What's in a Name?

Ecstasy (n)- 2. Excessive joy; rapture; a degree of delight that arrests the whole mind; joy may rise to ecstasy. (Websters 1828 Dictionary)
Doldrums (n)- A sate of inactivity or stagnation.(Dictionary.com)

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Shakespeare Hates Gum and Other Stories

"10 seconds of unrestrained laughter. Go!"
When I was in high school, one of my favorite activities was SMASH (Southern Maine Association of Shakespearean Homeschoolers). I grew to enjoy the works of Shakespeare, acting and also learned to pull out the Biblical truths implanted in every work of the Bard.
The dancers. Thanks to Mr. Blanchette.

This year, I had the distinct privilege of being one of the assistant directors, as well as acting again after nearly 7 years away from SMASH, of the production of Much Ado About Nothing.
The beautiful Petra as Verges- she's amazing!
"I know you by the waggling of your head."
"Friar Power"
This play sports themes like biblical and loving communication, clear speech, perseverence and what it truly means to be a man and a woman!
Billy, as Don John the villain, sporting his spiffy tatoo! ; )
We had so many actors/actresses that we needed two casts to give everyone a part. When I was in SMASH, we had to give people double parts for lack of bodies!!
Dogberry and the Watch- so funny!
George Seacoal (Colleen) on the captured Borachio (Anna)
Corrie the lovely playing the role of Beatrice (she was fantastic) and Ellie as the messenger.

What stuck out the most to me and will be ingrained in my mind is the way that these young people encouraged each other, took direction and pursued excellence. They really love being together and it shows.
"By this all will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. " John 13:35
The Villains, all in red!

Haha- Petra! This is quite an interesting group!
Here comes the bride! The lovely Rebecca as Hero.
Marshall sat stone still throughout this performance. Billy did such a good job as Don John, that he scared Marshall and he wet through his diaper! Kudos on his acting.
Joel as our minstrel- added so much to the show!
Charlotte amazed me with her performance of such a difficult role and John, only 11, took on the challenging part of an old man with so many lines, which he nailed!
The villains in their canopy.
"Will you have me lady?"
"No, my lord. Not unless I have another for working days. Your grace is too costly to wear everyday."
Libby the lovely was also our travelling minstrel, stage manager and an assistant director. Lady of many hats.
Haha! This trio: Claudio (Colin), Don Pedro (Seth) and Leonato (Charlotte) coupled with the dynamics of the decided bachelor Benedick (Tucker) were so funny together!
Rebecca feigning a swoon to convince Beatrice of Benedicks love.
"Your Hero, Leonato's Hero, every man's Hero." What a dastardly fellow.
Joel keeping the kiddos calm and quiet downstairs.
Taylor did an excellent job as Beatrice in her first big role- astounding!
Benedick (Joel) and Claudio (Evan) in Cast B.
One thing that was really neat to see was the different ways the casts each presented their characters and played a scene. They were terribly creative! : )

"Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more.... but be you blithe and bonny!"
"Then down upon her knees she falls!"
Don Pedro (Micah) and Leonato (David) of Cast B
"To read and write is a gift of nature..."
This was probably one of the highlights of my year. It was a blessing to work with these kids and teenagers and their families to put together a production that brought glory to the Lord.

"For it so falls out that, what we have, we prize not the worth of, whilst we enjoy it, but being lacked and lost, why then do we rack the value; then do we find the virtue possession would not show us whilst it was ours..." Much Ado About Nothing