SPT's Youth Program Presents William Shakespeare's THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, 8/8-10

This summer SPT's Youth Program is taking The Taming of the Shrew to the high seas - prepare for a wild voyage through one of Shakespeare's earliest and most controversial comedies, about a strong-willed couple hell-bent on confusing and outwitting each other right up to the play's equivocal conclusion. There are many exciting questions to ask with this screwball comedy and this production seeks to answer them with plenty of slapstick, gender bending...and pirates!

"The Taming of the Shrew is a farce--satirical and absurd--that by its own equivocal nature provokes conversation and divides audiences," says director Emily Purington. "Going into this play, I invited the actors to think about the idea of the 'mask'. Not just literal masks to change one's appearance, but behaviorally and socially. How do we alter ourselves to 'fit in'? How do we change who we are (and/or who we appear to be) in order to be accepted? What are the masks we wear? By extension, I chose a pirate theme because I felt like it would pair nicely with the play's elements of disguise, social boundaries, gender expectations, identity, and, of course: money. It's no wonder we unofficially refer to the play as Taming of the Pirate Queen."

The Taming of the Shrew is directed by Emily Purington and assistant directed by Abby Stein. The production features the acting talents of Aaron Sterne, Aliza Cosgrove, Anya Jones, Eileen MacDonald, Finn Hammen, Gracie Theobald, Griffin Cheng, Helen Chamberlin, Junia Paulus, Margaux Daniel, Natalie Delman, RubyRose Gonzalez, Sophia Bondi, Stella Foster, Stellan Rude, and Tessa Weinland. The Taming of the Shrew is stage managed by Katherine Draves. Featuring light design by Stacie Purington, costume design by Olivia Sterne.

This ensemble features actors grades 5 to 8.

FOUR [free] performances: Friday, August 8th @ 7pm, Saturday, August 9th @ 2pm & 7pm, and Sunday, August 10th @ 2pm. Admission to allyouth performances are free to the community. Donations are encouraged to support SPT's Theater Youth Program and to offer student tuition assistance.

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