Shakespeare Theatre Company presents a staged reading of Dream on Monkey Mountain Written by Derek Walcott Directed by LeeAnét Noble About the Program Join us for the fifth anniversary of our reading/dramaturgy program. This program is an initiative of the Belonging and Artistic departments at Shakespeare Theatre Company to expand the classical canon while connecting with the next generation of theatre shifters. Over the course of seven weeks, students from local HBCUs gather for dramaturgical session led by STC Artistic Producer Dr. Drew Lichtenburg and special guests. The sessions examine the plot and themes of the play, and culminate with a staged reading directed by STC’s Director of Belonging LeeAnét Noble featuring the students at the Klein Theatre. This year’s program features English and Theatre majors from Howard University , as well as Musical Theatre majors from Morgan State University . This program is possible due to the support of Shakespeare Theatre Company and Eric Ruffin. About the Play Dream on Monkey Mountain is an allegorical journey through the dream of Mekak, a self-loathing imprisoned man in the West Indies. We enter his mind through the poetic prose Walcott is renowned for. Joined by Moustique, his friend (and, at times, foe), a mysterious woman, and series of other characters as he navigates his dream, we are faced with layered themes such as colonialism, religion, class, and identity. Intense drama, comedy, and magical realism collide in this tour de force play by Nobel Prize-winning playwright Derek Walcott .