Theater actors performing Shakespeare on stage in Tampa, FL.

The Complete works of William Shakespeare – for Jobsite Theater

By: theJames On:

I recently had the chance to photograph Jobsite Theater’s production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] [Again] at the Straz Center in Tampa. You can check out more details about the production on their website.

The goal of this shoot was to both document and convey the range and physicality of the performance, while including some of the audience. This shoot came with an additional fun set of challenges. Since I was covering a live performance with paying attendees, I didn’t have the usual flexibility to move around or get different vantage points. Jobsite set me up with a row in the back of the house, so everything had to be captured from that one perspective. On top of that, I had to shoot on “silent” mode—meaning no shutter clicks. Thankfully, my Canon R3 cameras don’t mind one bit. The only problem with silent mode is that I tend to really overshoot since there’s no audible or tactile feedback—just a little flashing white border in the viewfinder. 15 frames per second adds up quickly, and by the end of the night, I had almost 5,000 frames from a two-hour show to cull through.

Theatrical performer on stage performing Shakespeare
Jobsite Theater’s 2025 The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] [Again] @ Straz Center for Preforming Arts in Tampa, FL on Wed, 20 Aug 2025 Act2

But it was totally worth it. This production was hilarious. The cast : David Jenkins, Spencer Meyers, and Shawn Paonessa kept the energy high with rapid-fire delivery, smart physical comedy, and the kind of timing that only comes from serious rehearsal and sharp instincts. They managed to make Shakespeare both accessible and downright ridiculous in the best ways possible.

The costumes, designed by Katrina Stevenson, were spot-on. They added just the right amount of visual punch to the fast-paced antics without ever pulling focus from the performers. Between the costume quick-changes, the frantic energy of the script, and the audience laughing non-stop, it was the kind of show that makes you grateful for live theater.

Jobsite always finds ways to surprise and entertain, and this one was no exception. Photographing it was a challenge, but also a joy. I think the final shots capture the humor and intensity of the night.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the show!

Photos – Preshow / BTS

Photos – The Show

Theatrical performer on stage performing Shakespeare
Theater actors performing Shakespeare on stage in Tampa, FL.