Episode 097 - 225 Theatre Artistic Director Stephanie Bartage on Adapting THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION

Whether it makes you giggle, gasp, weep or tap your feet, a live theatre performance - be it of a play or a musical - is an experience that can breathe new life into everything from Hamlet to Hamilton. Across America and around the world, theatre companies of all sizes bring that experience to their communities, with each production making the most of local and regional talent on and off stage. One of those companies is the 225 Theatre Collective, based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Though it’s only been in operation for over a year, the non-profit collective has already made its mark on the fine arts community in the Pelican State thanks to its commitment to diverse casting and production teams, as well as its equally diverse and forward-thinking creative leadership. The 225 Theatre Collective is the brainchild of its founder and artistic director, Stephanie Bartage. An accomplished performer who’s also specialized in various roles behind the scenes, Bartage’s first turn at directing came last January in the company’s acclaimed staged reading of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic The Great Gatsby, an innovative production that powerfully showcased diverse talent by featuring a Black actor - LSU theatre graduate Marq Parks - in the title role. Her second now comes in its upcoming production of Stephen King’s equally revered novella-turned Oscar-nominated milestone The Shawshank Redemption, which will hold three performances: Friday, August 25th and Saturday, August 26th (both at 7:30 PM Central time) and concluding with a matinee on Sunday, August 27th at 2:30. The play will take place at the LSU Studio Theatre, located inside the Music and Dramatic Arts Building on the LSU Campus, at 4230 Dalrymple Drive. General admission tickets cost $25, while LSU students can see the show for $15. To order tickets, and to find out more about the 225 Theatre Collective's work, visit their web site: https://www.225theatrecollective.com/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/225TC On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/225tc/ On Linktree: https://linktr.ee/225theatre Follow The Viewfinder Podcast on X: https://www.twitter.com/ViewfinderPod On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheViewfinderPodcast Music by Audionautix.com