Bartlett High School brings all of Shakespeare to the stage
The Bartlett High School Theater’s “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)” on Nov. 14-16.
The show condenses of all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays in 100 minutes and is modernized in a comedic way.
“If you want to come see a bunch of high school students making fun of some of the most famous playwrights (you should come),” Garrett Mayberry, senior, said.
The play is run by Mike Miserendino, director, Dave Goldman, technical director, and Linda Baker, costume designer. The cast consists of 17 BHS students.
This is Miserendino’s first production at B.H.S. and he has three goals: to have a larger cast and include more BHS talent, to tie in an aspect from the English Department and to do a comedy that could travel.
Through the rehearsal process, cast members are having a great experience working on the play.
“I’ve read the script hundreds of times, but I still find myself laughing,” Miserendino said. “I love how this cast has brought their creativity, positive energy and humor everyday at rehearsal.”
“I love how dedicated everyone is and how close everyone is,” Mayberry said. “We can play off each other; improvisation isn’t a problem for us.”
Behind the curtain, the crew is adding to the production through their creativity.
“We are trying to divide the space we have into three separate areas,” Goldman said. “One of the themes is books, and we’re trying to tie it all together. The center piece is also a book.”
Goldman was trying to keep the crew open to as many students as possible as well as create a set fit for the production.
Junior Liz Rebman has worked on the set every day Tech Club has met.
“I’m not good at talking to people and I can’t act,” Rebman said. “This is a way for me to be a part of all that.”
This witty, fast-paced play is a “good show for Shakespeare lovers, haters and those experiencing Shakespeare for the first time,” Miserendino said.
The production will take place in the B.H.S. Auditorium at 7 p.m. through Saturday Nov. 16. Tickets will be sold at the door and will cost $6 for students and senior citizens, $8 for adults.