 461st birthday, Will!!