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Independence, MO —
Eugene Wallace had never thought about participating in the theater program at Van Horn high School. That is until he went to a production last year and liked what he saw.
And in auditioning for his first play, the Van Horn senior nabbed the lead role in the spring production of William Shakespeare’s “Othello.”
“This is the first one I have ever been in, so it has definitely been a challenge,” he said of his role. “I decided to try theater, and I really like it. It has been fun to see how everything comes together.”
“Othello” is at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday as well as May 11 and 12 at Van Horn High School. Admission is $5 for students and $7 for community members. Instead of performing it on the auditorium stage, the play will take place outside in the school’s courtyard.
“Outside is where Shakespeare’s plays were originally performed, so that is why I wanted to give my students this kind of experience,” said Sarah Varley, drama teacher and director. “It is good for them to work in a non-traditional theater space. We have also done a lot of work in the courtyard, planting flowers and cleaning it up, so it is also a way for us to enjoy this space.”
Junior Trey McNally is the play’s technical director. He has been in charge of props and set design, helping the entire play come together.
“You can do so much with Shakespeare. It has evolved into modern times, but there is still the same message,” he said. “I think it is very beneficial for us as high school students to perform Shakespeare because it gives us the opportunity to learn and comprehend that language. It will prepare us more for college.”
“Othello” revolves around Othello, his wife Desdemona, Cassio, Othello’s lieutenant in the Venetian Army, and Iago, an ensign. Iago convinces Othello that his beloved wife and Cassio are having an affair, planting seeds of doubt in Othello’s mind and planting evidence that implicates them. Othello orders both to be killed. Othello kills his wife in her own bed, while Iago fails to kill Cassio, only injuring him. In the meantime, it comes to light what Iago has done, and in despair, Othello takes his own life.
Sophomore Alex Hanes plays Desdemona, Othello’s simplistic and innocent wife. Hanes said the biggest challenge preparing was interpreting what Shakespeare wrote. She said it is important for all of the actors to know what Shakespeare meant, so that they can properly convey that to the audience.
“There is this great feeling when you finally understand what Shakespeare is saying. Once you know that, it feels like heaven,” she said. “I think Act 5 is my favorite because the mood is all over the place. It is interesting and fun because the climax and resolution are happening all at once.”
Eugene Wallace had never thought about participating in the theater program at Van Horn high School. That is until he went to a production last year and liked what he saw.
And in auditioning for his first play, the Van Horn senior nabbed the lead role in the spring production of William Shakespeare’s “Othello.”
“This is the first one I have ever been in, so it has definitely been a challenge,” he said of his role. “I decided to try theater, and I really like it. It has been fun to see how everything comes together.”
“Othello” is at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday as well as May 11 and 12 at Van Horn High School. Admission is $5 for students and $7 for community members. Instead of performing it on the auditorium stage, the play will take place outside in the school’s courtyard.
“Outside is where Shakespeare’s plays were originally performed, so that is why I wanted to give my students this kind of experience,” said Sarah Varley, drama teacher and director. “It is good for them to work in a non-traditional theater space. We have also done a lot of work in the courtyard, planting flowers and cleaning it up, so it is also a way for us to enjoy this space.”
Junior Trey McNally is the play’s technical director. He has been in charge of props and set design, helping the entire play come together.
“You can do so much with Shakespeare. It has evolved into modern times, but there is still the same message,” he said. “I think it is very beneficial for us as high school students to perform Shakespeare because it gives us the opportunity to learn and comprehend that language. It will prepare us more for college.”
“Othello” revolves around Othello, his wife Desdemona, Cassio, Othello’s lieutenant in the Venetian Army, and Iago, an ensign. Iago convinces Othello that his beloved wife and Cassio are having an affair, planting seeds of doubt in Othello’s mind and planting evidence that implicates them. Othello orders both to be killed. Othello kills his wife in her own bed, while Iago fails to kill Cassio, only injuring him. In the meantime, it comes to light what Iago has done, and in despair, Othello takes his own life.
Sophomore Alex Hanes plays Desdemona, Othello’s simplistic and innocent wife. Hanes said the biggest challenge preparing was interpreting what Shakespeare wrote. She said it is important for all of the actors to know what Shakespeare meant, so that they can properly convey that to the audience.
“There is this great feeling when you finally understand what Shakespeare is saying. Once you know that, it feels like heaven,” she said. “I think Act 5 is my favorite because the mood is all over the place. It is interesting and fun because the climax and resolution are happening all at once.”
