As is always the case, a play that I thought I knew so well becomes brand new as a result of working with such amazing actors and designers. 

Having always been aware of the racist language that is hurled at Othello throughout the play, I’ve been most surprised at how often Othello is made to feel “less than” through more subtle reminders of his difference.  Having always admired Desdemona’s displays of independence, I’ve been most surprised at how quickly that fiery nature is transformed into meek obedience.  Early on in the process, I asked myself the question “How is Iago able to take down such strong willed individuals like that of Othello and Desdemona?”  And over the course of the play, I’ve realized that Iago had to do very little, since pervasively oppressive cultural attitudes can easily penetrate through the most liberated of minds.  In the end, Iago had to do little more than plant a racist seed into the rich soil of misogyny and watch it bloom.