The Introductions Thread!

[shaxper]

I thought it might be a friendly idea to have a thread in which folks who are new to the board can introduce themselves.  Sort of makes joining a new board a little less threatening.  So, to all you new folks out there (and even the veterans who have been here since the begining...a week and a half ago ), feel free to introduce yourselves!

[shaxper]

Okay, I'll start.


Hey folks!  I'm shaxper.  I'm a 23 year old college graduate, who is lingering out in the real world, not yet ready to make the step towards Graduate School.

I was an English major, and discovered in my sophomore year that I really had a passion for Shakespeare.  Believe it or not, it was while watching Shakespeare in Love that it hit me.  I was trying to explain the in-jokes of the film to my girlfriend at the time, who simply didn't care.  I lost it when the creepy little kid said his name was John Webster, and I knew that evening that I had officially become a Renaissance drama dork.  I took as many Renaissance drama courses as I could after that, and discovered that I had a passion for the entire age and genre, not just Shaky.

I created this board just under two weeks ago.  Since college, I'd sort of been wandering from my passion.  Lately, I've found it hard to read when no one was making me, sadly enough.  So I created this site as a way to build my enthusiasm up again; to get me excited once more and get Renaissance drama back in my life.  So far, it's done wonders, and it's so much fun to be able to talk to other people who actively choose to read these great works, and not just because there's a grade involved.  I hope to head out to Grad School in a year or so, and eventually teach Renaissance Drama as a living.  In the meantime though, my goal is simply to get back in touch with what I love; to enjoy the freedom that being a college grad who can pay his bills with a part time monkey job brings.  And that's precisely what I'm doing here.


So hello.  Welcome ;D

[MsDirector]

Hi All,

Apparently I'm the "character woman" in this production!  

I'm Arlene, aka "MsDirector".  I am a professional stage director, and have been directing and acting in the NYC/NJ area for over 20 years.  In fact, I will be directing a wonderful new musical, "Belles of the Mill", in NYC this July for the Midtown International Theatre Festival.  

Although I have a BA from way back (in Medical Technology, would you believe), and an AA in Theatre Arts more recently, much of my knowledge of theatre in general and Shakespeare in particular came not through formal training, but rather through experience and my own personal exploration and discovery.  Although my theatrical knowledge is fairly extensive,  my literary knowledge is, in many ways, very rudimentary.  My focus is performance, not literary analysis.

I have loved Shakespeare since I was teen (and that was a loooooong time ago!), and have always loved reading his works and, even more, hearing his incredible words and seeing them come to life onstage (and, not so much, on film).  It has been a dream of mine for years to be able to direct - or perform - Shakespeare, and recently I have been making strides toward that goal.  I'm even working on my own adaptation of "The Passion of HAMLET", re-envisioned with the character of Hamlet as a woman!  And, no, it's not a feminist play, but a legitimate interpretation of Shakespeare's play, Shakespeare's words, and Shakespeare's greatest character which reveals aspects of Hamlet which have been largely ignored.  It's an exciting project and one I hope I get the chance to direct one day.

Other than that, I am married to a great guy who loves theatre almost as much as I do.  I have two grown kids (who used to run lines with me, and learned Shakespeare's words faster than I did!).  My son is an MIT graduate, who works in software design and directs and acts in his spare time.  MY daughter is an Equity Stage Manager and actor who is getting married in about 3 weeks to a wonderful guy who is a fabulous lighting designer!  Obviously theate runs in the family.

That's about it.  It's great to be here, and I'm enjoying the exchange.  Can't wait to hear about all of you.  Thanks, Shaxper, for creating a great site!

Best,
Arlene (MsDirector)

[Ultimate_Cheetor]

Hi im Ultimate_Cheetor,or UC,being my nickname.thats all the info i will divulge

[Ganymede]

Salutations!
I'm Ganymede/Rosalind.  Technically, I'm female, but generally I like to cultivate mystery about my gender identity.  If you haven't noticed, I'm into gender studies, not only in terms of Renaissance literature, but in every other time period and genre you can think of.  

I'm a graduating Senior (majoring in English) and am not entirely sure where my life is headed, but I'm trying to revel in my indecision.  I'm tired of being responsible and would like to live slowly and sensuously for a change.  

Along with an interest in literature, I also enjoy writing creatively-- poetry and fiction-- and painting and sewing and basically any other creative outlet you can think of.  I also like to cross-dress every now and then just to keep things exciting.  

[Abhorson]

Hi, I'm a 26 year old recent university dropout  , from the South of England. My main interest is in the field of maritime and naval history, but all History interests me, which is what has brought me to this board. My experience with Shakespeare is regretably limited to a minor selection of his works, although this is something I intend to change, though I expect I will be learning more from you then you do from me.

At this point in History I am drifting along, fighting against depression and trying to find some direction in which to proceed.

[inhiding]

I found your board through the ProBoards advertisement. I really like Shakespeare, and this is the first place I have found that I can talk about it.

[Harry]

Hi,

I'm really named Harry. That's what it says on my birth certificate. It happens, also, to be a great Shakespearean nickname.

I hate to admit my age. I'm older than Shakespeare was when he died. But, deep down, I know I'm really still a kid (and the Beatles are still together and the real Woodstock was just yesterday   ).

I'm not an English major. In fact, my degrees are in science. I don't teach anything. But, I've enjoyed Shakespeare for many years and found my first Shakespeare discussion site in 1996. Since then I've had a marvelous time talking to other Shakespeare friends and students from around the world.

[Bardolph]

I'm Bardolph.  Since the character Bardolph was hanged it's unlikely to find that it's already in use as a screen name.  It incorporates the word Bard so it has some value as a tribute to the man who brought us here.  I read a book when I was very young that quoted from The Tempest.  I then read the play and was fascinated with it.  That was over thirty years ago.  KB's H5 helped to reignite my adult interest in WS.  That was about ten years ago.  I've been reading steadily since, expanding my own Shakespeare library.  The WS website that I call home is the Surfing With the Bard site hosted by Amy Ulen at Shakespeare High.  I'm looking around seeing what other fora are out there.  

[Desdemona]

Hey, I'm a 19 year old student of Germanic languages (English and Dutch) from Belgium. Mainly I'm interested in anything that's related to 'art'. I studied graphic design for a few months, but I quickly found out that this specific branch is too narrow; in fact I'm more interested in written stuff and that's why I chose to switch to literature and language.

I have no real 'hobbies'; when I have a free moment, I just read, listen to music, go see a play or a movie, talk to people (a lot!   ), have a drink, ... the usual I guess.

I prefer renaissance literature--and most of all Shakespeare--because it creates this special atmosphere, which I like very much. When I read Shakespeare, I feel like I'm part of some lovely, peaceful world; being able to read such beautiful verses just makes me happy.

[litluver]

Well, I just joined up tonight!
My name is Sherree Williams- a lit teacher to homeschool high schoolers and mom to 4.
My mother instilled a love of literature in me, but I think it was my Sr. English teacher that gave me such a great love for Shakespeare! We studied Macbeth that year, and I memorized every monologue in the play.
I don't know why then I didn't start out in college with an Eng. major- but I didn't. In fact, I dropped out after 3 yrs. I have gone back in the meantime- It is amazing to me that the older I get the more I want to learn (it is too bad I didn't learn that when I was younger!  )
My love for literature (especially British) keeps growing-- It is a consuming passion to study more and more.
I do homeschool my 4 children (ages 15, 11, 8 and 5) and have done so for 10 years.
I LOVE teaching the high schoolers British lit and AMerican Lit. It is a great age and I do what I can to instill in them a love for literature that will last a lifetime.
I also have a drama club that we started this year. We just did our first production -- "Our Town"- I was so proud of them. - I probably need to talk to msdirector!!
I"m looking forward to getting to know everyone.
Sherree

[Dromio]

Hi, my name is Steve.  Although I was an English major in college (about 20 years ago), I have never worked in any field related to literature or wiriting.  I have enjoyed reading everything from non-fiction to poetry my whole life.  I studied Shakespeare in college, but never picked up his plays again until recently.  I really enjoy them and also enjoy reading your thoughts on the board here.

[N.N.W]

[glow=red,2,300] Hullloooo - My names John Austin, also known as Johnny-boy or Johnny A, or numerous other things on numerous chatsites. I am a former theatre theory student, umming and erring over whether or not to go back and do an M.A. in post modern performance art. I also Company manage the Charming Underclothes, Rocky Horror Performance cast in central London (we are currently dark!) Loverly to see such a devoted forum!    [/glow]

[The_Turtle]

The Turtle is yet another Master of Arts in English Literature, 26 years old, Dutch. He works at a legal publishing house but will soon start a new career as a high school English teacher (The Dutch equivalent of it at least). He is an avid reader, parttime student of philosophy and a sucker for a dram of Glenfiddich. Hís love for Shakespeare originated in military service. He saw Danny de Vito in Renaissance Man and decided he wanted to know more. In college his interest shifted somewhat and he finished a thesis on fairy-tale symbols in A.S. Byatt's work. Which brings us right to what The Turtle is doing here; returning to the source.

[Ophelia]

Greetings all! My name is Jenny (nickname Jenny Wren). I took the name Ophelia more because I like the name than because she is my favourite female Shakespeare character. I think Lady Macbeth is a better character, but not a character I am very similar to!

Information about me that is of relevance is that I am a Theatre student, currently studying renaissance theatre conditions, Doctor Faustus by Marlowe and The Trojan Women by Euripides. I have a strong interest in this subject, I don't think I have ever enjoyed a subject as much, though it is a lot of work.

I have always enjoyed Shakespeare's work: his plots, his characters, his use of language. I feel it is a great shame that Shakespeare being taught in schools has caused so many people to consider his work "boring". I have found this board very interesting, though I haven't explored it in its entirety yet, as there is quite a lot here and I want to look through thoroughly. I look forward to chatting with you all!