A
cast of more than 25 students and faculty have taken on the challenge
of playing more than 36 roles in the Berea College Theatre Laboratory's
upcoming production of Shakespeare's Richard III. The play will
open Feb. 27 and continue through March 6.
As part of the effort needed to prepare for the mammoth production,
students and staff took Berea's January Short Term course "Shakespeare
in Performance," working hard in their class to make sure
the language and combat scenes look authentic.
"We felt it necessary to offer a class in performing and
speaking, as well as the research and historical context of Richard
III," says Deborah Martin, Director of Theatre as well as
the play. To help the cast with this task, Martin brought in
the expertise of Robert Ek., a professional fight choreographer.-
Eck is currently teaching movement and voice at the University
of Wisconsin Stevens Point, and has an MFA in Directing from
the University of Alabama. He has also taught movement and stage
combat workshops at the Old Globe Theatre, University of Alabama,
Louisiana Tech, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and Stillman
College. Eck was brought to Berea College specifically to help
the students with the several combat scenes that appear in Richard
III.
Eck enjoyed his time on Berea College campus. "It has been
great experience to work with this production and the students," Eck
says. "The level of commitment and talent here are impressive,
and the College has a great theatre program- something I'm sure
the community if proud of."
Eck will be returning to the campus in mid-February to assist
with technical rehearsals of Richard III.
For additional information on the production, contact Deborah
Martin (859) 985-3419. Tickets are on sale now and can be reserved
by calling the Box Office at (859) 985-3300.
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