Shakespeare specialist returns to theatre department for semester

WRITTEN BY GINNY SPELLMAN, STAFF REPORTER

Tim Hardy is returning to campus this November, again as the Christel DeHaan Visiting International Theatre Artist (V.I.T.A).

Back in 2009 and 2011, Hardy graced Butler University’s Department of Theatre with his talents and insight on Shakespearean performance. Under the auspices of V.I.T.A., prominent theatre artists from abroad reside in Indianapolis for approximately 8-10 weeks, teaching special seminars in the theatre department and directing a theatrical event.

Hardy is joined by his wife, Alison Skilbeck, who is also an actor. She will be performing “Are There More of You?” in the Schrott Center in late September.

Hardy studied at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and acted with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He has directed and performed in many productions across the Europe and the United States such as “Henry V” and “The Shrew.”

His professional experience with Shakespeare plays makes him a great fit to direct the theatre department’s fall production of “Romeo and Juliet.”

There is a mix of enthusiasm and nervousness in the air as students prepare for the play’s auditions, and it may be heightened by Hardy’s presence on campus.

Sophomore Rhett Dial said he hopes he can learn from and impress Hardy.

“I’m very excited to work with him, but there is also some trepidation,” Dial said. “I have to immediately jump into auditions, so there’s also this nervousness to gain his approval and not have him hate me.”

While some students may be nervous, others look forward to seeing how a professional works and what it’s like to work with one.

Junior Julia Levine said she is eager to work with a Shakespeare expert on a Shakespeare play.

“In one sense, I’m looking forward to gaining more experience with Shakespeare and the production of a Shakespeare work,” Levine said. “But I’m also looking forward to getting to know Tim and his professional background and to see what network he brings with him.”

Junior Gloria Graham said she is also looking forward to learning from Hardy.

“I think it’s an honor to have someone with his prestige to come and teach us,” Graham said. “It will be cool to see the insight he can give us about professional theatre and how it compares (in Europe) to how it is over here.”

Senior Logan Moore, who was among those able to learn from Hardy in 2011, said he is thrilled for Hardy’s return to Butler.

“Tim is an amazing guy,” Moore said. “The cool thing about Tim is he always brings something new to the table—like the way he thinks about Shakespeare—and he knows what he wants. But he’ll also take people’s opinions and he works with you. That’s something that’s hard to find in a director, I think.”

“Romeo and Juliet” opens on Nov. 13 in the Schrott Center. Hardy is also performing a one-man show about Galileo’s heresy trial, opening on Sept. 20.

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“Are There More of You?”

Written and performed by Alison Skilbeck.

Sept. 19 and 21 in the Schrott Center.

“Galileo”

Performed by Tim Hardy

Schrott Center

Sept. 20-21, 7 p.m.

“Romeo and Juliet”

Directed by Tim Hardy

Schrott Center