William Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebration was more than just words. The University’s theater arts department brought the EMU Amphitheater to life Monday afternoon, presenting a variety of the Bard’s works.
The sixth annual performance included monologues, improvisation, stage fighting, songs, Elizabethan dance and general merrymaking in the spirit of the time in which the writer lived.
Approximately 20 volunteers from the theater department paraded into the amphitheater dressed in black costumes accented with festive caps, scarves and colorful hats. The performers welcomed the audience with oranges and long-stem red roses.
Shakespeare, one of the world’s most performed and admired playwrights, was born on April 23, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, located outside of London. While records of his actual date of birth do not exist, records do show he was baptized on April 26. As it was customary to baptize infants within days of birth, people traditionally celebrate it on April 23.
Because of the University’s street fair last week, the celebration could not be held on Shakespeare’s birthday.
“Shakespeare has such a foundation in every single aspect of theater,” freshman pre-journalism and theater arts major Wayne Bund said. “His ability to make timeless pieces of art is still being worshiped today.”
Senior theater arts major Daniele Ozymandias took on the character of Rumor in a monologue from “Henry IV.” After her excerpt, she added that besides entertainment value, the event raised awareness about Students Theater Arts Renovations, which is trying to improve conditions in Villard Hall, the home of the theater department.
A planning committee headed by Vice President for Administration Dan Williams and University Provost John Moseley rejected a proposal for a new $5 million theater and facilities adjacent to the Robinson Theater in Villard Hall.
“We are far behind where we need to be trained to work in a professional setting,” sophomore theater arts major Adam Greene said.
The high-spirited performers each gave their talented tribute to Shakespeare.
ASUO Vice President and theater arts major Mitra Anoushiravani showed her appreciation for Shakespeare as she played Constance from “King John” and Rosalind from “As You Like It.”
Tyler Boeh, Michael Govier, Sam Super, Scott Vogel and Curtis Williams from the improvisation troupe Absolute Improv used their wit on stage to insult each other and keep the audience entertained.
“Take care your possessions and your body parts,” performers yelled to the audience of approximately 150 people. Despite the warnings, the audience responded to the jousts shouting for “More blood!”
The show continued with Bund and Colleen Wroblewski who acted out the scene from “Romeo and Juliet,” when the star-crossed lovers first meet. The duo added a twist to the scene and burst out in a dance that he described as, “wamped out and wacky.”
There was “a magic betwicked us,” he said.
Co-director of the event and senior theater arts major Rhaetia Hanscum performed as Paulina from “The Winter’s Tale.” She said Shakespeare is an important historical reference to theater students.
“By knowing him, modern literature and dramatical reference becomes more clear,” Hanscum said.
Vogel, the other co-director of the event and a senior theater arts major, said the EMU Amphitheater offered the performers a chance to act in an outdoor setting where they have to feed off the imagination of the audience instead of being able to rely on scenery and other props at an performer’s disposal on a normal stage.