THE OTHELLO ARGUMENT
Original Play by: William Shakespeare
Adaptation by: Neil Truglio
© Modest Arts
Director: Neil Truglio
Set Design: Anthony Lauro
Light Design: Kurt Morgan
Costume Design: Chantelle Frazier
Photo Credits: Sean Dolan
The Othello Argument was originally presented in April of 2014.
"The Othello Argument is the culmination of work by a company of actors and technicians whose main goal was to present the story of Othello in a modern context. Set to the music of Kanye West, The Othello Argument combines the original Shakespeare text with a series of modern vignettes derived from the story and inspired by the seven deadly sins. The production also looked at racial divides in power struggles including the President of the United States, who the company viewed as a clear example of a black man in power that was undermined by a white majority. Using masks, the actors and technicians created a play within a play where the actors themselves fall into their own tragic Othello story; manipulated by an assistant director who is hell bent on bringing down the director and thus the play itself. The set was entirely designed as a steel structure comprised of ladders and chains that could move positions creating an environment where the actors could manipulate the world to their needs. Above the set hung a giant mask that served as a projectable surface and whose eyes could light up and pierce through the action. It also played a major part in the surprise tragic ending where the entire show imploded on itself right in front of the audience."