24hour Shakespeare!!!

24hour Shakespeare is just three days away, and no, I am not panicking.  My lack of sleep is not due to anxiety dreams wherein King Hamlet screams at me in the dining hall about sleeping through the entire even, and thus I must avenge the society by murdering Claudius.

Nope, that totally did not happen.

Last night during the Twelfth Night read-through, Shakers decorated posters with names of plays to hang in rooms throughout the house, with illustrations of the shows.  (No one was really quite sure what to do for Coriolanus.)  We’ve taken book inventory and cleared most Shakespeare books out of the library, and organized them into five categories – histories, tragedies, romances, problem plays, and comedies.

For those unable to attend the event, or unwilling to perform the War of the Roses on a Saturday morning, follow the event on the Society’s new tumblr at http://shakespearesociety.tumblr.com/.  I will be live blogging from the event with updates about what we’ve reading, videos and performances, and probably some embarrassing photos.

If you have any questions about 24hour Shakespeare, email me at ckovacs@wellesley.edu.  Information regarding the event can be found on the “Events” page of this blog and at our event page on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=197116736976766).

In faith and service,

Callie, Vice President

“Are you yet living?”

With Spring Break just around the corner, it is naturally time for Wellesley professors to bombard their students with midterms.  Unfortunately, Shakers are no exception.  This week, we will gather in the house until the late hours of the night (or very early hours of the morning), surrounding the kitchen table and commiserating over our incomplete assignments or looming exams.  In the morning, we will pump ourselves with caffeine and brave class and eagerly await Wednesday evening, when we can at long last return home.

Even with an exam fast approaching, the preparation for which requires me to watch twelve German films in two days, I can’t not update this blog!  The past two weeks have been packed with Shakespeare Society events, and I am willing to sacrifice my study time to keep our readers updated.  You’re welcome.

On March 5th, Shakers old and new gathered at the house for an informal Alum Brunch.  Ah, brunch, the laziest meal of them all.  The Society met at the house with fruit and bagels stolen liberated from the dining hall.  Fortunately, our wonderful alums supplied us with enough pastries to last us weeks and into our exams.

Liz, Nicola, Slanders, and Sam

Recent graduates reconnected told stories about their post-Society lives, about their new apartments and the frightening job hunt.  Older Shakers recounted tales about their time in the Society, from old parties to show fiascos.  Thanks to everyone who was able to attend!

Attendees of Alum Brunch with our beloved Bill

This past weekend, the Society performed our annual House of Fools, wherein Shakers and non-Shakers act in scenes from the Bard’s best comedies.  This year, Galen dressed up like the sketchiest uncle in existence from Pericles, I rolled around on the floor in the meeting room and licked lots of things as Caliban, and Camila and Josh channeled The Breakfast Club to portray the love-hate relationship of Katherine and Petruchio.  Meanwhile, Vanessa, Stephanie, and Amanda baited Maddy in Much Ado about Nothing, while downstairs, Christyl and Marken’s sexual tension was so thick, you could cut it with a knife.  Don’t worry, I caught everything on tape, and the video will soon follow on our YouTube page (http://www.youtube.com/user/WellesleyShakespeare?feature=mhsn).

And in closing this entry, only because Anna keeps reminding me that I can’t possibly be paying attention to Billy Wilder’s films when I’m blogging this ferociously, 24hour Shakespeare is coming up!  As I write this, I am submitting listings to local papers, composing emails to departments and organizations, and designing advertisements.  The event will begin April 1st at noon, through whenever we finish on April 2nd.

In faith and service,

Callie, Vice President

Coming soon:  Callie vs. Tumblr, in which the VP attempts to set up a tumblr for live blogging from 24hour Shakespeare.  Videos and photos from House of Fools, wherein lots of Shakers get hit on and some of them just get hit.  Also, more updates on the progress of Twelfth Night.

Presidential Ponderings

As winter’s grip loosens and Valentines Day roles away into the distance, I, along with the other seniors in the Society, prepare for graduation. It is terrifying. I send out legions of cover letters, little armies of .doc streaming from my computer and defending my ability to write, organize files, and retrieve coffee. I tick-tack out my thesis in the painful hours of the morning, sending my advisor chapters and then collapsing into bed with a numb mind and aching wrists. I spend countless nights in the Shakespeare House surrounded by people who know me intimately and comfortably.

The Society changes every semester. As seniors graduate and juniors study abroad, new members seem to be trickling into the door every time I turn around. But some things stay the same. We still gather on Tuesday night to commiserate over homework and personal troubles, nursing our gossip with ramen and beer. During  lunch and dinner, the long table in the Tower dining hall always contains a row of Shakers. On Thursday nights, Shakers storm the pub with stork-like dance moves and more enthusiasm than grace. (OK- that might just be me- some of the other Shakers are quite lovely dancers.) On the weekends, we throw lavish costume parties or snuggle in the basement with old comedies and bowls of popcorn. Late night rehearsals keep the stage windows glowing and as I pass the house, I can’t help but smile.

It’s a strangely comforting feeling to realize that all of these events will be going on next year. And the year after that. And ten years from now. Someone else will lean out the Juliet Balcony window and lure unsuspecting students into Haus of Fools. Another generation will forget that you can’t run both ovens together and will spend countless hours fruitlessly trying to cook two trays of cookies. An unborn thesising student will discover how warm the meeting room heaters can get and will spend her entire wintersession pressed against these grates while taking notes.

This Saturday (March 5^th) we’ll be having an alum brunch at 11am. I’d like to encourage all local (and not-so-local) alums to stop by and have a few scones or a mimosa or two. The Society has changed, but it has and it will always have a place for every member.

In Faith and Service,

Galen Danskin, President

 

Director’s Note: Seven Weeks to Opening

Our spring production of Twelfth Night premieres in seven weeks, on April 14th.  So far, rehearsals have been going wonderfully; everyone is working hard to bring her/his/hir character to life, and, as we begin putting the scenes and acts together, we’ll see the web of character relationships coalesce.

The Elephant

This interpretation of Twelfth Night is set in the Roaring 20′s.  The bulk of the action takes place in The Elephant, a speakeasy operated by the fair Olivia, and frequented by the wealthy Duke Orsino, who is determined to woo her.  In the aftermath of a yachting accident, during which she lost sight of her twin brother and believes him drowned, the play’s protagonist, Viola, finds herself alone in a strange city and seeks employment with Orsino in the guise of a young man called Cesario.  As Cesario becomes a go-between in Orsino’s stubborn quest to win Olivia, both Olivia and the Duke find themselves drawn to the comely youth.  For her part, Viola/Cesario falls for her employer, but how can she share her feelings without giving away her disguise?

Much of the humor in this buoyant comedy is found in a comic side plot involving an increasingly elaborate prank played by the Falstaffian Sir Toby, the hapless Sir Andrew, and other members of Olivia’s household on Olivia’s insufferable steward, Malvolio.

While not without emotional subtlety and touches of melancholy, this play is high-energy and joyful.  We will continue to enjoy putting it together, and we look forward to seeing you in the audience.

Caroline, Director

“Ladies love sonnets.”

This semester, the Valentine’s Day Sonnet Gram fundraiser was a whopping success. Shakers were spread far and wide across campus, delivering readings of sonnets- sometimes accompanied by a rose- to all those Wellesley sweethearts. If you were trying to find the words to describe this girl without being disrespectful, then you should have said it with Shakespeare. If you didn’t get a chance to order your own Sonnet Gram this year, make sure to look out for them next February.

 

In faith and service,

Maddy, Treasurer

 

“If music be the food of love, play on.”

At long last, the cast list for Twelfth Night!  The production is directed by Caroline Narby, with Marken Shedd as Stage Manager.  More updates about the show are forthcoming.

Twelfth Night Cast List

Viola, Leah H. French

Orsino, Hilary Gross

Olivia, Amanda Braun

Malvolio, Liz Wright

Feste, Margaret Zwiebach

Maria, Anna Moses

Toby, Marken Shedd

Andrew, Kelsey Ridge

Sebastian, Hayley Merrill

Fabian, Allison Walker-Elders

Antonio, Madeline Furlong

Curio, Micaela Palermo

Valentine, Maddy Kallman

Officer, Katie Clark

Officer, Stephanie Gebhardt

Servant, Vannessa Greenleaf

Priest, Annie Wang

Captain, Sarah Heveron-Smith

Bartender (non-speaking), Callie Kovacs

 

As the silent bartender, I am really looking forward to some philosophical conversations at the bar with Father Annie, perhaps culminating in an impromptu duet of “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer.”  I wonder if I can get that one past our director…

In faith and service,

Callie, Vice President

“When, then comes in the sweet o’ the year; For the red blood reigns in the winter’s pale.”

First of all, I am absolutely not blogging during class.  That is unprofessional.  (…at least I’m not livestreaming Glee.)

Second, I apologize for the lack of updates.  The first few weeks of the semester are incredibly busy for the Society, what with teas, casting the show, starting classes, and what you will.  To make up for my lack of posts, this one will be a summary of what we’ve been up to for the past five weeks.

Back in January, the Society welcomed back three of our Juniors who had been abroad during the Fall semester.  Welcome back to Kat, Jo, and Sarah!

Of course, at the beginning of the semester, the Society hosted teas.  ”What are teas?” you non-Wellesley readers may be asking yourselves.  In the society system, often equated to the Greek system, teas are the equivalent of rush.  With cross-dressing.  At teas, Shakers meet applicants and play highly-inventive Shakespeare-themed activities created by yours truly.

Brilliant advertising for Society Teas. This is art.

This year, tea activities included Shakespeare Jeopardy, the Walk Like a Man Workshop, and Society Speed-Teaing.  A special appearance was made by Joseph Gordon-Levitt (played by our very own Kat).

(Left to Right) Leah, Amanda, and Jo bake cookies for the teaers

Ladies and Gents of the Shakespeare Society

After the hectic teaing-process, the Shakespeare Society welcomed seven amazing newbies: Margaret, Kelsey, Anna, Vanessa, Katie, Madeline, and Stephanie!  As is tradition, all of our newbies have been cast in the Spring production of Twelfth Night (stay tuned for a full cast list).

Right now, I am working on organizing our annual Haus of Fools.  At this event, we hold an open house, featuring scenes from Shakespeare’s funniest plays.   This year, look forward to scenes from The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of the Shrew, and Pericles.  Haus of Fools will be held on March 12th from 1pm to 3pm.  For questions or more information about upcoming Society events, contact me at ckovacs@wellesley.edu.

In faith and service,

Callie, Vice President

Coming soon: The annual Haus of Fools means that Shakers go wild!  Look forward to drunken debauchery on the front lawn. Director Caroline gives a progress report about Twelfth Night.

“Thou art right welcome!”

Welcome to the official blog of the Wellesley College Shakespeare Society!

For those unfamiliar with the Society, here is a [very] brief history.  Founded in 1877, the Society has been committed to the study of the works of William Shakespeare and has been performing his plays for over 110 years.   In recent years, the Society has performed The Merry Wives of Windsor, Cymbeline, As You Like It, and most recently Othello.

This Spring, the Society will be performing Twelfth Night, directed by Caroline Narby.  In addition to the play, we will be hosting our annual House of Fools and our popular 24 Hours of Shakespeare.  We will be regularly updating about the goings-on of the Society throughout the semester.  This includes footage of rehearsals, interviews with the cast and crew of the show, as well as other Society events.

Next week, the Spring 2011 semester at Wellesley officially begins, which means the Society will be in full swing.  Expect updates about our upcoming teas and more!

In faith and service,

Callie Kovacs, Vice President