Theater Spotlight of the Week: Catherine Hopkins

by Shawn Parikh

The Lord of the Flies has been gathering quite a buzz for the bold setting of post-Katrina New Orleans. I got a chance to talk to the co-Artistic Director and co-founder of PublicWorks Theatre Company, Catherine Hopkins, who is also directing the show.

Since the company originally started in London, I ask her how the company was able to transport to Dallas. She talks about the necessity of the company in the community and the mission statement that she is trying to accomplish for at-risk kids.

She talks about her goal in setting the show in modern times and what she hopes the audience will get out of it. Since the production is being performed by youth actors, I ask her how they deal with such a weighty topic and how they have learned and changed through the rehearsal process.

Finally, since the show is receiving help from Risk Theatre Initiative and Dallas Children's Theater, Hopkins talks about the tremendous community support and artists who have forgone a paycheck to get this show on its feet.

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