On Oct. 7 and 8, SUNY Oswego’s theater department will host a staged reading of “I F*cking Hate Shakespeare,” written by Gina Femia.

The production is directed by Steve Mazzoccone, a visiting assistant professor of acting and directing. 

The play focuses on a woman discussing her experiences with Shakespeare throughout her life, such as being compared to him and reading his works throughout her education, said Mazzoccone.

The playwright spends time “juxtaposing [Shakespeare] with the abusive relationships that defined her coming of age” according to SUNY Oswego’s website.

Tessa Uline, a junior majoring in creative writing and theater with a minor in journalism, is reading a portion of the play that represents the playwright after going through some abusive partnerships.

“As someone who has both been in abusive and manipulative relationships and knows a lot of femininely-presenting people who have experienced them, it’s cathartic,” Uline said. They added that they deeply connect with the playwright’s experience, and find peace in knowing that they are not alone in their struggles.

The play is being performed as a staged reading rather than a full-scale production. Mazzoccone said that this format means there are scaled-back costumes and lighting, no set, and that the performers read from a script rather than being memorized.

He added that staged readings are “an important mode for actors to get used to” and “a good workout.” The mode allows for more focus to be given to the words that the actors are saying.

Though the play was initially written to be a one-woman performance, Mazzoccone said that he reached out to the playwright and received permission for it to be divided into four parts so that a larger number of students could be involved. 

Mazzoccone said that he read the play through a website called New Play Exchange. He was searching for something connected to Shakespeare when he came across it.

The theater department will be putting on a production of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” in the spring, with a contemporary approach, Mazzoccone said. “I F*cking Hate Shakespeare” can provide another interpretation of Shakespeare, and Mazzaccone said he thought it would be beneficial to do the two around a similar time.

“It’s one of those plays that really is able to just come to life with just the words and language,” he said, and added that he thought the play was “gorgeous.”

“My hope is that at least one person in the audience will be able to leave knowing they aren’t alone with whatever they’re going through, but even if that doesn’t happen, it’ll be something I am proud to have worked on,” Uline said.

“I F*cking Hate Skakespeare‘’ will begin at 7:30 on Oct. 7 and 8. It will take place in Tyler Hall’s Lab Theater room 46. The event has free admission and does not require a ticket.