I spent two of my high school years at an arts high school. I appreciate the experiences I had there and I enjoy seeing what some of my former classmates are doing now. I returned to my traditional high school for my senior year because of some family circumstances. I do not regret that decision at all. Never have. I got a supporting role in the fall play and received an award for my performance. I reconnected with friends there and went on to get accepted to all six colleges to which I applied, including the American University in Paris. I also did a little journalistic writing that year. So everything started to come together.
When I faced academic dismissal from the University of Tennessee, I also had to again face "no regrets." I got a job and enrolled at the local JC. There I studied journalism more extensively and I took a handful of theater classes. What great experiences I had! It was during this time that I applied for my first journalism position. I met with the editor of a local paper. During an interview, he referred to me as "a frustrated actress." That got under my skin then and it bothers me still today. You see, I believe that God has used all of my time and all of my experiences to make me who I am. I rather like who I am. I am awesome. i believe that my acting experiences have made me a better entertainment writer. I have also co-ordinated art shows and other artistic events. The concert I put together for church last summer was incredible and I look forward to putting another such event together this year. I get to act in skits at church. I have also written skits for church. When I was involved in journalism at the JC, I participated in writing competitions at conferences. One year I received an "Honorable Mention" and another year I received a "First Place" for On-the-Spot Critical Review. I know what to look for, I know what works, and I know how to write about it. What more could someone ask for really?
Every so often, I rediscover another part of myself that I had somehow set aside, put on hold, or had otherwise forgotten. It hit me within the past couple of weeks that my love for Shakespeare was one such thing. I have always loved Shakespeare's work. I love reading it, performing it, viewing it. All of it. I'm not crazy about "Romeo and Juliet," but that's irrelevant really. The last scene I performed on stage, aside from that which I have done at church, was a Richard III scene at Shakespeare Night about 15 years ago! One of the monologues I used to audition for the arts high school was one from "Taming of the Shrew." I still know it today. I also still remember the "All the world is a stage..." monologue ("As You Like It") that my theater instructor at JC had us learn and perform. The same instructor who i enjoyed watching perform today. I felt this part of me reawaken in the past couple of weeks and I am so excited to now know of Merced Shakespearefest. I will most certainly look into it more. At the very least, I intend to attend more shows. Perhaps, though, this "frustrated actress" may give an audition a try. You never know...For now...
A little "play" writing for me....just an exercise in writing a brief review...
Merced Shakespearefest breathes new life into classic tragedy
Don't let the headline fool you. The deaths that make "Hamlet" the classic tragedy that it is still occur. The dialogue holds true to William Shakespeare's original work. However, the cast in Merced Shakespearefest's "Hamlet," as directed by Heike Hambley, brings something refreshing to this play, and some special additions bring a bit of something new and bold to the play.
Performed at the Merced Multicultural Art Center, the audience sits around, and at times essentially within, the action of the play. Hambley took some artistic liberty, and incorporated modern dress and cell phones into the play which offer a new perspective on an old favorite.
Modesto JC theater instructor Michael Lynch brings classic style to the role of Claudius, and at one point, you almost have sympathy for the character who really is the villain who sets everything in motion leading to unfortunate, untimely deaths of many. Colton Dennis delivers Hamlet's lines with such passion that pulls in the audience and captivates them in each and every moment. He does not simply deliver the lines, but he is Hamlet.
Hamlet and Ophelia (Emily Wilson) have a magical chemistry that ignites on stage. The possibility of the tragic end to their relationship comes through and the audience is left hoping that perhaps this time it will be different. Of course, it isn't.
Wilson's portrayal of Ophelia shows the transformation the young lady undergoes as her life unravels. The devastating blow comes with the death of her father, Polonius (Bert Roper). Wilson shines as Ophelia. Roper's delivery of lines at the beginning of Sunday's performance left something to be desired, but as the show continued, Polonius came alive, and Hambley's casting decision is justified. Another shining star in the cast is Greg Ruelas who's portrayal of Horatio moves play-goers in new ways. A whole different chemistry exists between Horatio and Hamlet.
From leading roles to all of the smaller parts, the cast pulls off interesting choices and brings the work of William Shakespeare alive. Though the Merced run has ended, the cast will take the show to Mariposa for two nights. Performances are scheduled for Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9 at the Mariposa Playhouse. If you have the opportunity to go, do. You don't want to miss this! "Hamlet" kicks off the Merced Shakespearefest's 12th season. Later this year, "As You Like It" will be performed at Applegate Park.
No comments:
Post a Comment