POPArt is thrilled to announce our first ever International residency collaboration!

Developed in collaboration with the Market Theatre Laboratory Alumni Company, Kwasha! and Christopher D Betts (recipient of the Julie Taymor World Theatre Fellowship at New York University) throughout April, this will be a one of a kind adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors” with input from an African and African-American experience. 

A play within a play: A South African acting troupe is rehearsing Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors. Rehearsal takes an unexpected turn when the “director” attempts to shift the performances toward the West’s standard of authenticity.

This project is brought to you by POPArt in collaboration with the Market Theatre Lab and Windybrow Arts Centre

ABOUT OUR ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: 

A New York based Director from Chicago, Illinois. Christopher received his BFA in Drama with triple honors from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts (NYU Commencement Bachelor’s Representative for Tisch). At NYU he studied Experimental Theatre, and Musical Theatre. He began directing after having his production of CARRIE: The Musical discovered by author of the musical and original film, Lawrence Cohen. This lead Christopher to direct a professional production of CARRIE (2015 BroadwayWorld.com Boston Best Musical Nomination) and collaborate with the show's writing team to update the script and score. Christopher’s contributions to CARRIE can be found on The Rodgers and Hammerstein website.  

     At The Public Theater Christopher has worked as a Movement Director for the World Premiere of Barbecue. He has also worked at The Public as a Playwright’s Assistant to Tarell Alvin McCraney (Head of Passes). Other collaborations include the Obie Award winning Fire this Time Festival, and the New York Premiere of The Cave: A Folk Opera. Recipient of The Williamstown Theatre Festival’s Christopher Reeve Full-Ride Apprentice Scholarship, Founding Member of The Youth Arts Council at The Goodman Theatre, Member of the 2016-2017 & 2017-2018 SDCF Observership class, Artist in Residence at Kampala International Theater Festival. Currently Christopher is traveling the world as the 2017-2018 recipient of The Julie Taymor World Theater Fellowship. Upcoming: Artist in Residence at Pop Art Johannesburg, Teaching Artist - The Lab at The Market Theatre, Johannesburg.

Audience Responses

I didnt understand the actors as the majority was spoken in local languages. Please indicate clearly in future programming in which language the play will be in.