BWW Preview: FS Young Company Celebrates Win at Utah Festival, Salter Sisters Celebrate Roles in Upcoming COMEDY OF ERRORS

Excellence from these talented youth was achieved in Utah. The company usually places in the top five spots, and this year garnered four awards, including with a tie for first place by winning the Overall Team Trophy. Cezanne Smith placed third in the Monologue category, and the twins, Alex and Sydney, took home two first place awards. Alex won first place in the Duo/Trio Category with Lawson Mitchell, and Sydney won the Larry Lott Acting Award for overall best performance. These stunning wins speak to the excellence accomplished by Maclay, Kearns and their troupe.

Alex and Sydney, both 17 year old seniors at Germantown High School, were waiting before a rehearsal, and spent some time sharing their thoughts on the team experience. Both hope to continue in theater after their spring graduation Each sister waits to hear from select theater colleges, for upcoming auditions after the holiday season. While each won an individual award, the team presentation was based on the theme "Youthful Rebellion," a selection of Shakespearean scenes compiled and directed by Maclay, that eventually transformed into the title "Take My Defiance." Alex explained that as Maclay worked on the presentation, he noticed a similarity with the women characters and says the selected scenes explored, "Women being put down by men. Throughout the performance, the women showcased how their fate was decided so the women became stronger as the presentation continued-fighting against the patriarchy when necessary."

The eleven participants, nine women and two men, perfectly transferred into this theme. First Stage's entry began with the final scene in Taming of the Shrew,directed with the traditional presentation, and ended with the same scene, only directed with an ironic twist to Kate's words.

Alex, who won for this duo scene, believes, "The final scene [at the end of the team presentation] the woman illustrates her inner strength."

"Being at the Utah Shakespeare Festival was amazing-- Everyone loved Shakespeare and the energy was incredible, " Alex emphasizes. Sydney nods in agreement, and adds, "We walked in in the mountains. We could see other people's art-we were sharing art and Shakespeare."

After the team's stellar win in Utah, Alex and Sydney prepare for Young Company's upcoming production opening this weekend, December 9. In Shakespeare's Comedy, two sets of twins create a madcap adventure set in Greece. Alex and Sydney play the two Dromios, servants of the twins princes, who were all separated at birth in a shipwreck. Maclay directs the production, staging Shakespeare's comedy in a timeless setting where the characters wear white clothing against a bare set. Physical humor plays into Shakespeare's hilarious farce of mistaken identities and underscored with old and modern Greek music.

Alex and Syndney each commented that the two Dromios represent experiences in their real lives. Just as the servant Dromios are mistaken for one another, the twin sisters were often mistaken for the other, which also happens today. As babies, only their parents could tell them apart. They conclude saying in sync, "We're often lumped together. Alex answers to Sydney, and I answer to Alex."

Young Company's Comedy of Errors features primarily women, with only one man who cross dresses and plays Adriana, the married sister to one of the two princes. Along with the Shakespearean selection in their 13th season, Young Company will produce the classic Animal Farm by George Orwell, and then a world premiere by Eric Coble, TXT U L8R. This season also celebrates First Stage's 30th anniversary, and Maclay says, "In the future we plan for continued excellence training high school theatre students, but also evolving into a center that develops new plays about teens."

As First Stage's 30th season features four world premieres, and one from Young Company, Maclay speaks to these worthy goals. After spending time with young adults all over America who love Shakespeare, Alex and Syndney comment on their favorite Bard work from his canon. Alex suggests A Midsummer's Night Dream, and Taming of the Shrew. Sydney revels in the work of a later Shakespeare play A Winter's Tale. Speaking further, she explains, "The stakes are really high in that play. Hermione is a character that is really difficult to put yourself into, but gratifying."

Both sisters agree about the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and their upcoming production when they say: "We went to do the work, and make a difference."

These young performers make a difference everyday as they pursue their future dreams, whether in the theatre or other professions. For this upcoming weekend, producing Shakespeare once again, will be a must see for Milwaukee audiences as they might congratulate these young performers on their substantial accomplishments. Maclay echoes that quality and believes that Young Company's excellence will prevail however these teenagers challenge themselves. Then the director adds why Shakespeare continually resonates with young people and audiences across the globe: "He understood what it was to be human in any time...maybe better than anyone."

First Stage's Young Company presents William Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors at the Milwaukee Youth Art Center beginning Friday, December 9 through December 18. Young Company members participating in the Utah Shakespeare Festival included: Abigail Barbeau, Alex Salter, Cezanne Smith, Hope Riesterer, Lawson Mitchell, Maddie Mainwood, Marion Frank, Rachel Popodzinski, Sydney Salter and Teddy Esten. For performance schedule and tickets, please call 414.267.2961 or visit www.firststage.org.