Local students experience Shakespeare LIVE

The first week of February, juniors and seniors from each of Washington County’s high schools took part in a unique experience. The Wilcox Gallery brought the Alabama Shakespeare Festival to the county to perform Shakespeare live and to offer a hands-on workshop for the students.

On February 1, the ASF troupe was at Leroy High School performing “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” for LHS and McIntosh High School juniors and seniors. On February 2, the troupe performed the play at Washington County High School for juniors and seniors from WCHS, Fruitdale High School, and Millry High School. Following the performances each day, the troupe provided a workshop with a group of 40 students, giving students the opportunity to work with the actors on theatre skills and Shakespeare's language.

“One of our goals at the Wilcox Gallery is to promote the arts and education in our community. We do that by providing exposure to the arts and offering hands-on learning experiences. There is just nothing like the powerful effect of seeing Shakespeare live. Through this event, we were able to not only offer an incredible performance but a unique workshop with professional actors,” said Alicia Atcheson, executive director of the Wilcox Gallery.

The ASF troupe’s version of Shakespeare's play trims “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” to just over an hour while keeping the great characters, the verse, and the compelling comic action. Directed by ASF's Greta Lambert, herself a renowned Shakespeare actress, the touring show features eight actors chosen from New York auditions. These eight actors performed all the roles in the play, doubling or tripling roles just as Shakespeare's own company did. They brought a complete theatre with set, costumes, and props.

“We were excited to provide this experience for our local students. I truly believe it was an experience they’ll never forget,” said Atcheson.

This ASF in Washington County production is underwritten by the Wilcox Foundation and the following community partners: Long Leaf Land & Timber, LLC, BASF, Olin, First Community Bank, Clarke-Washington EMC, Turner, Onderdonk, Kimbrough, Howell, Huggins & Bradley, P.C., Millry Communications, Capstone Bank, Woodrow Reynolds & Son Timber Company, Courthouse Drugs, Andrews Hardware & Seed Store Chatom, and Williams Financial Group.

See more photos from the performance on our Facebook page by clicking HERE.