By Sergio Bardesi-Texocotitla ’22
A&E Editor and Chive Editor
In late October, Lake Forest College’s theater department presented a rendition of All the World’s a Stage, created and directed by Daina Giesler, which abridges William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night or What You Will. The play took place on a newly constructed stage outside of Hixon Hall. Giesler’s abridged version focuses on twins Viola and Sebastian, played by Claire Churchill ’24 and Cameron Penn ’24 respectively, who are separated because of a shipwreck.
According to musical director Stephen Boyer, who also played the piano during the show, the musical score included old songs and new songs. “I feel like it’s more the cast show than anything,” he said. A few obvious additions include: a parody of “Welcome to the Renaissance” from Something Rotten!; “He’s a Pirate” from Pirates of the Caribbean; “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from “Mulan”; and “Brush up on Your Shakespeare” from “Kiss Me! Kate.”
Second-year Justin Martin, who played Sir Toby Belch, said, “Stephen [and] Daina were very receptive to our suggestions.” For a sword fight scene, Martin and a fellow actor wanted “Duel of the Fates” from “Star Wars, episode III” in the background but eventually settled for the above mentioned, “He’s a Pirate.” He continues, “There was a lot of input… and feedback from the cast members” especially those who were going to have music involved in their parts.
Churchill played Viola who disguises herself as Cesario in order to find work. Viola/Cesario finds herself in a difficult love triangle that fuels most of the drama for this play. Churchill said, “It was kind of strange at first… it had been so long since I had been in an acting environment… I wasn’t sure how to act for a bit.”
This lack of practice was compounded with the difficulties of delivering Shakespeare to an audience. Churchill will rely on facial cues to deliver a message. On October 15, weather issues forced the show indoors which required the actors to wear masks, affecting the artistic choices of the show. For Churchill, “It meant making bigger physical choices… [and] being a lot more clear with diction.”
The theater department only did virtual performances for the enjoyment of others during the previous academic year. They used a special program and they “did Zoom performances of short one acts or student-written pieces…improv, stuff like that,” Churchill said.
Churchill noted that she “did not really create any bonds or friendships… because we just got on Zoom, did the rehearsal, and left.”
According to Churchill, this performance allowed the actors to develop bonds, wear costumes, and be on set. Martin said, “Theater… is more so you get to play somebody else… for the enjoyment of others.” Aside from the difficulties of giving a show, the cast performed splendidly, and I look forward to seeing their spring production.
