Mundelein Theatre to perform Shakespeare on athletic field
Live theater has been hard to come by these past months, but the students of Mundelein Theatre decided that it was time to get back on the stage and do what they love to do: create theater.
The administration and the theater staff at MHS have created a way to have students perform live, in front of an audience, outdoors in the Mundelein High School Stadium.
"Much Ado About Nothing" by William Shakespeare will be presented on the athletic field at MHS at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16; 2:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday Oct. 17; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18. Additionally, the Mundelein Theatre Shakespeare Slam Team will give a special performance.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Tickets are available online only at www.mundeleintheatre.org. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
Seating for the show is on the football field, so patrons should bring their own lawn chairs. In order to comply with state regulations for public gatherings, seating is limited to 150 seats per show.
"Everyone involved agreed that for the sake of the students, staff and community, we needed to make this happen," said Jonathan Meier, the show's director. "Performing Shakespeare outdoors has a rich history throughout the world, so it was the natural choice when we decided to go with an outdoor production."
"Playing this role has been a dream of mine for quite a while," said senior Mary McMurray, who plays Beatrice in the show. "I have to admit that I never visualized it standing on the 50-yard line on our football field, but that just makes it more exciting."
Senior Matthew Callas plays the role of Benedick. "Everyone is thrilled to be performing for a live audience. It is certainly a challenge to be playing scenes with other actors and staying at least six feet apart. It is an experience that none of us will soon forget," he said.
"When our staff is willing to go above and beyond to create meaningful opportunities for our students and families, administration is willing to do anything we can to support those efforts," said Mike Pope, assistant principal of student services.
"The theater team at MHS worked out a plan, was willing to dedicate extra time in order to pull it off, and the direct benefit of those efforts will go to our students. We are very excited that Mundelein Theatre is able to create these opportunities in a safe and secure environment."
In addition to McMurray and Callas, the cast consists of Roy Dumblauskas as Don Pedro, Alexis Lee as Leonata, Will Gonzalez as Claudio, Mira Guiritan as Hero, Lance Evans as Dogberry, Austin Knight as Don Joh, Megan Saunders as Ursula, Amari Liebe as Margaret, Addison Salski as Antonia, Eli Walter as Borachio, Leandro Ocampo as Conrade, Andy Lacroix as Friar Francis, Saedy Kugler as Verges, Brenda Olayo as Sexton, Grace Sciortino as Balthasar and assistant director and Abigail Marquardt as Messenger.
Joslyn Gagne and Zoe Trahan are the stage managers, as well as appearing as the Watchmen. Rosy Castro is an assistant director, and Meghan Matthys is the assistant stage manager.