Junkyard shakespeare
unprocessed theatre
Hi! I’m Hilary Dennis.
I am an actor, independent producer, and theatre-maker - specializing in Shakespeare (a “Shakesnerd”). I also used to be a farmer.
How do these two passions come together? Welcome to my Junkyard - a place where I explore the raw nutrition for life: emotion, poetry and presence. Human connection. No spectacle.
Junkyard Shakespeare is raw, dirty and delicious - just like a carrot right out of the field.
what
In the Junkyard, small groups of actors come together to create raw, clear, text-driven 90-minute versions of Shakespeare’s plays in one week. Performances have accommodated 12-99 audience members in varying locations (from La MaMa ETC in NYC to a backyard in Western Massachusetts).
“Raising a Shakespeare play in a week was standard practice for the first actors of Hamlet, 400 (or so) years ago... If you haven’t seen a show made this way before, you’re in for a treat. What you’re about to see might feel different than other performances. Everyone together in a world of not knowing exactly what’s going to happen next.”
why
Junkyard Shakespeare’s mission is to -
1. Pay our actors a living wage to ensure the viability of their essential and nutritious work.
2. Produce bare-bones, nutrient-dense theatre that prioritizes immediate, human connection.
3. Build trust and nurture impulse to create collaborative productions without a director.
“Proud of what you are achieving.”
how
PAST PRODUCTIONS
October 2021 | Northampton, MA
Back (L-R): Joseph Cardozo, Justin Viz, Vaughn Pole*; Middle: Jelena Djukic, Kristen Moriarty, Jane MacLaughlin, Hilary Dennis; Front: Mary Potts Dennis
Total budget: $9,600
Actor weekly stipend: $723 + travel ($100-350)
“This production...no gimmicks or concept, just Shakespeare’s words with actors talking to each other…delivering an ever captivating story. Therein lies the power. ”
August 2022 | La MaMa | NYC
Back row (L-R): Meron Langsner, Adebowale Adebiyi, Isaiah Dòdó-Williams*, Olivia Sowell, Emma Elle Paterson, Justin Viz, Amy Gaither*, Leonardo Ribeiro; Front row (L-R): Costanza Bugiani, Callie Considine, Langston Darby*, Hilary Dennis
Total budget: $19,151.80
Actor weekly stipend: $1,033
“That the production was spartan may have been a practical necessity, but it was also an essential element of the storytelling. Nothing to look at but humans interacting, the most powerful emotional engagement. I can’t imagine how more expensive costumes and a full, visually credible set would have enhanced the core experience.
One can only hope that this amazing production, put together in a week with a two-show run, will have future incarnations, and many, many siblings.”
November 2023 | Northampton, MA
Back row (L-R): Justin Viz, Jelena Djukic, Felix Beauchamp, Jane MacLaughlin, Mary Potts Dennis; Front row: Emma Elle Paterson, Chris Hahn, Hilary Dennis
Total budget: $10,840
Actor two-week stipend: $545 + housing
“It is truly inspiring to see you bring Shakespeare to life in its truest form.”
Help us grow
Explore sponsorship levels below.
Diesel - $10,000
Kick us into turbo! Give us the fuel necessary to really get this thing chugging.
PERKS:
-Permanent listing and logo placement on Junkyard’s website and publicity materials
-Verbal recognition at performances
-2 VIP tickets to ALL future Junkyard performances
-Signed poster from the cast
Feed an Actor - $3,000-$5,000
Provide 1-2 of our actors a living wage.
PERKS:
-Permanent listing and logo placement on Junkyard’s website and publicity materials
-Verbal recognition at performances
-4 VIP tickets to a performance of your choice
-Signed poster from the cast
Chores - $500
Support Junkyard’s general operations, administrative costs, and continued development and growth.
PERKS:
-Social media shoutout!
-Website and newsletter recognition
Caffeine + Chocolate - $100
Sponsor energy boosts and help with miscellaneous costs associated with production.
PERKS:
-Social media shoutout!
-Listing on Junkyard website
If you’re interested in contributing to Junkyard Shakespeare, I’d like to get to know you.
Please email me at hilarygdennis@gmail.com and let’s begin a conversation.
If clicking a button is more your style,
please visit Junkyard Shakespeare’s Fractured Atlas page to make a tax-deductible donation.
Junkyard Shakespeare is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of Junkyard Shakespeare must be made payable to “Fractured Atlas” only and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
