Photo by Jason W. Spencer
Kristen Oxley
Assistant Editor
February 10, 2006
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Dr. Richard Laura reads his lines for Shakespear's
"Measure for Measure" Photo by Jason W. Spencer |
A student-led rendition of Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” will be performed this spring as a separate project from the theater department’s annual spring production.
Milligan College will host to two plays this spring, as a student-led rendition of Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” will be performed on Milligan campus in two shows on April 8.
Inspiration for the play originated out of Dr. Jack Knowles’ Jacobean drama class. Junior Angela McCann got approval from Knowles to offer students an alternative major paper topic by participating in a Shakespeare performance of their own and researching their specific roles in the production.
Few members of the class signed up to perform, but several students have expressed interest in working back stage.
McCann considers herself to be the organizer behind the play.
“It’s something new, and it’s something we’re hoping that will continue next semester,” McCann said.
This Shakespearean comedy will be directed by junior Robert Kitchens.
Kitchens said that this is his favorite Shakespeare play, and when McCann thought of the idea he just “couldn’t help but jump on board in some way.”
He has been acting since he was a junior in high school and starred in this past fall’s musical performance of “Oklahoma.” For this production, however, Kitchens decided to take a back stage role and play the part of director.
“I hope (the audience) gets a good taste of Shakespeare and how powerful this play is,” Kitchens said. “It’s a learning process for everyone involved because it’s something new for everyone who has a part.”
Several members of Milligan’s faculty will perform in this play. The list includes Ted Thomas, associate professor of humanities, history and German; Pat Magness, professor of humanities and English; and Marvin Glover, associate professor of mathematics.
Thomas will play the duke. He is not sure how to perform his role because his character can be seen as either a Christ-like figure or as a conniving person who sends others to do his dirty work and then gains from the glory of good deeds.
Thomas has never participated in a Milligan production, although in high school he performed in the first nonprofessional performance of “My Fair Lady” in Connecticut. He never thought he would have time do a play at Milligan because classes keep him busy.
“I’ve wanted to do something theatrical for Milligan for a long time,” Thomas said. “Right now it sounds like a lot of work, but it also sounds like good work.”
Magness will play a small part as Mistress Overdone. She said she has not read the play, but she has been assured that it is a minor role. Magness is unsure of the personality of her character, but with a last name of Overdone, she hopes to play a woman who dramatizes and over-exaggerates situations.
“I hope I get to wear an enormous red wig,” Magness said.
The play’s plot centers around the Duke of Vienna. The duke leaves Angelo in charge of the city while he goes on a supposed journey, when in actuality he disguises himself as a friar to observe Angelo’s rule. Vienna is filled with scandal and corruption, and Angelo uses his new power to administer harsher justice than the duke had enforced. He arrests Claudio, who has fathered an illegitimate child, and sentences him to death. Disguised as a friar, the duke watches Angelo’s tactics and seeks to right his wrongs by interacting with various characters, all of whom do not realize the duke’s true identity.