About This Production

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” While mourning his father’s sudden death, Prince Hamlet returns home to discover his mother hastily remarried and his despised uncle assuming the throne. When an apparition of the late king accuses the uncle of murder, Hamlet, pushed to the brink of madness, is driven to avenge a crime that could be the product of his own imagining. Torn between thought and action, the manic prince is left questioning what is real and what he alone has dreamed up. The cornerstone of Shakespeare’s genius, Hamlet walks the line between spiraling insanity and the truth.

Shakespeare in American CommunitiesOrlando Shakes’ production of Hamlet is part of Shakespeare in American Communities, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Critic and Audience Reviews

Eyes glittering, Nyong'o makes it clear that Hamlet's madness does indeed have a method to it.

-Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Shakes has proven once again that with the right team...even the marathon that is Hamlet can leave you craving even more.

-McKenzie Lakey, BroadwayWorld Orlando

Creative Team

Director: Brian Vaughn
Scenic Designer: Jim Hunter**
Lighting Designer: Bert Scott**
Costume Designer: Jack Smith
Sound Designer: Britt Sandusky
Fight Choreographer: Tony Simotes
AEA Stage Manager: Emily DeNardo*
AEA Assistant Stage Manager: Kaylyn Kriaski*

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association
**Member of United Scenic Artists

Meet the Cast

Junior Nyong'o

Junior Nyong’o*

Hamlet
Susan Maris

Susan Maris*

Ophelia
Paige Lindsey White

Paige Lindsey White*

Gertrude
Gene Gillette

Gene Gillette*

Claudius
Greg Thorton

Greg Thornton*

Player King/Gravedigger 1
Dan Kremer

Dan Kremer*

Polonius
Adam Reilly

Adam Reilly

Laertes
Kenny Babel

Kenny Babel*

Ghost/Ensemble
Rudy Roushdi

Rudy Roushdi*

Horatio
Mandi Lee

Mandi Lee

Herda/Player Queen
Amanda Anne Dayton

Amanda Anne Dayton

Bernardo/Guildenstern
Headshot of Carlos Pereyo

Carlos Pereyo*

Cornelius/Player-Lucianus/Fortinbras
Andy Hansen

Andy Hansen

Marcellus/Player/Osric
Terence Lee

Terence Lee

Francisco/Rosencrantz
Daniel Romano

Daniel Romano

Voltemand/Player-Prologue/Captain/English Ambassador
Daniel James Roth

Daniel James Roth

Reynaldo/Player-Queen/Messenger/Gravedigger 2