Welcome!

The Unrehearsed Shakespeare Project (USP), which is produced by The New Renaissance Theatre Company (NRTC), a Pittsburgh-based 501 (c)(3) non-profit, specializes in the performance of William Shakespeare's plays using the Unrehearsed Cue Script Technique (also known as an Historically Informed Practice). 

---

---

The Cast of USP's 2018 Tour

Nick Benninger (Protheus) is a Pittsburgh-based actor and a new member of The New Renaissance Theatre Company! He graduated from Slippery Rock University in 2013 with a degree in Theatre for acting. He appeared with The Unrehearsed Shakespeare Project’s productions of Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Romeo and Juliet. Other credits include Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Park (Comedy of Errors, King Lear, As You Like It), Unseam’d Shakespeare Company (The Tempest, or The Enchanted Isle), Future Tenant 12 Festival, and The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival. He works as a Box Office Associate for City Theatre Company and as a barista at Starbucks. Kauleen Cloutier is beyond thrilled to be joining the NRTC and getting to spend some serious time with the Bard. He is such a foul and witty fellow! She is excited to be diving back into the Pittsburgh theatre scene, where she has played some of her favorite roles, including Belinda Blair (Noises Off), Doris Waverly (The Owl and the Pussycat), and Aldonza (Man of La Mancha). When not on stage, Kauleen works as a voice actor and a tutor. Joe Connelly is excited to be part of this magnificent adventure brought to us by The Bard! He has performed in many Shakespeare shows over the years, most notably with Poor Yorick's Players. He's also performed with Stage 62 (Yo, Vikings!), McKeesport Little Theater (Charlie's Aunt), The Theater Factory (Caberet, Wit), and many more. You can also find him making laughs as an improvisor at Arcade Comedy Theater. Joanna Getting (Lucetta / Thurio / Outlaw) is a Pittsburgh native and third-generation Pitt graduate who is delighted to appear again with NRTC, having most recently acted in the 2017 Tour. Shakespearean (rehearsed) acting credits include Falstaff (Merry Wives), Gloucester (Lear), Princess of France (Love’s Labour’s Lost), Mistress Overdone (Measure for Measure adaptation, 2016 Cincinnati Fringe Festival), and two Nurses (Romeo + Juliet adaptation, Titus). Joanna was nominated for Best Actress in the 2014 NYC Take Ten Festival, and she has directed or assistant directed three Shakespearean plays. Thanks to Charlene and Andy, and infinite love and gratitude to mom, dad, and Brad. Calema Graham is super honored to be working with The New Renaissance Theater Company's 2018 USP Summer Tour. She was last seen in Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband (Lady Basildon) at the Glitterbox Theater. Favorite Shakespeare credits include Nerissa from The Merchant of Venice and Hermia from A Midsummer Night's Dream. She has worked with theaters around Pittsburgh and is excited to make her USP debut! Alex Haney is a Pittsburgh-based actor who is currently enrolled in the theatre program at CCAC South Campus. He plans to eventually transfer to a four year college and pursue a career in the field of theatre education. Outside of his college stage experience, this will be Alex’s first professional production. Play Pause

---

Catch up on USP's Blog

Andy Kirtland

Check out The Unrehearsed Shakespeare Project's blog for the latest thoughts from our directors and actors about what we do, why we do it, and on the world of Shakespeare past, present and future.

Our latest blog post by Artistic Director Andy Kirtland, shares some insight on why As you Like it​ holds a special place in his heart.
Click on the title below to read all about it!

Looking Back at 'As you Like it'

---

---

"As veteran unrehearsed cue-script performers, Andy Kirtland and Elizabeth Ruelas are passionate and adept at making Shakespeare's First Folio text come alive. By using original performance techniques, 'Unrehearsed Shakespeare Project' workshops and performances illuminate Shakespeare's works in exciting and unexpected new ways."
---Demitra Papadinis (Teacher and Director of the Unrehearsed Cue Script Technique for over 20 years, Founder and Producing Artistic Director of The New England Shakespeare Festival, and Author of Frankly Annotated First Folio Editions of Shakespeare's Plays)

---

The Unrehearsed Shakespeare Project Mission

Much adoe about Nothing, 2015 Tour

Our mission is to perform the works of William Shakespeare using the Unrehearsed Cue Script Technique in order to expose our community to unique productions that bring the audience and performers together in a way that only theatre can.  We teach actors to find cues and clues that Shakespeare put into his scripts enabling them to make the plays the entertainments the playwright intended.  We tell the stories.  You interpret them.

---

---

Sign up today to start receiving USP news, updates & announcements via The New Renaissance Theatre Company newsletter!