MLITT, MFA, PHD

Jess Hamlet is Assistant Professor of English at Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania. She holds a PhD in Renaissance Literature from the University of Alabama, an MLitt and an MFA in Shakespeare & Performance from Mary Baldwin University, and a BA in theatre from Pacific University. Jess works on Shakespeare, social justice, and public humanities. Her book project, Shakespeare as Paratext to Power, considers moments of social change or upheaval over the past four centuries during which Shakespeare enters the public consciousness. By examining these moments, we can see how much of a role Shakespeare plays in the formation and codification of power structures, particularly those dedicated to maintaining white supremacy. (To be clear, Jess thinks white supremacy is a Bad Thing, but recognizes that Shakespeare has long been complicit in upholding it.)

MAT, MLITT, MFA

Aubrey Whitlock is a proud California native, hailing from Modesto, which is not at all one of the “sexy” California places, but a handful of famous people are from there and it’s where your almond milk comes from, so you’re welcome. She is the head of Education Programming with the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, VA, in charge of overseeing all enrichment and educational programs around the production seasons. Aubrey holds a BA in Theatre Arts from UC Santa Cruz (Go Slugs!), an MA in Teaching from Chapman University, and an MLitt and MFA in Shakespeare and Performance from Mary Baldwin University (nee College). She spent most of her 20s teaching like her hair was on fire in Los Angeles and Waterford, CA, until that burnt her out. Teaching is hard and full-time, lifelong teachers are heroes. Since leaving the classroom, Aubrey has performed, stage managed, directed, and dramaturged with professional and amateur Shakespeare companies on both coasts, but her most celebrated accomplishment to date is conscripting Dr. Jess Hamlet to take on this weird, wild podcast project with her. Also she has 4 cats who are deeply unimpressed with any of this.