THD Production Spotlight: Shakespeare Showcase at KCT

By ALEX NOVAK

Theatre and Dance’s free Shakespeare Showcase-with one performance Sunday, April 14 in the Katharine Cornell Theater-offers an opportunity to experience Shakespeare through various monologues and scenes. The showcase, featuring excerpts from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, King Richard, Twelfth Night, and more, includes both serious and comedic selections, as well as a dog puppet, and other exciting moments along the way!

Students hope that their bare bones, text-focused approach to excerpts will help the audience walk away with a greater understanding of these works. And since the hour-long showcase is free, actors are hopeful that Shakespeare skeptics will be willing to give it a shot, discovering a new appreciation for The Bard.

“People should be able to view art all the time in any form, and making it free admission really helps with that,” Sophia Vessecchia, a junior musical theatre major and showcase co-host, said. “The department has been very supportive and our actors are fantastic. They just really got down to what the text is and how they want it done.”

The process has been full of learning experiences for the cast, containing both Shakespeare buffs and newbies. Fans embrace their love of his work, and newcomers can “dip their toes” into Shakespeare without committing to a full five-act show.

“For the actors, it’s incredibly important because a lot of people are really afraid of Shakespeare. They think it's a daunting task like, ‘Oh, I could never perform that,’ which just isn't true,” Paige Kent, a junior communication major in the showcase, said. “He really is for everyone.”

Moth Media, a senior theatre performance major and co-host, is optimistic that by going outside of their comfort zone, the actors will put on a memorable show.

“I'm excited because it's going to be totally imperfect. And I think that's important,” Medina said.

Freelance writer Alex Novak is a senior English major, with a minor in theatre performance.