LES Shakespeare is a young socially conscience ethnically diverse theatre company. We are committed to reaching out to the Lower East Side/East Village community and promoting accessibility to all while focusing on classical works using innovative ideas; and collaborating within an ensemble. LES Shakes’ focus is to shake up Shakespeare, create like Shakespeare, and reach out to the community.

Bee:
Bee is the story of Izat, a young Iranian girl trapped in an abusive marriage in the 1940's. After years of suffering both physically and mentally at the hands of her spouse, she knows the only way she will survive is if she is able to leave him. In an unprecedented move, her father is able to use his influence to secure a divorce for her. The story intertwines with interviews from immigrants who have had to make the difficult choice of leaving their homeland because their very survival was at stake.

Lower East Side Shakespeare Co. has taken on a new challenge in that they are producing new work in the vein of creating like Shakespeare. Bee created by Melody Erfani and written by Sean Michael Welch is a piece that is intended to start dialogue and discussion.

Our Goals:
Our goal is to facilitate a safe place for dialogue and discussion. This piece is based on Melody Erfani's paternal grandmother's life. Erfani says, "I want to tell her story now more than ever. I feel that in a time where we as Americans are talking about building walls and refusing immigrants the ability to find refuge here there is a deep need to see the individual and humanize those who apply. There is also a great fear within our country of Islam and Middle Easterners, I feel this story is needed to help offset and equalize that perspective. My grandparents sacrificed a lot to send two of their children here for a better future in the United States and their actions and risks have positively impacted many lives as a result."

Who We Are:

We are raising a minimum of $3,500 to go towards the following.

*Appears courtesy of Equity