Well it’s that time of the year again folks. The DCCC theater department is preparing to put on their production of William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.”
The cast of “Tempest” stands for their picture.(Photo by Tim Brennan) The story is centered on Prospero, a sorcerer and former Duke of Milan. Prospero and his daughter Miranda were unceremoniously banished to an island by Prospero’s brother Antonio and Alonso, the king of Naples.
The story takes place twelve years later when Antonio and Alonso pass by the island on a ship. Prospero sees this an opportunity for revenge. With the help of his servant Ariel, he raises a huge storm to wreck the ship. The survivors are then separated; among them is Antonio, Alonso, and Alonso’s son Ferdinand, who upon arriving quickly falls in love with Miranda.
Nick Roscioli, a 19-year-old theater major, is playing the role of Prospero in this, his third show at DCCC. Roscioli finds himself playing the protagonist lead for the first time in his theater career. “I’m not used to having so many lines,” Roscioli said. “But I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”
Roscioli leads a cast of DCCC theater veterans including Sandy Lawler, Mario Canavarro, Alexander Fraser, and Greg Friedrich. The cast also welcomes new comer Henry Ventura, an 18-year-old theater major, playing the role of Ferdinand.
Ventura joins a cast that feels very confident in one another. “Each actor was very well cast,” Roscioli said. “Rehearsals are going really well,” added 20-year-old theater major Mario Canavarro, who plays the role of Ariel. “People are more off book than usual.”
The cast not only respects each other, but also director Stephen Smith.
“There’s a lot to learn from Steve,” Canavarro said. “A lot of his ideas and techniques rub off on you."
“I can’t be mean, he’s too good of a director,” said Greg Friedrich, a 19-year-old liberal arts student playing the role of Antonio.
Theater student Alexander Fraser, 22, who plays the role of Caliban, went on to add that he really liked the creative vision for the show.
The show has an interesting set design. Smith said the set will contain two large trees that will help act as the mast of the ship in the opening scene, and stay on set as part of the island throughout the show. “The floor will be painted to look like an island,” Smith said.
He also added there will be two large hands on stage, one in the shape of a fist and one that is open. Those attending can expect a surprise from these hands.
The show’s music will be done with a reggae theme, and the show’s one dance scene is being choreographed by Danamarie Every, an assistant professor of speech and communications at DCCC.
Every, who has studied dance for 18 years and has choreographed various theater productions, is very committed to Smith’s vision. “It’s all about feeling good,” said Every, in reference to the reggae style. “It was all about Stephens' vision.”
Also playing a large role in bringing Smiths vision to life is costume designer Mack McKamey.
McKamey, a 22-year-old fashion design student, is going to have the fairies and creatures in the show essentially dressed like drag queens, while the human characters will be dressed more like gangsters to go along with Smith’s contemporary vision of the show.
“Costume-wise, it’ll be the best show at DCCC,” McKamey said.
The show opens November 10 at the Marple campus.
Contact Tim Brennan at
communitarian@mail.dccc.edu
