Leaving Shakespeare is what happens when the tragic women of his plays refuse their fate.
Ripped out of time, freed from archaic language and predetermined endings, they step into a new world—one where they are no longer bound to suffer, sacrifice, or disappear. Here, they get to choose.
Juliet doesn’t die for love—she questions it. Lady Macbeth doesn’t unravel alone—she gets help. Ophelia doesn’t drown—she wakes up. The witches don’t just predict the future—they take control of it.
In bold, unexpected, and often hilarious new circumstances, these iconic women are given something they were never allowed before: Agency. Power. Voice. A second chance.
For centuries, Shakespeare’s heroines have been trapped in cycles of tragedy—silenced, sidelined, or destroyed in service of someone else’s story. Leaving Shakespeare flips the script.
What if they lived? What if they healed? What if they thrived?
Watch as Desdemona, Emilia, Bianca, Gertrude, Calpurnia, Cleopatra, and more rise out of the wreckage of their original fates and into something entirely new—supporting each other, rewriting their narratives, and discovering who they are when the story is finally theirs.
It’s bold. It’s irreverent. It’s deeply human. And yes—it’s very, very satisfying.
Because you can’t change everything for everyone… but you can change everything for the women who were never given the chance.
Reviews
Leaving Shakespeare is a clever, sharp adaptation of “Shake’s” literature bringing some old themes into the modern world. Kudos to the writer(s) and actors for their brilliant and passionate performances which brought up intense feelings within the audience. The show tackles complex dynamics in a humorous, lighthearted and healing manner.
Kristin G. “Thoroughly enjoyed this show!!!!”
I would describe Leaving Shakespeare as engaging and engrossing. Even as someone who isn’t familiar with all of the characters explored, I found myself drawn into their stories and wanting to learn more. Getting to experience the action/drama taking place in many locations and levels around the theater was a new and captivating experience!
Catherine A. “I thoroughly enjoyed how Dana Beardsley Crotwell explored new possibilities for Shakespeare’s female characters through such a wide variety of contexts.”
I have been following Dana Beardsley Crotwell for many years. Her poems and writings are visceral. I throughly enjoyed how the most famous women of literary time were reinvigorated in modern day empowerment and intertwined with modern day issues. Loved how Dana Beardsley incorporates current trends such as marriage counseling to Shakespeare’s former silenced women. Each act was identifiable to the individual audience member. I found the actors exceptional! Hope to see this play on a bigger stage one day!
Kelley W. “The writing of Leaving Shakespeare, the direction production, and acting was superb.”
Thoroughly enjoyable take on how we could center Shakespeare’s women.
Anonymous“The acting was top notch. The space was adorable. It was interactive and fun!”
Shakespeare wrote about women and in so doing often gave them limiting voices. Leaving Shakespeare—through the muse of Dana Crotwell—allows the women to speak for themselves, to own their strengths and weaknesses, and to come to terms with their various predicaments. A nice blend of humor and solemnity, the play wonderfully explores issues that women have faced well before and since the bard wrote about them.
Bruce P.“Loved the balance of humor with seriousness.
What a unique play this was. Using Shakespeare’s female characters as a launching point to illustrate women’s issues today, that’s a bold undertaking! There was humor, compassion and the sketches even illustrated constructive solutions for resolving typical relationship problems. The actors did a great job in their multiple roles and diverse characters. It was a very heartfelt play and the content stuck with me long after it was over.
Deborah N.“I liked the pace of the sketches and the variety of topics and situations.”
Leaving Shakespeare shines a light on the depth and complexity of Shakespeare’s heroines by intertwining their stories with the realities of modern womanhood to present an engaging mix of beautifully poignant and sharply funny vignettes. It’s a production that feels both timeless and so relevant to the current moment. You’ll walk away wishing this was the version of Shakespeare you’d been taught in English class!
Sara S.“Liked the intimate and immersive staging, versatile performers, and smart dialogue made for an amazing audience experience!”
The About the Work Studio space worked beautifully, the cast was beyond talented, and the script was fantastic. Such a joy and an honor to be involved (as an audience member) of the World Premiere of such a fantastic evening. Leaving Shakespeare is brilliant! A must see for anyone who always imagined an alternate ending to the Romeo & Juliet tragedy.
Dana M.“Bravo!”
Leaving Shakespeare thoughtfully weaves the stories of women who re-tell their truth with humor, passion and a refusal to accept history’s version of their lives. Dana Crotwell gives Shakespeare’s women a well deserved voice! I loved the clever dialogue with references to what women face from Shakespeare to modern times, variety of the characters’ emotions and movement around the entire stage and beyond.
Jennifer A.“I enjoyed all of it!”
Amazing show, really enjoyed the modernization of Shakespeare while being true to the original text!
Anonymous“I liked the interaction with the crowd. Acting and writing.”
