Original Creative Team

William Shakespeare (bapt. 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon" (or simply "the Bard"). His extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. He remains arguably the most influential writer in the English language, and his works continue to be studied and reinterpreted.

Shakespeare produced most of his known works between 1589 and 1613.  He  wrote mainly tragedies until 1608, among them Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, and King Lear, all considered to be among the finest works in the English language. In the last phase of his life, he wrote tragicomedies (also known as romances) and collaborated with other playwrights. Shakespeare also wrote romantic comedies including the current Southeastern Players' production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.