The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Alphabet Theatre takes on the Bard
Alphabet Theatre in Mayfield has an ambitious production this weekend that they are eager to share as they make final preparations for this year’s spring production.
The show is “Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.” Performances are May 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m. and May 6 at 2 p.m.
Although William Shakespeare is clearly the original author of this story, this staging features original music by Jill Pappenhagen. Students from four different school districts in grades 6-12 are presenting this Shakespeare classic in the original language. Costumes are designed by Betsy Bond and photography has been supplied by Paul Rampe.
Cast members have also created original artwork for this production.
“It’s one of Shakespeare’s shows that really showcases music,” Pappenhagen tells me. “Unfortunately, we have no record of the music, so you have to either use music and pay royalty fees or write your own. I wrote our own. I actually scored the music eight years ago for piano, bass, trumpet and percussion. This year our space is smaller and we had no pit band, so I learned how to play ukulele and created all new music.”
Shakespearean ukulele? Tell me you’ve heard that one before and I’ll mail you a dollar.
“ABC Theater is my second family,” says cast member Emma Bryson.
“They have been with me for over four years and helped me through tough times. Rehearsals are like a world separate from my everyday stresses where I can do fun activities and hang out with my friends/theater brothers and sisters. They have helped me become a better actress, I hope, and a better person. ABC Theater means a safe space with my family.”
“Alphabet Theater is one of the greatest ways to enjoy being pulled out of your comfort zone,” adds Ianna Bright, a homeschooled junior member of the cast. “It is a safe environment where kids are encouraged to try new things, no matter how silly. Bob and Jill (Pappenhagen) are some of the most loving people I know and I can say that they definitely played a big part in making me more comfortable with being myself around others.
“The shows we do are always fun to do and watch, but the group of friends that they’ve worked so hard on creating is truly the best part. The best way I can describe my experiences with Alphabet Theater is: Come for the show, stay for the family.”
It wouldn’t be a good Shakespearean play without a little bit of swordplay. That can create a challenge, but Jill Pappenhagen says that the cast has spent a lot of time learning how to do it the right way.
“We feel it’s important to give kids access to professionalgrade costumes, tech, and properties and even more important to teach the respect for that equipment,” Pappenhagen tells me. “All of our cast members go through stage combat practice with and without weapons. Learning how to slap and kick and fall and not get hurt is extremely important.
“We start with the push, move on to slaps, build up to falls, kicks, and brawls,” she said. “Then we add sticks and stage posture. Then we add the actual weapon. Care of the weapon, respect for the weapon. Safety is a top priority! For every minute of staged fighting there are hours of rehearsal.
“We rent the weapons from a theatrical weapons supplier — these are items that are used in movies, theatrical productions, and university theater school programs.”
Only two nights to catch this “Twelfth Night.”