Professionals from around Pensacola have come together to read and interpret one of William Shakespeareâs lesser-known works, KING JOHN, in a project benefiting the Southeastern Teen Shakespeare Company.
Gathered together at the JE Hall Center for just three rehearsals before the Saturday, July 26 performance, these community members are taking on roles in a story about a fight over the English throne. Brian Spivey, English Language Arts Specialist for Escambia County Schools, is reading the title role. King John leads his army to France, where forces are gathering around King Philip of France (read by Spiveyâs wife, LaDonna) to depose John and place his nephew Arthur (read by Josh Patterson, 12) on the throne.
âWeâre excited to have so many community members playing with us,â said director Michelle Hancock, who is also reading the role of Constance. âUsually, our teen company members play all of the roles in our productions. This time, though, they are playing with adults â some of whom have pursued acting as a profession, like Brian or Meg Peltier (Executive Director of Pensacola Little Theatre, who is reading Elinor). Others in our cast have never done anything like this before, like Daniel Rutter (USAF, Ret., who is reading Lord Melun).
Also included in the cast are Lena DeFlores, news anchor at WEAR 3; Paul Stadden, producer of Pensacola Right Now on News Radio 1620; three current company members; two former members of the company; some parents; and several other community supporters.
âItâs one of the histories,â said Hancock, âbut the play has a good deal of action and laughs. We plan to really highlight those sections of the script. Itâs a staged reading, so, even though all of the actors will be holding scripts, we will be moving around, charging up the aisles, and fighting battles. Everyone is really getting into the roles.â
The performance will be held Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 7:00pm at the Hagler Auditorium at Pensacola State College. Suggested donation for admission is $10. The event is being sponsored by Gulf Coast Community Bank.
The Southeastern Teen Shakespeare Company is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing teens in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties with instruction and performance opportunities that lead to their significant growth as artists, community members, and human beings. Each season, the organization chooses a core company that performs at local fairs and festivals, giving teens a taste of what itâs like to be a professional, working actor. In their conservatory classes, students learn all aspects of performance, including voice and speech, movement, acting, stage combat, and textual interpretation.
Event: King John Staged Reading Fund Raiser
Date: July 26, 2014
Time: 7 pm
Venue: Hagler Auditorium, Pensacola State College
Admission: $10 suggested donation