Actor Geoffrey Owens to Present Artist Talk and Shakespeare Workshop at Rhodes College

head and shoulder image of an actor

Rhodes College’s Department of Theatre and Hattiloo Theatre are bringing actor Geoffrey Owens to the McCoy Theatre, located on the college’s campus, this weekend, Feb. 7 and Feb. 8.

Open to the public, events include “An Evening With Geoffrey Owens,” featuring a conversation with Hattiloo Theatre artistic director Ekundayo Bandele on Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m., and a workshop, “Taking The Fear Out of Shakespeare: Acting Master Class,” on Feb. 8. from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Both events are free. 

Owens has built a distinguished career as an actor, director, and teacher in theater, television, and film since graduating from Yale University. He has performed many roles such as Richard III and Othello on stage including, at the New York Shakespeare Festival, and he has appeared in Romeo and Juliet on Broadway.  Owens’ films include Wilde Salome, directed by Al Pacino, and The Paper, directed by Ron Howard. His television credits include The Cosby Show, Law and Order, That’s So Raven, Bluebloods, and Medium, just to name a few. 

“We were excited to hear about Geoffrey Owens’ successful masterclass held at Hattiloo Theatre in 2019, and now are happy to co-sponsor the workshop, which will bring together local performers and student performers for an Acting Shakespeare Intensive,” says Dr. Joy Brooke Fairfield, assistant professor of theatre at Rhodes. “We feel lucky to offer this opportunity this semester, while we are focusing on highlighting various contemporary approaches to early modern texts. Other guests this semester include Carmen-maria Mandley from Tennessee Shakespeare Company and Nick Hutchison, an esteemed actor and director from London who has worked with many companies there.”

For more information about Owens’ visit to Rhodes, contact the McCoy Theatre at (901) 843-3839.