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[0:00] Robert Bannon: Are you ready? It's The Roundtable with me, Robert Bannon.

[0:30] Robert Bannon: Welcome to The Roundtable with Mark Dacascos & Erin Roth.

[0:54] Robert Bannon: Let's make it happen. Let's welcome everybody. Ensemble Shakespeare Company is here. We got these two incredible... Tell me, tell us who you are and what you do.

[1:06] Erin Roth: I am Erin Roth. I'm the Artistic Director of Ensemble Shakespeare Company.

[1:10] Mark Dacascos: So fancy. I'm Mark Dacascos. I'm one of her actors.

[1:13] Robert Bannon: And Mark is playing Julius Caesar.

[1:16] Robert Bannon: Mark. Mark. Mark is like a... Mark has done like 188 movies.

[1:26] Robert Bannon: Mark is a superhero. And that is exactly...

[1:29] Robert Bannon: Literally. No, he's a villain. Because Mark is like... Everybody has seen Mark be the bad guy in the movie.

[1:36] Robert Bannon: With a bucket of popcorn and a Diet Coke. And Mark... I'm not trying to be shady about movies.

[1:42] Robert Bannon: Action movies, superhero movies, big box office movies are one thing. But Shakespeare, Julius Caesar is a whole other live and in-person thing.

[1:51] Robert Bannon: What made you want to do this?

[1:53] Mark Dacascos: Oh, goodness. Well, first of all, I'll go backwards. I've been in class with Erin multiple... Many different times with our teacher, Patsy Rodenberg. I mean, I first saw you in class maybe 20 years ago.

[2:08] Erin Roth: Yeah, exactly. So we've both been studying with Patsy Rodenberg, who is this incredible voice, presence, drama, being, mentor, teacher. She was head of voice at Guildhall for 40 years or something. Royal Shakespeare Company, where she's back right now. World-renowned. And we both trained with Patsy.

[2:28] Mark Dacascos: And in my life, Patsy is one of those beams of goodness and light. And working with her and working with people that work with her, such as Erin, brings me hope. So I'm here for hope, to share with people, to connect with wonderful actors and human beings, telling great stories that are relevant right now, as you said in your introduction. And my training with Patsy Rodenberg for the last 20 or 23... Since 2002. So 24 years. And Erin is wonderful. She's a PRA, a Patsy Rodenberg Associate Teacher.

[3:11] Erin Roth: So we've both done not just Patsy's actor training, but her teacher training.

[3:15] Mark Dacascos: Yeah, Mark is also an incredible teacher of Shakespeare, not just an incredible actor.

[3:20] Robert Bannon: Thank you. So all roads have led to Rome.

[3:24] Mark Dacascos: Ah, yes!

[3:26] Robert Bannon: Literally. Literally led to Rome.

[3:29] Robert Bannon: He is more than zero in John Wick 3.

[3:32] Mark Dacascos: Thank you.

[3:34] Robert Bannon: You have no idea.

[3:36] Mark Dacascos: You have no idea. So tell me a little bit, while we're talking... I mean, we have the artistic director here. Like, she is here.

[3:45] Robert Bannon: So when you have the artistic director here and you talk about, why did you all pick this season to do Julius Caesar? How did it come about?

[3:53] Erin Roth: Well, as you said, it's incredibly relevant. I mean, it's sadly relevant, but I think it's cathartically relevant, if that makes sense. Because it connects us to other humans who've been going through the same thing as us. And we actually started developing this last year. I mean, we even had a moment, I will tell you, where we thought, maybe there's too much honor in this play. Maybe we can't relate to it anymore. You know, we thought, is there... maybe we're too far past this. But it's actually the parallels to what was happening in Rome and what's happening now are crazy. And we really, once we knew that Mark wanted to do it, we knew that we were going to be able to tell a really complex story, which is, I think, what we need right now, rather than just saying, oh, he's just a dictator, he's awful.

We have somebody who's a warrior, incredibly dangerous, just as himself. And also an incredible actor and very charismatic, so that we can see what Julius Caesar was and see why people were giving over their power to him.

[5:00] Mark Dacascos: Well, that's a lot of pressure you just put on me.

[5:02] Erin Roth: Oh, I'm so sorry.

[5:03] Mark Dacascos: Fair.

[5:04] Mark Dacascos: You just blew that, though. We wanted a Caesar that comes in and just changes the air in the room.

[5:09] Erin Roth: Thank you. You know what I mean?

[5:11] Robert Bannon: Barbara, help me here.

[5:13] Erin Roth: You're perfect.

[5:15] Erin Roth: She hit the nail right on the head. While we're talking, everyone, we love The Flea. The Flea is on 20 Thomas Street. It's where the show will be from July 9th to the 26th. Opening night is July 10th. There are some nights where there are very few tickets available. Go to EnsembleShakespeareCompany.com. Tickets are $45. There's Shakespeare for all tickets that are $25. And if you're a student in acting school or at NYU or in a university around the city or high school and you're doing Shakespeare and drama, $15. So you know when you go to school and they say you have to see two productions this semester to get your credit, and you're like, I can't afford to go see so-and-so? This is the show. Come see our show.

[5:52] Erin Roth: Yes, you can. Why is that important for Ensemble Shakespeare Company's mission?

[5:58] Erin Roth: Well, our mission is Shakespeare for all. So that means a lot of different things to us, but that always means we're always going to have tickets that are low cost because it's so important to get people to the theater, especially people who haven't seen Shakespeare, people who don't normally go to the theater. So we really want to reach out to those folks and get them in to hear this story because it can be incredibly life-changing, Shakespeare. It was for both of us.

[6:19] Mark Dacascos: Absolutely.

[6:20] Erin Roth: Yeah.

[6:21] Robert Bannon: But then how do you all make money? How do we support you?

[6:24] Erin Roth: We're non-profit.

[6:25] Erin Roth: There's the road.

[6:27] Erin Roth: We're becoming a non-profit, actually. We're fiscally sponsored, so it's a lot through donations and everything like that. But it's really important for us. That's part of our mission is we're going to bring you incredible casts, every single actor in this cast. Mark is here with me today, but every actor in our company is a lead actor.

[6:42] Mark Dacascos: Solid.

[6:43] Erin Roth: They're all a lead.

[6:44] Mark Dacascos: Solid.

[6:45] Erin Roth: And so every small character, every character that you might just have passed over before is going to be embodied by an incredible actor. So you're going to get to get this whole play, the whole story. And that's a huge undertaking, and it's so exciting. But, yeah, on the other end, we're always going to make tickets affordable because that's just how it has to be. It's part of our mission.

[7:06] Robert Bannon: Mark, I love this. Mark, where are you from? Are you from Hawaii?

[7:09] Mark Dacascos: I'm originally from Hawaii, but I went to school in Germany and Taiwan, and then I came back to the States.

[7:15] Robert Bannon: Oh. Well, you must have a lot of delta miles then. So where in Hawaii did you grow up?

[7:18] Mark Dacascos: Well, I was on Oahu, and I was right across from the Ala Wai Canal, and I was there until I was 6 years old with my maternal grandparents. My grandfather from Kentucky, Irishman with red hair and blue eyes, and my little second-generation Japanese grandma.

[7:44] Robert Bannon: So for you, growing up in America but out in the Pacific Ocean, what made you fall in love with this business and the art form of acting? Was there a moment?

[7:54] Mark Dacascos: There was a moment, but I didn't think about acting or this business until I was literally approached after I'd come back from Europe and Asia when I was 18 1⁄2, and I'm a failed monk. So I was in Germany going to prep school, and then I went to Taiwan thinking I wanted to be a monk, and I failed because I have a wife, a Texas wife and three kids, so I miserably failed as a monk. But backtrack, I'm 18 1⁄2. I lived in Hawaii, Germany, Taiwan. I'm now teaching martial arts for my mother in San Francisco. Lunch break, going to Chinatown with my girlfriend, so really, really failed monk. And these two gentlemen just randomly on the street approached me and asked me if I liked it.

[8:50] Mark Dacascos: And I said no. I didn't know that. It's true. And they asked me why. And I said, well, I'm not an actor. And for me, you know, I didn't grow up in America. So to be an actor you need to be well crafted. Like for martial arts, it took me about 10 years for me to feel comfortable in martial arts. So why would I ever think, oh yeah, I'll audition for a show? No. And I didn't. You know, it was never like to be seen. Not in my mind. I was going to go be a monk. Anyway.

[9:18] Mark Dacascos: My mom, I said no. And later that afternoon I told my mom about this instance. And she said, you know, go try. Life is a big roller coaster. Just see if you like it. And they invited you. Go take the invitation. And I did the audition. I know I was horrible. I remember the blood rushing in my face. And I remember like stop breathing. And I'm a guy that's been training martial arts all my life. But this got, you know, it was really scary.

[9:46] Mark Dacascos: Anyway, three days later, for whatever reason, they offered me the job. And first day on the set, I'm asked to do this make out scene and speak some German and Chinese and English and blah blah blah. And it was opposite Joan Chen, you know, the lead actress from Last Emperor. And Wayne Wang who did the Joy Luck Club. You know later he went on to do that. But that was my entry into acting. And there's a lot of stuff after that. But that's how I started.

[10:14] Mark Dacascos: And it was not planned.

[10:45] Robert Bannon: And for you Erin, you're an actor. You have incredible credits as well.

[10:50] Erin Roth: Solid. Solid.

[10:52] Robert Bannon: Why did you become the artistic director? What about this made you feel like let's go?

[10:58] Erin Roth: Honestly, it was actually in the pandemic. It was like the depths of the pandemic when there were riots in New York City and you couldn't leave your house or you felt like you couldn't leave your house. And I was, I was just at like a bad, bad moment. And I thought what is the one thing that I would get back? What is the one thing that I want? And it was live theater.

[11:17] Erin Roth: I saw it in my head. I was like, it's got to be Shakespeare. We've got to do it in the most thoughtful and visceral and exciting and heartfelt way we possibly can. And I just said, I guess it's got to be me.

[11:31] Robert Bannon: So for you, what, why people, you must hear this all the time. If you do interviews and people know what you do, you're going to get this question. Some people are scared. I joked about it. I really was scared of classical.

[11:41] Erin Roth: Oh my gosh.

[11:42] Robert Bannon: Why?

[11:44] Erin Roth: Yeah. What if I'm scared? I'm going to come see, I'm not going to get it. It's going to be in New York and during this month. So I'm going to roll up.

[11:56] Erin Roth: I promise you the one that we had, we had, yes, come, but we had our first like full production. We've done several developmental projects, but we had our first full production of Midsummer last year.

[12:07] Erin Roth: We got so many, so many positive comments and everything. But the one thing I kept hearing again and again was people could understand it. They were like, one person even said to me, I forgot it was Shakespeare halfway through.

[12:20] Erin Roth: And that's our mission too, is to just, to take that fear, to say, you're going to have a bunch of incredible actors deliver this show to you. And I promise you, you will have a fighting chance of understanding it.

[12:31] Robert Bannon: Oh, we're all going to understand. I'm telling, listen, everybody, I don't care how old you are. I don't care how much Shakespeare you've seen or read. I don't care if you spark noted your whole high school career. This show, you're going to go see the show and you're going to see the parallels to the world we live in. And if you want to see how history repeats itself and why it's important, you know what, being an artist is such a noble profession because it documents history.

[12:52] Robert Bannon: And this show, Shakespeare wrote this show and documented history. And now thousands of years later, hundreds of years later, we are now going to be able to see the cyclical nature of human and humans in their behavior. It's more important than ever. So, kudos to you both. So, Mark, what is, no, for direct, being a part of this ensemble, as it's called the Ensemble Shakespeare Company, what's it like working with the actors and your director?

[13:18] Mark Dacascos: Oh, it's fantastic. Our director, Dylan Deal, is also a Patsy Rotenberg student and Patsy Rotenberg teacher. Our artistic director is a teacher and student of Patsy Rotenberg. And they have workshops with their actors so they know what their actors are capable of. They know the way their actors work. And so when I was asked to invite it in, it was like a welcome home. Everybody was very open and present and curious and humble and embodied and wanting to learn and to connect and to share these stories and to make it relevant and personal and human. It's human.

[14:03] Mark Dacascos: And that's what it's about at the end of it. It's a story about humans. So, Erin, people, they're on the fence. They're looking for something to do. It's a date night. They have a new friend. They're looking for something unique and different. It's summer in New York City. Why should we buy a ticket? Why should we come and support Ensemble Shakespeare Company?

[14:22] Erin Roth: Oh, my gosh. From top to bottom, amazing actors. Also, we've got fights. Yes. We're bringing the whole story to you. And I promise you, if you come see it, you will be moved. I promise you.

[14:38] Erin Roth: I have a spoiler alert. I don't think it ends well for Julius Caesar.

[14:41] Robert Bannon: Well, don't tell Mark. Don't tell what happens.

[14:47] Erin Roth: Are you prepared? Did you practice it? When I'm there, can you give me extra? I want...

[14:52] Mark Dacascos: Oh, you have no idea. He may look directly at you.

[14:59] Erin Roth: Oh, I hope so. I'm excited. Oh, please.

[15:03] Robert Bannon: Are you really coming?

[15:04] Erin Roth: I'm going to be there. I'm coming to the whole end of July. Look, everybody, group trip, people. You all need to come. We're all going. It's the 26th at the Flea, which is one of the greatest places to see a show in New York City.

[15:21] Robert Bannon: I wish I could be there July 10th, but I'm not going to be there July 10th, but I'll be there the last week. And everyone's going to get a ticket. Go right now, right this second. It's mandatory homework. EnsembleShakespeareCompany.com and get a ticket for less than $50.

[15:33] Robert Bannon: I went to the movies. I went to see Supergirl. It's not even a good movie. I spent $92, me and my husband, because I bought the tickets and then, you know, get nachos and popcorn and two drinks. It was $92. So for $92, you can go see this. The movie star come to life doing Shakespeare.

[15:56] Erin Roth: And he's amazing.

[15:57] Mark Dacascos: And you're amazing.

[15:59] Erin Roth: I know the pressure, but he's truly amazing. I also get to play Calpurnia to his teacher.

[16:03] Mark Dacascos: And you'll see her.

[16:04] Erin Roth: Hello.

[16:05] Mark Dacascos: Hello, Slouch.

[16:06] Erin Roth: Oh, hello.

[16:07] Mark Dacascos: So we have a great scene.

[16:10] Robert Bannon: Let's go. Go to the website. Get your tickets. It's a limited run, everybody, only up to the 26th. So grab your tickets and see it. It's Thursdays through Saturdays at 7 and Sundays at 2 o'clock. Congratulations. Thank you for spending time with me. I love you guys. Come back all the time.

[16:25] Erin Roth: Oh my gosh, we would love to.

[16:26] Mark Dacascos: And you're wonderful.

[16:27] Robert Bannon: You're so fantastic.

[16:28] Erin Roth: You're really good.

[16:29] Mark Dacascos: Wow.

[16:30] Robert Bannon: See, I'll host this little show, but you don't want to see me do Shakespeare, though.

[16:35] Erin Roth: Actually, we do. Come to her workshop.

[16:38] Mark Dacascos: Come to a class.

[16:39] Erin Roth: Come to her workshop.

[16:40] Mark Dacascos: You're welcome anytime. I promise you, I know that.

[16:42] Robert Bannon: Why not?

[16:43] Erin Roth: Do I have to memorize it?

[16:44] Mark Dacascos: No, you just bring your book. You bring your book. Just read it off the page.

[16:48] Erin Roth: Just show up.

[16:49] Erin Roth: I promise you, we will make it understandable. We will make it not intimidating. That is what we do. That is our whole jam.

[16:56] Robert Bannon: Okay. I mean, I have a Meisner. I went to Meisner Conservatory. I can do a little something.

[17:02] Erin Roth: You absolutely can. I promise you.

[17:05] Mark Dacascos: Come play and work.

[17:06] Erin Roth: Yeah, come see the show. Come to a workshop. We will get you in. It'll be great.

[17:10] Robert Bannon: Everybody support them. Everybody get a show. Young actors, you hear that. Go to the link. Let's go.

[17:15] Robert Bannon: Thank you both. Break legs. Have an incredible rehearsal.

[17:18] Mark Dacascos: Thank you so much.

[17:19] Erin Roth: Thank you, Robert.

[17:20] Mark Dacascos: Thank you.

[17:21] Erin Roth: Thank you.

[17:22] Mark Dacascos: Be well.

[17:22] Erin Roth: Be well.