Back in 2013, my work began with Accidental Shakespeare’s debut performance of The Tempest. I played Ariel (in addition to playing mandolin, tabor, and finger cymbals).
“McDaris radiates magic as sprite Ariel, bringing whimsy to each syllable and completely comfortable jumping around and making mischief.” – Chicago Theater Beat
“Only Jared McDaris – as the duke’s magical slave, Ariel – has the vocal chops needed for Shakespeare’s rich poetry.” – Chicago Reader
April – May: I have also worked with Red Theater, both in their debut production of Brecht’s Schweyk in the Second World War (as Lieutenant Bullinger, 2012), and more recently in their Chicago transplant of Red Hamlet, as Polonius.
“McDaris… has an AMAZING vocal quality for Shakespeare.” – Chicago Stage Standard
“The command of range shown by the cast is formidable.” – Chicago Theater Beat
Unrehearsed Shakespeare
Twelfth Night on Twelfth Night (in association with TheaterRED), Twelfth Night in Chicago, Much Ado About Nothing, A Thousand Times Goodnight (staged reading), Two Gentlemen of Verona (in association with TheaterRED), Midsummer Night’s Dream, King Saul Part I (staged reading), Merry Wives of Windsor (in association with TheaterRED), and MacBeth.
October-November: I worked as the resident playwright for the newly formed TheaterRED in Milwaukee. After hosting four of our Unrehearsed Shakespeare productions, they chose for their first fully-produced show, A Thousand Times Goodnight: a new Elizabethan-style comedy.
“McDaris’ use of language and quick wit closely conjures the rhythm of Elizabethan comedy, a literary feat worth hearing alone… acted with complete confidence by an accomplished, brave cast.” – Postscript: Performing Arts