Drama Queens, a five-star arts journal focusing on female artists

Anya Kai, reporting

Shakespeare’s first great villain is returning to the New York stage, and he isn’t coming alone. Following their critically acclaimed run of the Henry VI trilogy, the Atlas Shakespeare Company is set to present the grand, “bloodsoaked” finale of the Wars of the Roses saga: Richard III.

Running from February 17 to March 1 at the Wild Project in the East Village, this production promises a visceral, high-stakes experience featuring live sword-fighting and full classical dress. Central to this psychological thriller are the roles of Lady Anne and the young Duke of York, both portrayed by actor Christa Sousa.

The Survivor in the Storm

In a play dominated by Richard’s “self-congratulatorily sociopathic” ascent to the crown, Christa Sousa finds the grounded humanity within the wreckage. Sousa, who takes on the dual challenge of playing the sharp-witted Lady Anne and the innocent Duke of York, views the play not just as a political melodrama, but as an examination of resilience.

“The women stand out to me,” Sousa says of the play’s unique structure. “Lady Anne, in particular, isn’t a symbol… She’s a survivor navigating impossible choices.”

To prepare for the role, Sousa worked closely with director Adriana Alter to look past the archetypes and find the “real person” Shakespeare drew from. By viewing Anne as the daughter of the powerful Earl of Warwick—a woman who is politically aware and deeply loyal—Sousa brings a three-dimensional clarity to a character often misunderstood by history.

A “Vivid and Human” Approach to the Bard

Founded by Adriana Alter and Alexander Nero, Atlas Shakespeare Company’s mission is to strip away the intimidation factor often associated with classical works. Their productions are designed to be “character-driven, exciting, funny, and profoundly human.”

For Sousa, the decision to use full classical dress and the full script isn’t about mere tradition; it’s about stakes. “I feel that it grounds the story in reality by emphasizing the history, relationships, and the stakes for everyone,” she explains. “I think the language does click for the audiences with our storytelling and isn’t intimidating.”

Why Shakespeare Now?

In a world that often mirrors the “charm, manipulation, and trauma” found in Richard’s court, Sousa believes Shakespeare remains an essential mirror for modern audiences. “Shakespeare lets us examine power, love, ambition, and harm up close,” Sousa notes. “He reminds us how long people have been surviving it.”

Audiences can expect a production where “curses come true and ghosts stalk the night,” serving as a chilling cautionary tale about the cost of power.

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Performance Details

Production: Shakespeare’s Richard III Presented by: Atlas Shakespeare Company

Dates: February 17 – March 1

Venue: Wild Project, 195 East 3rd Street, NYC

Features: Full classical dress, live sword-fighting, 120-minute running time.

Tickets: Available now at atlasshakespearecompany.com/tickets

What’s Next for Christa Sousa? Following the run of Richard III, Sousa will be collaborating on several musical projects while maintaining her focus on classical and Shakespearean works.