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Wed, June 5 - 7:30pm
Intuition Bier Hall
929 E Bay St., JacksonvilleThurs, June 20 - 7:30pm
Intuition Bier Hall
929 E Bay St., Jacksonville
Click HERE to buy tickets! -
THIS PERFORMANCE IS OUTDOORS
Sat, September 21 - 7:30pm
King Maker Brewing
720 King St, Jacksonville, FL 32204
Sat, November 9 - 7:30pm
King Maker Brewing
720 King St, Jacksonville, FL 32204Click HERE to buy tickets!
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Sun, October 6 - 4:00pm
Bold City Brewery (Rosselle)
2670 Rosselle St #7, Jacksonville, FL 32204Click HERE to buy tickets!
ABOUT THE SHOW
(Note: Ticket includes 1 beverage of your choice)
The wildly popular off-kilter interactive Shakespeare sampler that toured local breweries in Lumen Rep’s inaugural season is back! Part Shakespeare, part interactive storytelling and part brewery tour, ShakesBeer: A Brewery Tour is an inventive foray into the world of the Bard that tackles theatre, art and craft brews at a breathtaking pace. This retooling of the popular show features a rotating ensemble of actors with new scenes, new tricks, and new surprises. Somewhat improvised and interactive, this slightly inebriated Shakespeare performance shines a light on scenes from some of Shakespeare’s most well-known plays while seamlessly flowing into an interactive show where the audience can be spectators, participants, beer drinkers … or all three!
DATES/TIMES & LOCATIONS
Wed, June 5 - 7:30pm at Intuition Bier Hall - 929 E Bay St., Jacksonville
Thurs, June 20 - 7:30pm at Intuition Bier Hall - 929 E Bay St., Jacksonville
Sat, September 7 - 7:30pm at King Maker Brewing - 720 King St, Jacksonville, FL 32204
THIS PERFORMANCE IS OUTDOORSSat, September 21 - 7:30pm at King Maker Brewing - 720 King St, Jacksonville, FL 32204
THIS PERFORMANCE IS OUTDOORSThurs, September 26 - 7:30pm at Ruby Beach Brewing - 228 E Forsyth St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
THIS PERFORMANCE IS OUTDOORSSun, October 6 - 4:00pm at Bold City Brewery (Rosselle) - 2670 Rosselle St #7, Jacksonville, FL 32204
Sat, November 9 - 7:30pm at King Maker Brewing - 720 King St, Jacksonville, FL 32204
THIS PERFORMANCE IS OUTDOORS
CAST
Jas Abramowitz
Josh Andrews
Rina Hajra-Gjoka
Katie Johnston
Amy Love
Nicole Maahs
Hayley Smith
Christopher Watson
DIRECTED BY
Brian Niece*
STAGE MANAGER
Faith Rautter
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Katie Swider
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Claire Cimino
* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.
Sponsored by:
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JAS ABRAMOWITZ
Jas is a writer, actor, and performance poet. He is originally from Overland Park, KS and spent 7 years in Chicago, IL before moving to Jacksonville in 2015. Jas has been in multiple films, plays and TV shows since moving to Jacksonville, and was most recently seen at Theatre Jacksonville in “Diary of Anne Frank” Jas has an actual play podcast, Prowlers & Paragons: Renaissance City, which can be found on all your favorite podcast platforms. Jas published a book of his original poetry through Spartan Press. “Purposefully Unintentional” is available through direct order or any online book retailer. When not on stage, on set, writing or podcasting, you will find Jas working full time for Magellan Transport Inc, a transportation logistics company. Jas is thankful for the support of his family, especially his partner Dolly Johnson, whose amazing support allows Jas the opportunity to pursue his passion for performance. He’s had an amazing experience with the super talented cast, crew and production team and is grateful for the chance to share this evening with you. You can follow Jas on social media via X @jasabramowitz.
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JOSH ANDREWS
Josh is an ardent proponent of professional arts in this region. A Jacksonville native, Josh long developed passions in three areas: theatre & film, photography, and faith in God. Josh was a featured actor in No Exit last season and a co-writer of Lumen Rep’s production of ShakesBeer: A Brewery Tour. Josh would like to specifically extend his gratitude to the other founders, Brian and Kristin, as well as the various donors, patrons, designers, fellow artists, board members, and volunteers that makes Lumen Repertory Theatre a reality for Northeast Florida. Finally, Josh would like to thank his close friends, his family, and his Lydia for their unyielding love and support. Offstage, Josh is a pro photographer — visit his website at jaxheadshots.co, and follow him on social media — @joshrews @jaxheadshots — #PayThePros
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RINA HAJRA-GJOKA
Rina is an actress and filmmaker. She is thrilled to be a part of Lumen Rep. Her recent roles include Vera in the award-winning film, My Sekret War, and Titania in Kevin McClatchy’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Rina’s film, My Sekret War, (Phoenix Film Festival, Los Angeles Film Awards, Dea Open Air International Fest), chronicles the life and redemption of a child of the Kosovo War. In 2024, Rina will debut her first documentary, Kept Promise, about Albania's rescue of refugees during the Holocaust. Rina holds an MFA in Acting from The Ohio State Univ., and she is an adjunct professor of theatre and Linklater voice. Rina would like to thank her dear husband and family for their support.
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KATIE JOHNSTON
Katie is an active member of the Jacksonville film and theatre community. Some of her favorite roles onstage include; Scarlet, Clue and Amanda, Private Lives (Theatre Jacksonville) Maggie, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Blue Fire Theatre) Kalonika, Lysistrata and Alicia, Small Mouth Sounds (The 5 & Dime) Queen of Hearts, Alice in a Christmas Wonderland (Jason Woods Productions) Belinda, Noises off and the title role in Sylvia (Players by the Sea.) Katie was voted “Best Actress” by Folio’s Best of The Beaches 2020 and “Best Comedian” by Folio’s Best of Jax 2019.
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AMY LOVE
Amy love has been in Love with Shakespeare’s words and plays a long time. She has been a local director for many years and most recently directed Alabama Story at Theatre Jacksonville. An MFA graduate of acting from a million years ago led her to New York City where she performed in plays and stand up. Since moving here from New York, the local theatre scene has been a great gift. Favorite local Shakespeare credits includes Katherine in Taming, Beatrice in Much Ado, and Helena in Midsummer. She has also directed Romeo and Juliet several times locally. Amy is grateful to flex her acting wings once more in this amazing ensemble, directing, and production team. When not in the creative theatre arts arena she is teaching Yoga at Hot Spot studio in San Marco as well as helping individuals find love with her matchmaking company Honey & Flame www.thehoneyandflame.com. She also has private acting students who she helps ready for the audition process as well. She also writes a column for Folio weekly online called “In the Name of Love” and is a part of a podcast team on wellness, love and longevity. She is a proud mother of 3 amazing kids and wife to one awesome best friend and husband Thomas. To contact Amy, email love@thehoneyandflame.com.
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NICOLE MAAHS
Nicole is so excited to join Lumen Rep’s cast of Shakesbeer. She has most recently appeared as Algernon in Limelight’s staged reading of The Importance of Being Earnest. Having graduated with her BFA in Acting from FSU and studying at the London theater program, she has enjoyed playing Shakespearean roles such as Hippolyta in PBaB’s Midsummer Nights Dream and Sebastian in Jobsite Theater’s The Tempest.
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HAYLEY SMITH
Hayley is incredibly excited to be working with Lumen Rep! She graduated from Florida School of the Arts with an AS in Musical Theatre and from Jacksonville University with a BFA in Acting. Some previous credits include touring Hansel and Gretel With Missoula Children’s Theatre, Cha Cha in Grease, Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music and Kanga in Winnie the Pooh. Hayley would like the thank her family, friends and boyfriend Colton for their constant love and support!
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CHRISTOPHER WATSON
Christopher could not be more excited to join Lumen Rep and this troupe of roving Shakespearean actors! Chris has dabbled on a few local stages; lately you may have seen him as Eliot in Private Lives, the Mad Hatter in Alice In A Christmas Wonderland, or Robert in Boeing Boeing. During the day he teaches 5th grade math and looks forward to rehearsal in the evenings.
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BRIAN NIECE* - Director & Sound Design
Brian is a multidisciplinary creative hailing from Nashville, TN where he served as the founding Artistic Director of People’s Branch Theatre. As a longtime member of Actors’ Equity Association and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, he’s been an actor, director, writer, designer, and producer in scores of professional theatre productions. His professional training includes Anne Bogart’s SITI company, and work in Tadashi Suzuki’s methods of physicality. He currently is Professor of Humanities and Theatre at SJR State, and adjuncts in acting, philosophy, and theology at several other universities. He holds degrees in Theatre Arts & English Literature (BA), Theology (MA), and is a PhD Candidate in Humanities. Brian and his wife, Heather, share life with their three unpredictable kids.
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FAITH RAUTTER - Stage Manager
Faith fell in love with the theatre at a young age and attended the 1st theatre magnet high school in El Paso, Texas. She did some acting but really enjoyed working backstage. “There is nothing better than creating a world out of some paint, fabric, lighting, and music,” she says. Faith worked at the El Paso Playhouse for several seasons until she moved to Jacksonville 24 years ago. She had previously been out of the scene as she focused on the joy of her life, Abigail. Faith thanks her for all of her support and gives all glory to God! This is Faith’s second season assisting with Lumen Rep and she is excited to work with some amazing talent. Huzzah!
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KRISTIN LIVINGSTON - Production Manager
Kristin is a proud alumnus of FSCJ, FSU and UNF. She has more than a decade of experience in arts education and has worked for many arts organizations in Jacksonville, including the Wilson Center for the Arts, Alhambra Dinner Theatre, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and Cathedral Arts Project. Kristin currently is a partner at Galloway Gonzalez consulting, which provides operational and strategic leadership and support to emerging, mid-level and established arts & culture organizations, nonprofits and creative businesses. In addition, she is an adjunct theatre professor at Jacksonville University. Kristin is an active member of the Jacksonville theatre community as a stage manager, director and actor. She has served on the board of directors for The 5 & Dime and was a member of the 2018 ImpactJAX Hightower Emerging Leaders Fellowship class. Above all of her accomplishments, she is most proud to be called mom by her three year old son, Myles.
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CLAIRE CIMINO - Props
Claire is grateful she's able to continue to work with incredibly talented people in the many theaters throughout the city. Most recent productions: The Cake (Director - PBTS); VINCENT (Lumen Rep); The Royale (5 & Dime); Opposite of Normal & Lady Day (PBTS); Thurgood (Theater Jax); Alice in Wonderland and Radio Golf (ABET).
DIRECTOR’S NOTES
Live theatre breaking the fourth wall, without a pre-determined roadmap, with some good Shakespeare thrown in along the way: that’s what makes this slightly off-the-rails production so exciting. We hope you enjoy the interactive nature of helping our fine ensemble of actors determine what comes next. This whole thing is really in keeping with the spirit of the original setting of Shakespeare’s Globe theatre from 500 years ago. There, performers and audience members interacting in real time. Things that just happened were incorporated into the flow of the event. Each production was new and different because of who was there and what surprises popped up.
We love making professional theatre not only engaging, but accessible. This type of atmosphere is what makes live performance art still so viable, vital, and unique: even 500 years later!
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