A Woman Of Will — Tina Packer — Launches Her Book At S&Co.

Lisa Green reports from Lenox. Over many years, audiences have gravitated to performances by Shakespeare & Company Founding Artistic Director Tina Packer, and they were just as attracted to the launch and celebration of her much-anticipated book, Women of Will: Following the Feminine  in Shakespeare’s Plays. On Saturday, April 25, nearly 200 of her fans, S&Co staff members and actors past and present gathered at the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre, where Packer [photo, left] and Nigel Gore presented selections from the stage work of "Women of Will," followed by a Q&A, reception and book signing. During the presentation, Packer explained why she was inspired to explore Shakespeare’s changing understanding of women and how his journey is reflected in his writing.  The powerful scenes enacted and Packer’s deep insights into Shakespeare’s development as a person and playwright only increased the audience’s admiration for her contributions to the company. “I feel like I was just witness to something transcendental," said a woman as she left the event. Indeed.

S&Co Interim Co-Artistic Directors Jonathan Croy and Ariel Bock; Elizabeth Aspenlieder, Communications Director/Artistic Associate and Kevin Coleman, a company founder and the director of education.

Shakespeare & Company educators: Dara Silverman, Douglas Seldin, Maizy Broderick Scarpa and Josh Aaron McCabe.

Tina Packer and Nigel Gore in a scene from "Taming of the Shrew;" Sally Sugarman, theater blogger and host of a radio program devoted to theater on WBTN, and David Joseph, who will appear in this season's production of "Henry V."

Dennis Karusnick, another founder of the company and director of training; Janet Kalas, "dicoverer of sound" at S&Co., Lezlie Lee, a director in the education department, and Kevin Coleman.