Rachel Aanstad
R. K. Aanstad is a writer, artist, historian and Shakespeare nerd. She has an MFA in theatre and is the former Artistic Director of Rose City Shakespeare Company. She lives in the Pacific Northwest surrounded by books, cats, and silly little dogs. She writes books about Shakespeare’s plays including 'A Bawdy Twelfth Night or What You Will Encyclopedia & Dramaturgical Handbook' and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream Illustrated Handbook and Encyclopedia'. She is currently writing Shakespeare’s Influences for Pen and Sword to be published in 2026.
89
Jan. 25, 2026
Why did Shakespeare write ‘Troilus and Cressida’?: A Conversation with Rachel Aanstad
Episode 202: For today’s guest episode it is a very warm welcome back to Racheal Aanstad. You will remember that Racheal and I have discussed Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night’s Dream on the podcast and now she returns to discuss ‘Troilus and Cressida’. As you will hear Racheal was able to bring thoughts about the history of the play and it’s sources, particularly Homer’s Iliad, which, I think, really enhances our understanding of this challenging play. Rachel Aanstad is a writer, artist, his...
Guest: Rachel Aanstad
39
Jan. 20, 2025
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Conversation With Rachel Aanstad
Episode 152 Following on from my thoughts on A Midsummer Night’s Dream last time I’m very pleased to welcome back Rachel Aanstad to the podcast for further thoughts on the play. You may remember from our previous conversation about Twelfth Night that Rachel has devoted a lifetime to both the study and presentation of Shakespeare plays and as with Twelfth Night she has written an Illustrated Handbook and Encyclopaedia on ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. This includes a complete rendition of the pla...
Guest: Rachel Aanstad
37
Jan. 6, 2025
A Bawdy Twelfth Night: A Conversation with Rachel Aanstad
Episode 150: For this very appropriately timed guest episode, which is released on the 6th January, Rachel Aanstad kindly agreed to come on the podcast and talk about the Elizabethan twelfth night traditions and Shakespeare’s play of the same name. As you will hear our discussion became very much more wide ranging than that, as is often the way when we talk about Shakespeare. Rachel’s close study of the play came about not only because she has written on the play in her book 'A Bawdy Twelfth N...
Guest: Rachel Aanstad