Setting the Stage: The Student Directors taking King Lear to the US

By Marie DeNoia Aronsohn

When Aditi Rai Sia Mei Ann (Wolfson 2024) was thirteen years old, a Shakespearean company came to her school in Singapore and performed The Merchant of Venice. It surprised and riveted her, opening her mind and heart to the power of the Bard’s work. This September, she will direct the Cambridge American Stage Tour (CAST) production of King Lear. Together with assistant director Edward Campbell (Downing 2024), they will lead a small, mighty all-student company of actors and techs, touring across the Eastern US, with the goal of creating a similar awakening to Shakespeare’s brilliance for American audiences, many of them school children. It is a practice that dates back to 1999 when CAST was founded.

“I think what's really exciting is being able to mirror or emulate the experience that I had,” said Rai Sia. “I came to that first performance of Shakespeare thinking it would be a waste of my time, but by the end, I was completely starstruck and engaged and interested.”

Campbell, who is majoring in English at Downing College, has been extremely active and inspired by the robust student theater scene at Cambridge. Like Rai Sia, he started young and came to the stage as an actor but at Cambridge discovered the power and appeal of directing. Both say they fell in love with it.

“It's quite magical,” said Rai Sia. “Making [the production] and putting it on stage, there's this magical moment when it all comes together and then it's done. It’s addictive.” 

Campbell was especially drawn to doing CAST. He applied last year, and went for it again this year, landing the prized opportunity. “Every single CAST member I've talked to said it was not just one of the best experiences of their life, but the best experience of their life,” said Campbell. “Having the opportunity to do one of the biggest theatrical events of the Cambridge calendar year is very exciting.”

Over the past few months, Rai Sia and Campbell have auditioned dozens of Cambridge actors. Both are thrilled with the nine students they’ve selected to perform the play. Both are excited to experience US cities such as New York, Boston, and Washington DC and to bring the tragic story of Lear, his court, and his daughters to the many stages on the tour.

Rai Sia is doing an MPhil in Media, Videogames and Neuroscience at Wolfson, but her time at Cambridge has pulled her squarely into theater. “Cambridge made me realize theater could be a career. Before it did not seem to be a conceivable option.” The talent, rigor, and expertise required to take part in the intense CAST schedule prepares aspiring theater professionals and helps position them for a career. Rai Sia, who is soon to finish her degree, has her heart set on the stage.

“'After I graduate, I’m staying in the UK, to write and direct and assist and direct, and keep going until I get to tell stories that I want to tell, which is very exciting.”