The Bard’s annual tribute set at Penn State Fayette
On the over: Surrounded by soldiers, Claudius (Ignacio Garcia-Bustelo) interrogates Hamlet (Jered Hobbs) about the murder of Polonius, while Rosencrantz (Lupe Campos) and Guildenstern (Alex Turner) look on. Pictured are National Players troupe members Moira Todd, Adam Turck, Lupe Campos, Alex Turner, Jered Hobbs, Ignacio Garcia-Bustelo, Audrey Tchoukoua and Shawn Morgenlander in a scene from “Hamlet.” Photo by Paige Hathaway, National Players
Left: National Players of Olney, Maryland, will present “Hamlet” as part of the annual Shakespeare Festival at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 11. Shown Ophelia (Lynn Favin) and Polonius (Audrey Tchoukoua). Polonius comforts his daughter Ophelia after she witnesses Hamlet’s madness.
Paige Hathaway | National Players
“Hamlet” will be presented by National Players of Olney, Maryland, at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 11 as part of the annual Shakespeare Festival at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. Shown Hamlet (Jered Hobbs) and Ghost of Hamlet (Ignacio Garcia-Bustelo). Hamlet is ordered by his father’s ghost to avenge his murder.
“The Giver” will be presented by National Players of Olney, Maryland, at 11 a.m. Oct. 12 in Magerko Auditorium at Penn State Fayette. Shown Asher (Adam Turck) and Jonas (Alex Turner) as Jonas notices the color red for the first time.
Asher (Adam Turck), Jonas (Alex Turner), Fiona (Moira Todd), and The Chief Elder (Audrey Tchoukoua). The Chief Elder distributes occupations at the annual Ceremony of Twelve in “The Giver” on stage at 11 a.m. Oct. 12 at Penn State Fayette.
A powerful tragedy and a modern classic will be the centerpieces for the annual Shakespeare Festival at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, Oct. 11-12.
America’s longest running classical touring company, The National Players of Olney, Maryland, will again bring to campus its mission to stage productions that engage audiences and examine the intersection between great works of literature and contemporary life by offering free performances of “Hamlet” and “The Giver” for students and the public.
Perhaps the Bard’s greatest tragedy, “Hamlet” will be presented in the Maggie Hardy Magerko Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 11.
Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, returns home from school to find his life in ruins. His father is dead, his mother has remarried, and his once uncle (now stepfather) is ruling the country. When his father’s ghost appears before him with dire foreshadowing, Hamlet struggles to redefine his life and find his way forward.
For the first time in 32 years National Players is presenting “Hamlet” and Jason King Jones, the company’s artistic director, is absolutely thrilled to bring the production to the stage.
“I’m directing, and I’m so … excited,” Jones gushed. “It’s an amazing story of a person understanding what it is to actually be human. What it means to take bold action and what are the consequences.”
The second festival performance by National Players will be “The Giver” at 11 a.m. Oct. 12 in the Magerko Auditorium.
“The Giver,” based on the Newbery Award-winning book by Lois Lowry and adapted for the stage by Eric Coble, examines a future of utopian sameness where young Jonas inherits an unusual career — to receive and keep the memories of his community’s past. His elder predecessor, “The Giver,” teaches Jonas of love, war and all of life’s unknown joys and pains. As his oppressive world continues unchanged, Jonas must decide whether to keep these secrets or upend his community.
The modern classic explores the risks and rewards of a full life and speaks to audiences of all ages, according to Jones.
“What I love about presenting ‘The Giver’ in Tour 68 is that it’s the story of a kid who has to shoulder enormous responsibility. As a father myself, I see my kids struggle to figure out the world. From them I understand the world differently,” Jones said.
In addition to offering performances, members of the National Players will also offer two workshops during the Shakespeare Festival at Penn State Fayette:
n Stage Combat workshop, 11:15 a.m. Oct. 11
n Taking Hamlet From Page to Stage workshop, 12:15 p.m. Oct. 11
The teaching workshops are part of a two-pronged mission to present and educate the next generation of theater makers while engaging and exploring communities around the country and presenting extraordinary theater.
“The 10 members of the National Players troupe are not only highly skilled actors in a repertoire company, they’re also skilled training and teaching artists,” Jones said.
Now in its 44th year, the festival has become a cornerstone in campus outreach, and retired English professor Dennis Brestensky has been there from the beginning.
“It’s such a great opportunity for students to learn about Shakespeare’s life, writing, impact of his work on us. And it’s been pretty interesting through the years to see the student’s take on him,” said Brestensky.
Brestensky enjoys the talent the National Players has brought to the campus for the last 18 years as well and is pleased he has been able to obtain funding through the Magerko Cultural Fund to keep the activities and performances free to the public.
“Most colleges that bring in National Players must charge the public but we have been able to keep this event free which is important because the opportunity to see performances of this caliber are very rare,” he said.
Brestensky also said he relies on campus student affairs coordinators, Chad Long and Johnny Marcolini, to assist him in bringing the annual festival together.
Since moving the festival from the student center to the auditorium, it has allowed for expansion and additional opportunities for the public to see the performances.
Admission is free but reservations must be made by calling 724-430-4271.