MIA CIECHALSKI
Life & Arts Editor
The Theater Department added modern flair to traditional Shakespeare with its recent rendition of “Twelfth Night.”
Directed by Professor Paul Mockovak, the play represents the Theater Department’s second production of the spring semester.
Shakespeare is well-known in the English language and theater world, so having one of his works be included in the 2024-2025 Walter Gloor Mainstage Season was a no-brainer, says Mockovak.
When it comes to putting together any type of show, there is always a lot of work that comes with it.
Senior BFA acting major Harley Selegean, who is playing Malvolio, said, “Like any show, it’s been filled with trial and error, throwing spaghetti at the wall.”
Not only was putting together a show like this a challenge in a group setting, but it had some personal challenges as well.
Senior BFA acting major Katie Spina, who is playing Feste, said, “For me personally, the most challenging part of putting this show together was the added aspect of learning original music composed by Dr. [Rob] Deemer.”
This is Spina’s second Shakespeare show she has been a part of, and she said the addition of learning new music has been equally challenging and rewarding.
Director Mockovak said, “What makes ‘Twelfth Night’ such an enduring work is [that it’s] one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays; it is a masterful blend of comedy, romance and some deeply human themes of love (both romantic and unrequited), identity, and wisdom vs. foolishness.”
The characters in “Twelfth Night” have a wide variety of characteristics, ranging from strong and intelligent to resourceful and mischievous.
Mockovak further attributes the play’s allure to its brilliant wordplay and imagery that provides “comedy with depth.”
While getting the chance to be a part of this show, the students who are involved also learned some techniques during the rehearsal duration.
According to Selegean, “One of my biggest takeaways was probably the rhythm of Shakespeare.”
On the last day in their rehearsal space before taking the production to the stage, Selegean said, “Professor Mockovak called an ‘Italian run’; essentially just a speed run, where all the tempos are cranked up.”
The show is about two hours, and when the cast did the speed run, they did it in about an hour and 20 minutes.
“On that day, I learned that Shakespeare’s comedy in particular shouldn’t be milked unless earned — something so simple and obvious, but it didn’t make sense until I saw the principle in action,” said Selegean.
This production has a cast of 16 students, including understudies. There are also student designers and crews that build and assist backstage, along with a stage management team.
Altogether, there were about 65 people involved in this production.
Some of the cast and crew provided easter eggs for past or future attendees of the show to look out for.
Spina said to keep an eye out for any rubber chickens. “They are a Professor Mockovak staple for every show, and I must say, this may be the best scavenger hunt to find them yet,” said Spina.
Aside from the rubber chickens, there are other highlights to this mainstage production.
“There are several songs in the text with original music by Deemer. We have interpolated two of Shakespeare’s sonnets to amplify some of the themes and set them to music as well,” said Mockovak.
According to Mockovak, there are also beautiful and elegant sets utilizing many levels and projections to support their imagining of Illyria, which is where the play takes place.
Both Selegean and Spina’s favorite memory of putting together “Twelfth Night” was doing their cast dance parties.
“That’s how our cast would warm up every rehearsal — cast member Ryan Okun would lead us in a pattern of dance moves, and elect other people to lead the group, too. The show just wasn’t the same when we missed it; it became an essential part of the process and did wonders for bonding the cast,” said Selegean.
“Twelfth Night” performs on March 28-30 and April 3-5 in the Marvel Theater.
Mockovak said, “Our goal is to provide entertainment with this production. If the themes resonate more with others, that is great. But let’s escape to Illyria and enjoy the story.”