The Elm Student Newspaper
Fakespeare rehearses for Baltimore performance
Andria Hayes-Birchler
The Royale Fakespeare Players will perform
at the Baltimore Inner Harbor Amphitheater
April 21 at 8 p.m.
Jonas Johnson, Elm photographer
Drama takes many forms at Washington College. Senior thesis productions provide free plays for students; Riverside Players showcases campus talent; and Writers' Theatre allows students to try out all aspects of creating and producing a play.
Yet, despite the numerous types of drama on campus, Fakespeare always manages to be distinctly unique - and will continue to be with their performance at the Baltimore Inner Harbor Amphitheater Saturday, April 21 at 8 p.m.
Fakespeare, an offshoot of Riverside Players, allows student actors to express their inner-comedians by creating mock plays based on Shakespearean plays or scenes.
Under the direction of Mindy Beers, the actors put together shows that are known for their humor and wit.
Sophomore Jillian Fletcher, a Fakespeare actor, said, "I love Fakespeare.
It is a fun group of talented people and we get to do big, out-there things."The group's upcoming production will take place at the Baltimore Inner Harbor Amphitheater, and it will be one of their biggest shows ever.
Fletcher explained, "The upcoming performance differs from others because we were invited to perform so far off campus. As far as I know, we have never traveled with a show to Baltimore. We were invited through alumni because Fakespeare worked reunion weekend for them last year."
Sophomore Luke Witt, also a Fakespeare actor, commented, "It will be quite interesting, since we will not only be performing outside but we will also be in Baltimore in front of a public audience."
He added, "Anyone, affiliated with the college or not, will have the opportunity to see us."
The production will be similar to previous Fakespeare productions at WC.
Shakespearean scenes will be performed with a twist, and the audience will help re-write the scene through a series of ad-libs.
These ad-libbed scenes were used earlier in the year at the Christmas Renaissance Dinner and again at an on-campus Fakespeare production. Fakespeare is currently working hard to rehearse the scenes for their Baltimore performance.
Witt said of the rehearsals, "The preparation has been like it is for most Fakespeare performances: 'quick and dirty,' as Mindy [Beers] likes to say."
Fletcher added, "I think the show will be fabulous. We always manage, no matter how chaotic our lives are, to pull together a good show. Everyone is really excited about getting to perform in a professional setting."
Other performers noted the rushed pace of the rehearsals, but they remain optimistic about the show.
Chris Kennedy, a sophomore actor, explained, "I hope that it works out well. It will definitely be interesting."
Fletcher agreed: "I'm excited about the show. It'll be nice to have a new audience and be in a new space. I think it's a great opportunity and I'm very excited."
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