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Professor Takes On Iconic Role in Cleopatra
Christina Kirk
Title: Professor
Department: Theatre & Dance
Armed with a passion for performance research, professor of theatre and dance Christina Kirk’s recent sabbatical project has culminated into the most challenging role she has ever played – Cleopatra.

“I wanted to find a performance challenge as an actress that allowed me to explore avenues that I have not yet encountered. Playing the role of Cleopatra seemed like the ideal challenge,” Kirk said. “I was interested in contemporary research on Cleopatra that expands our perception of who this legendary woman really was.”

PNC Arts Alive and the Columbus Dance Theatre (CDT) will present Cleopatra at the Lincoln Theatre in Columbus on January 18 at 8 p.m. and January 19 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. The production will also be produced on tour at Towson University in Maryland in March.

Kirk, who served as dramaturg, script adapter and actress for the production, began by creating a script, adapted from Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra. The only characters who speak in the performance are Cleopatra and Antony, played by CDT’s artistic director, Tim Veach, who also served as the production’s director and choreographer, and is also Kirk’s husband. The rest of the story is rendered through dance – performed by the dancing version of Cleopatra (Jamie Kotrba) and Antony (Seth Wilson), video production and live music by the Carpe Diem String Quartet.

“We have dedicated much of our rehearsal to developing the sides of Cleopatra that explore her role as an astute politician and strategic negotiator. But we have also developed the love story between Antony and Cleopatra,” Kirk said.

While the production itself is breaking new ground in terms of mixing media to tell the story, Kirk said it has been fascinating to attempt to render a character that has become such an iconic legend.

“It can be intimidating to think about Cleopatra’s stature and size as a figure of both history and legend,” she said. “I have worked closely with my acting coach (and sister), Kathleen Kirk on finding an appropriate weight and power, while at the same time attempting to find her vulnerability and infinite variety.”

To purchase tickets, please call the CAPA Ticket Office at 614-469-0939 or Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, or visit www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and $15 for students.