Bob Jones University Presents Shakespeare’s “Othello”

GREENVILLE, SC – April 23, 2012 – Bob Jones University (BJU) will present one of William Shakespeare’s tragedies, Othello, in Rodeheaver Auditorium at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 2, and at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 3.

The play is open to the public, and tickets are available at bju.edu/tickets or by calling (864) 770-1372.     Othello is a classic Shakespearean tragedy, said Darren Lawson, Dean of the School of Fine Arts and Communication for BJU. The scheming of Iago drives the plot, leading to the eventual unfolding of the tragedy surrounding Othello. The dynamic relationships among the characters are excellent and make for an exciting performance filled with love, envy, intrigue and treachery.

Last performed at BJU in 2002, Othello will be performed for the 13th time, dating back to its first performance in 1931. The 13 productions of the play join it with The Merchant of Venice for the most-staged play at BJU. New original music was commissioned for this year’s play and written by composer Brian Buda.

The cast is made up of BJU faculty, staff and students. Othello is played by faculty member Lonnie Polson, and Othello’s antagonist, Iago, is played by Jeff Stegall, a member of the communications faculty. Other roles include Desdemona and Cassio, played by communications faculty Becca Kaser and David Schwingle, as well as Roderigo, played by Ben Toler, a graduate student in performance studies.

Ticket prices are $30 for adults who wish to sit in the front sections and $25 for rear sections, full-time students are $12 for all sections.

Pictured: David Schwingle as Cassio (l); Lonnie Polson as Othello (c); Jeff Stegall as Iago (r).