10 Reasons Why Hamlet is Totally Gay

by Grant MacDermott

Three students have an interesting take on Hamlet that helps their teacher deal with who he really is. Like Shakespeare says: to thine own self be true.

Three students have an interesting take on Hamlet that helps their teacher deal with who he really is. Like Shakespeare says: to thine own self be true.

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10 Reasons Why Hamlet is Totally Gay

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: 10 Reasons Why Hamlet is Totally Gay by Grant MacDermott
    “

    A great exploration of Hamlet that reveals some of the preconceptions we may have had about him. Well done.

    A great exploration of Hamlet that reveals some of the preconceptions we may have had about him. Well done.

    ”
  • Patrick Thomas McCarthy ptmc: 10 Reasons Why Hamlet is Totally Gay by Grant MacDermott
    “

    "Mad gay", "dumb gay" or "straight up gay", whatever this Hamlet is in a high school English class discussion of the text, MacDermott's Mr. Sherman has found a way to elicit response from his class that he surely never expected. Cultural divides abound as urban analysis of Shakespeare's most famous character assume the knowing "character" of our times.

    "Mad gay", "dumb gay" or "straight up gay", whatever this Hamlet is in a high school English class discussion of the text, MacDermott's Mr. Sherman has found a way to elicit response from his class that he surely never expected. Cultural divides abound as urban analysis of Shakespeare's most famous character assume the knowing "character" of our times.

    ”
  • Scott Sickles: 10 Reasons Why Hamlet is Totally Gay by Grant MacDermott
    “

    Relentlessly clever, funny, surprising and deep, it challenges ones preconceptions about Hamlet, racial and sexual identity, and even the human condition all in a very short period of time! A mini-masterpiece!

    Relentlessly clever, funny, surprising and deep, it challenges ones preconceptions about Hamlet, racial and sexual identity, and even the human condition all in a very short period of time! A mini-masterpiece!

    ”
View all 6 recommendations

Character Information

  • Mister Sherman
    Teacher of a high school English class. Very much in the closet.
    30's-60's
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Staci
    Urban kid. Born and raised in the city. Sassy and smart.
    16
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • ReShawn
    Maybe a bit overweight. Seems dumb. But isn't. Born and raised in the city.
    16
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Stanley
    Born and raised in the city. Probably the quarterback of the football team.
    17
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man

Production History

  • Fringe, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2016