King Lear |
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Produced by Joshua Tree Shakespeare Festival |
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at Mon Petit Mojave |
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Charlie E. Walker |
William Shakespeare |
Mon Petit Mojave |
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Cooki Bilsborough Jered Palmer |
Andrew Catlin |
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About Joshua Tree Shakespeare Festival
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The Joshua Tree Shakespeare Festival was founded in 2024 by Artistic Director Charlie E. Walker to unite the enduring power of Shakespearean drama with the natural majesty of Joshua Tree National Park. Rooted in a belief that art belongs in and to the community, the festival offers culturally enriching performances set against the breathtaking desert landscape, inviting audiences to experience the magic of live theatre in a uniquely inspiring setting.
Building on the legacy of A Fluid Movement Repertory Shakespeare Troupe (2008–2012), the festival seeks to become a cornerstone of the region's cultural life. Inspired by institutions such as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and San Jose Shakespeare Festival, it aims to provide affordable, high-quality theatre while offering local artists sustainable employment and fostering economic empowerment in the High Desert. As a female-led nonprofit, the organization is committed to inclusivity, accessibility, and meaningful community engagement.
Education and outreach are central to the festival’s mission. Collaborations with local schools—including La Quinta and Palm Springs High Schools—help bring Shakespeare to life for young artists and students. Productions have also partnered with esteemed venues like the Annenberg Theater and Indio Performing Arts Center, expanding both visibility and impact.
The festival is known for its innovative aesthetic, often incorporating UV reactive elements, blacklight design, and original work by local artists such as Kevin Maddrey and Trenalee Pieper. Productions like A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Shakespeare Spectacular have received critical acclaim and multiple awards from the Desert Theatre League, Hi-Desert Ovations, and The Joshuas of the Joshua Tree Voice.
Recent and upcoming collaborations highlight the festival’s continued growth and community integration. In 2024, the festival partnered with Furstwurld and The Retreat Center for its award-winning 12th Night. In 2025, they will stage King Lear in collaboration with Wind Walkers Medicine Wheel’s “Theatre Under the Stars,” further deepening ties with local cultural organizations. With a growing roster of artists, performances, and educational initiatives, the Joshua Tree Shakespeare Festival is quickly becoming a cultural beacon in the desert.
Make a tax deductible donation today!
Act & Scene Synopses
Act I
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Scene 1: King Lear divides his kingdom among his daughters based on their flattery, banishing Cordelia and Kent when they displease him.
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Scene 2: Edmund schemes to disinherit his brother Edgar by deceiving their father, Gloucester.
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Scene 3: Goneril complains about Lear’s behavior and instructs her servant Oswald to be disrespectful to provoke Lear’s departure.
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Scene 4: Lear discovers Goneril’s ingratitude and departs in anger, cursing her and vowing to stay with Regan instead.
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Scene 5: Lear sends Kent to Gloucester and begins to worry about losing his mind.
Act II
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Scene 1: Edmund frames Edgar for treachery, gains Gloucester’s trust, and learns of tensions between Cornwall and Albany.
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Scene 2: Kent is punished by Regan and Cornwall for defending Lear’s honor and is put in the stocks.
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Scene 3: Edgar, now a fugitive, disguises himself as the mad beggar “Poor Tom” to avoid capture.
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Scene 4: Lear is shocked to find Kent in the stocks and enraged when Regan joins Goneril in denying him dignity and support.
Act III
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Scene 1: Kent learns of a French invasion and sends a message to Cordelia; a storm begins to brew.
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Scene 2: Amid a raging storm, Lear rails against his daughters and the elements, descending further into madness.
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Scene 3: Gloucester confides in Edmund about his loyalty to Lear; Edmund betrays him to Cornwall.
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Scene 4: Lear, now raving, sympathizes with the poor and shelters with Kent, the Fool, and “Poor Tom” (Edgar).
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Scene 5: Cornwall rewards Edmund for betraying Gloucester by making him the new Earl.
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Scene 6: Gloucester secretly aids Lear, but Cornwall vows revenge after learning of his disloyalty.
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Scene 7: Gloucester is captured and brutally blinded by Cornwall and Regan, while a servant attempts to defend him and kills Cornwall in the struggle.
Act IV
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Scene 1: A blinded Gloucester despairs and is led by “Poor Tom” (Edgar), who resolves to help him.
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Scene 2: Goneril plots with Edmund while Albany begins to oppose her cruelty and questions her loyalty.
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Scene 3: In France, Cordelia hears of her father’s suffering and prepares to help him.
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Scene 4: Cordelia sends troops and doctors to find and aid the now-mad Lear.
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Scene 5: Regan tries to recruit Oswald in her pursuit of Edmund and her jealousy of Goneril.
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Scene 6: Edgar saves Gloucester from suicide by pretending he survives a fall, and they encounter the mad Lear before Oswald is killed by Edgar.
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Scene 7: Lear is found and brought to Cordelia, who gently restores his sense of self and reason.
Act V
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Scene 1: Goneril and Regan vie for Edmund’s affection while he plots against both; Edgar (in disguise) gives Albany a warning letter.
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Scene 2: Edgar leads Gloucester to safety before returning to the battlefield.
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Scene 3: Edmund captures Lear and Cordelia, orders her execution, and is fatally wounded in a duel with Edgar; Lear enters with Cordelia dead in his arms and dies in grief.
Support Joshua Tree Shakespeare Festival
King Lear Fundraiser
Why Your Support Matters
We believe that great theatre should be accessible to all, and that means ensuring fair wages for the artists who make this production possible. Every contribution—big or small—helps us create an unforgettable experience in the breathtaking landscape of Joshua Tree.
Your generosity makes all the difference. It was with YOUR support we made our production of 12th Night a success and were able to pay all our artists!
It is with your support that our production recently received 10 awards from the Hi-Desert Ovations! These awards are determined by popular vote by the local community. Favorite Comedy, Favorite Ensemble and Favorite Director name a few. Check out the link on our website to see the full list. This recognition means so much to all involved.
Mon Petit Mojave provides entertainment to our community for free. We support their mission. Our mission, to provide paying work and enriching entertainment for the community, isn't possible without your support. Our goal is $1800. This will help us ensure a team of at least 16 actors and crew will get at least $150 each for their efforts.
How Your Donation Will Be Used
💰 Actors & Artists – Paying professional performers who bring these timeless characters to life.
🎭 Directors & Designers – Funding the creative vision behind costumes, set design, lighting, and sound.
🎶 Musicians & Technicians – Ensuring the production is supported by live music and technical expertise.
🔨 Crew Members – The behind-the-scenes magic-makers who build, manage, and operate the show.
🎭 CAST & CHARACTERS
👑 King Lear – Kurt Schauppner
💔 Cordelia – Bobbie Breckenridge
🦊 The Fool – Cooki Bilsborough
🔪 Goneril & Regan – Liz Wessel & Molly Katelbach
⚔ Edmund & Edgar – Malcolm Stanley-Wolfe & Andrew Catlin
👀 Gloucester – Kevin Hayles
⚖ Kent – Jered Palmer
🏰 Duke of Albany – Cris Matthews
🏰 Duke of Cornwall – Brian Hennessy
Oswald-Booker Harrap
🎬 CREATIVE TEAM & CREW
🎭 Director – Charlie E. Walker
📋 Stage Manager – TBA
👗 Costume Designer – Liz Wessel
⚔ Stage Combat Choreographer – Krystofer Do
🛠 Set Designer – Sobe Walker
Donation Tiers & Rewards
🎭 $10 – Desert Spirit: A thank-you shoutout on our social media pages.📜 $25 – Bard’s Friend: A personalized thank-you note from the cast + a social media mention.👑 $50 – King Lear’s Loyal Subject: All previous rewards + a signed limited-edition festival poster.🎥 $75 – Royal Patron: All previous rewards + an exclusive behind-the-scenes sneak peek video.🌟 $100 – Desert Sovereign: All previous rewards + VIP access to a rehearsal, where you’ll meet the cast and crew.
Join Us in Making Theater Magic
Your support allows us to create something truly special—a Shakespearean experience like no other, set against the stunning backdrop of the Mojave Desert. Help us continue to provide paying work and enriching entertainment for our local community by making your donation today.
Help us reach our goal of $1800 and make King Lear a reality. Donate today and be part of something unforgettable!
Donate Now!
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Who's Who
Cast
Creative Team
Charlie E. Walker
Liz Wessel
Meet the Company
Kurt Schauppner
After many years of despairing that he would never get the chance to play Shakespeare, Kurt is delighted to say he is essaying a role in his third play by the immortal bard, following roles in Midsummer Night’s Dream and 12th Night. He thanks his cast mates, and director Charlie, for never letting him get away with anything less than 100 percent on stage.
Bobbie Breckenridge
Bobbie Breckenridge is a Meisner-trained actress who has studied extensively with Rachael Adler, Gregory Berger-Sobeck, Tim Phillips, UCB, and the American Conservatory Theater. She has also studied with Dennis Krausnick of Shakespeare & Co and David Melville of the Independent Shakespeare Company. Her film and TV credits include Aeranger, LA 4ORCE, and the BAFTA-award winning film Minsky. Theatrically, Bobbie has starred as the Empress in Napoleon & Josephine, Lula in Dutchman, Blanche in Theatre 29's A Streetcar Named Desire, and is honored to have been cast as Viola in 12th Night and Cordelia in King Lear as part of the exciting new Joshua Tree Shakespeare Festival.
Molly Katelbach
Molly's casting as Regan in "King Lear" comes as a challenging yet thrilling surprise to her. A classics and environmental theater fangirl, this is Molly's fourth foray under the direction of Charlie E. Walker and the Joshua Tree Shakespeare Festival. Molly thanks Charlie, the theater team, and especially Wind Walkers Medicine Wheel for the use of their magical land to present an ancient tale!
Liz Wessel
A resident of 29 Palms, seller of vintage, and Shakespearean scholar, Liz is o'vr the lunar sphere to be a part of this magical production.
Gratitude and loveth turns out to mine own rideth 'r dies, mine own fellow sellers, brave and talented thespians, My Lady Delilah, and especially Charlie, our fearless directeth'r.
"To thine own self be true."
Liz dedicates this performance to her own father, James G. Wessel
Cooki Bilsborough
at 83 years of age, Cooki went out to audition for what she thought was a Renaissance Faire to be a wench. Turns out it was an audition for Shakespeare's 12th Night! And play a wench she did! She was cast a Maria, despite never having acted, or seen an actual play! It was scary, and challenging but Cooki never backs down from a challenge and Maria was just her type of gal. Now, she will be playing The Fool in King Lear, in addition to Doctor, Servant and Herald. While she still struggles at times to understand The Bard, she works tirelessly on translation and has a great deal of fun bringing his characters to life. She has great admiration and love for our founding Artistic Director, Charlie E. Walker, as Cooki says she treats people with caring, integrity and respect. She also adores her fellow castmates and truly appreciates all their support and collaboration. Although never having acted before, she has been an entertainer and educator most of her life as a dancer and dance instructor. She prides herself on public speaking and having a "No Fear" attitude. Her advice: always try new things; even if they're scary, as that sparks new life!
Jered Palmer
Jered is a Marine veteran, art school graduate, and Park Ranger. A late addition to the cast, his fondness of the Duke of Kent led to his immediate comfort in the role. This is Jered’s third production with Theater Under the Stars. In 2021 he was in Haley Kooyman’s experimental spaghetti western, “Wild West Sh!t Show”. In March he kicked off the 2025 season as Estragon in “Waiting for Godot”. He would like to thank his wife, Analisa, and he hopes to make her proud.
Kevin Hayles
Kevin is excited to share the stage with such a diverse and talented cast in King Lear! Kevin has appeared in local Shakespearean productions including Midsummer's Night Dream and Twelfth Night! He was awarded Desert Star Awards (One Acts) for Two Cats, No Dogs and Death of Bessie Smith. Learning how to perform Shakespeare has been an experience well worth the challenge.
Malcolm Stanley-Wolfe
Malcolm Stanley-Wolfe(Edmund): Malcolm is very excited be to back with JT Shakespeare Festival working on King Lear. While not his Shakespeare role, this one has definitely proven a challenge but one he was glad to have taken.
Andrew Catlin
Andrew Catlin grew up in Maine and studied physics and philosophy at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. After launching his artistic career in Miami, he spent several years painting murals in Wynwood before settling in 29 Palms, where he now owns Studio 29, a local yoga studio. This is his third year performing with the Shakespeare Festival, having previously played Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Orsino in Twelfth Night. He returns this season as Edgar in tonight’s production of King Lear.
Brian Hennessy
Brian Hennessy is a lifelong long Shakespeare fan who is excited to be on stage bringing the Bard to the desert. Previous Shakespearean roles include the Apothecary in Romeo and Juliet; Fabian in Twelfth Night and Rosencrantz in Hamlet.
Cris Matthews
Cris Mathews is stepping into the spotlight for the first time after spending many years behind the camera. With a strong background in film production and storytelling, Cris brings a unique perspective and deep appreciation for the craft of performance. This debut marks an exciting new chapter in his creative journey, and he’s honored to join the cast and crew of this production. Cris is grateful for the support of his family, friends, and mentors who encouraged him to take this bold step onto the stage.
Booker Harrap
Booker loves living in Wonder Valley and spending the majority of his free time with theater people, because there are no people like show people. He’s recently been seen playing Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar at Theatre29 and Steve the upstairs neighbor in A Streetcar Named Desire prior to that. Generally speaking, he plays nice with others so don’t be afraid to say hi.
Charlie E. Walker
Charlie E. Walker is a versatile theatre artist and educator with a BA in Theatre and Performance Studies from UC Berkeley, specializing in Shakespeare and the Classics. With over 15 years of experience, she has brought to life iconic roles such as Beatrice, Lady Macbeth, Jaques, Titania, Helena, Hamlet, and Ophelia in productions across California, including Theatre 29, the Pleasanton Playhouse, and UC Berkeley. From 2008 to 2012, Charlie served as Artistic Director of A Fluid Movement Repertory Shakespeare Troupe, directing acclaimed productions in collaboration with regional venues and schools, and mentoring young artists through internships and outreach.
In addition to her performance and directing work, Charlie holds a Single Subject Teaching Credential in English and spent eight years teaching drama, English, and theatre at all grade levels. Her classroom was a stage for Shakespeare, Reader’s Theatre, and creative exploration. Charlie’s design work—costume, lighting, sound, and set—has enhanced productions like A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Shakespeare Spectacular. A multiple Desert Theatre League nominee and adjudicator for the English Speaking Union's Shakespeare Competition, she remains dedicated to inspiring the next generation of theatre-makers while celebrating the enduring power of The Bard.
Liz Wessel
Liz sells vintage furniture, lamps, art, housewares, collectibles, jewelry and threads at her shop, Delilah's Vintage in 29 Palms. She has immensely enjoyed putting clothes on the backs of her fellow thespians, and is eternally grateful to Amber, Amy, Catherine and Jennifer for their help doing so!
The world's going to hell, buy more vintage!
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