Delaware Shakespeare Announces New Leadership

The contents of this post comes from a press release from Delaware Shakespeare... 

Delaware Shakespeare will begin 2024 with two dynamic arts leaders heading up the state’s largest professional Shakespeare company:

• Mariah Ghant, now the artistic associate and literary manager for the Wilma Theater in Philadelphia, will become Delaware Shakespeare’s artistic director.
• Robert Tombari, now the program director of Goshen Theater in Goshen, Indiana, will step into the role of managing director.

DelShakes' new Managing Director, Robert Tombari,
and new Artistic Director, Mariah Ghant. 

“After a months-long search, the board and I are incredibly excited to welcome Mariah and Robert to Delaware, and to introduce our audiences to them,” said Julie Russ, president of the board of Delaware Shakespeare. “Individually, they impressed us with their talent, their passion, and their drive to continue the work that David Stradley has pursued over the last decade. Together, they’ll be unstoppable.”

Delaware Shakespeare audiences will recognize Ghant as having played Hippolyta/Titania in the company’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Rodney Square, and last summer as the title role in Macbeth. She has served a term on the Delaware Shakespeare Artistic Squad and has held various arts administration roles in Philadelphia, as well as being a former Arden Theatre Company Apprentice (Class 26), a member of Theatre Contra, and an improviser with ComedySportz Philly. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, she is an alumna of Vassar College.

"I have a strong desire to continue making meaningful art for the Delaware community, a vibrant collection of folks and organizations who have embraced me and my artistry,” Ghant said. “This is a team and an organization that has an incredible opportunity to develop theatre for everyone in the community, and I look forward to the journey ahead!"

Tombari has been the program director of Goshen Theater since 2022. Robert and his partner, Peter, are both from Spokane, Washington. While living in Washington, Robert co-founded The Spokane Shakespeare Society, served as board president of Stage Left Theater, and was the executive director of Spokane Ensemble Theatre. He has previously served on the board of Goshen Pride, and is a current board member/production team member of The Cursed Players based in Los Angeles. He received his BA in Performance from Boise State University, and his MFA in Acting from The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

“It’s exciting to be joining such an amazing organization as Del Shakes,” Tombari said. “The work that previous leadership, board members, artists, creatives, and volunteers have done for this organization shows me how community minded and forward thinking it is, and I am excited to continue to work for and with my new community.”

David Stradley has led Delaware Shakespeare as the company’s producing artistic director since 2011, spearheading a period of exponential growth that saw the creation of the Delaware Shakespeare Community Tour and art programming throughout the state. He will step down from his role at the end of the year.

"I'm elated that Mariah and Robert have said 'yes' to leading Del Shakes during its continued evolution as a community-centered theatre company,” Stradley said. “It's been an honor to work with Mariah as a member of the Artistic Squad and watch her lead a wide variety of programs that spoke to a broad mix of Delawareans. And I can already tell that Robert is going to be a force upon his arrival in Wilmington, embracing the opportunity to provide theatre for as many of his new neighbors as possible. I look forward to supporting them both, and joining you all as audiences for the thrilling experiences that are coming our way."

Ghant and Tombari will announce plans for the 2024 season of Delaware Shakespeare early next year.

About Delaware Shakespeare
Now in its twenty-first season, Delaware Shakespeare creates year-round professional theatre and learning programs for residents and friends of the State of Delaware. At Del Shakes, people from all walks of life celebrate and explore their shared humanity through the lens of Shakespearean work.

Macbeth Comes to Life in Innovative DelShakes Production

By Mike Logothetis
Theater reviewer Mike Logothetis grew up in North Wilmington, performing in school and local theater productions. He lives in Newark, but you can find him wherever the arts are good.

The ensemble fights for Scotland. Photo by Alessandra Nicole.

Macbeth comes to life in an innovative production by Delaware Shakespeare in its 21st year of outdoor theatre at beautiful Rockwood Park. Utilizing two stages keeps the action moving as theater patrons descend the chute of bloody tragedy that is “The Scottish Play.” (Actors dare not speak its name during a production run.) Director AZ Espinoza has their cast enter and exit both stages from a variety of angles which changes the audience’s collective perspective as scenes change.

“By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes.” — The Witches

The classic Shakesperean tale of Macbeth exposes the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition to those who seek power. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, celebrated general Macbeth (Mariah Ghant) slays King Duncan (Katherine Perry) and takes the Scottish throne for himself. But he is quickly consumed by guilt and suspicion of those closest to him.

Consequently, Macbeth is forced to commit more murders and spiral deeper into paranoia and
tyrannical rule. The bloodbath swiftly takes Macbeth and his queen (Ciera Gardner) into the realms of madness and eventual death.

That’s my summary of the plot, but if you arrive at the park early, you can see four actors perform a “Macbeth in two minutes” routine which is hysterical and pretty accurate. Other pre-show entertainment includes a game of “Scottish Ninja Warrior” involving a spirited version of Capture the Flag and a dance-off. There is a nightly “orientation” at 6:50 before the comedy bits and games begin. The actual play runs just under 2.5 hours with one 15-minute intermission.

“What’s done cannot be undone.” — Lady Macbeth

The power of Macbeth resides in our sympathy with those who are spiraling downward. Ghant and especially Gardner take us with them as they journey to deeper and deeper depths of despair. We witness Gardner’s Lady Macbeth gleefully bathing in power yet to be assumed (or earned). We see literal blood on the hands of Macbeth after his unspeakable deeds. The Witches foretold this “violent sorrow” in the opening act, but how things unfold is revelatory.

Hecate (Katherine Perry) and the three witches
(CJ Higgins, Rachel O’Hanlon-Rodriguez,and Kimie Muroya)
greet Macbeth (Mariah Ghant).
Photo by Alessandra Nicole.

Returning to the Witches or Weird Sisters…
they are the best part of the show. CJ Higgins, Kimmie Muroya, and Rachel O’Hanlon-Rodriguez dominate the natural (and supernatural?) setting with their synchronized physical movements, pitter-patter of language, and eerie energy. The arrival of Hecate (Katherine Perry), queen of the witches, only enhances the mystical power of the coven. They also get the benefit of special effects like a smoke machine and spooky audio reverb in their microphones.

Other highlights of the production were the rhythmic dance-style murder of Banquo (Zach Valdez); the ghost of Duncan grabbing his buried crown; the changing of tartans upon new leadership; sword fighting without props; and the diverse cast taking on multiple roles successfully.

Attending performances outside in the round at Rockwood Mansion is a delight that longtime area theater-lovers and budding fans should make plans to experience. The entire Festival area is wheelchair accessible. It is necessary to traverse a gravel walkway and a grass lawn. The seating area is on a grass lawn and patrons should bring their own blankets or chairs. Picnicking is welcomed and light concessions featuring foods from Janssen’s Market will be on sale.

Macbeth runs from July 21 through August 6 with gates opening 75 minutes early for pre-show entertainment and picnics. Curtain is at 7:30 from Wednesdays through Saturdays and at 6 on Sundays. (Timing for pre-show events will alter accordingly for Sunday performances.)

General admission is $25 with discounted tickets for seniors and active military ($22) as well as students ($20). Sundays are Family Nights when children 12 and under are welcomed for free with a paid adult. New this year are “Pay-What-You-Can Wednesdays” where patrons can choose from a variety of ticket prices.

The 2023 Delaware Shakespeare season will include two full productions – the current Summer Festival (Macbeth) and a fall Community Tour (Cymbeline) spanning October 4-22. As usual, the Community Tour will bring high quality Shakespeare performances to non-traditional locations such as homeless shelters, prisons, and community centers.

“For Scotland!” — Company