Tina Packer: Artist, Visionary, Leader. The Founding Artistic Director of Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, Mass., blazed trails as a woman director of Shakespeare. She deeply explored the role and development of Shakespeare’s women as an actor, director, educator, and scholar, and authored Women of Will: Following the Feminine in Shakespeare’s Plays.
In honor of her accomplishments, Shakespeare & Company created the Tina Packer Women of Will Directing Fellowship to further the development of early-career stage directors who identify as women and have a passion for Shakespeare.
This Fellowship was conceived and funded by Shakespeare & Company actor and training alumnus John Douglas Thompson, with matching funds from an anonymous donor, and additional gifts from a group of Shakespeare & Company women directors mentored and inspired by Tina.
The Women of Will Fellow is in residence during the summer rehearsal period of a Shakespeare production that is helmed by an experienced woman director and will observe this director in addition to serving as Assistant Director throughout the process.