A long-standing tradition, the winter play returns to DGS.
The winter play has been a part of the DGS drama schedule for numerous years and has become an annual event that both students and staff look forward to. The show has been long anticipated after a changing drama schedule influenced a winter play rather than a musical. While the show is performed in the winter, it isn’t typically winter or holiday-themed.
This year’s show, Shakespeare in Love, follows a young William Shakespeare on a fictional journey as he writes his most famous work, Romeo and Juliet.
English teacher and drama program sponsor Nathaniel Haywood is directing the show and shares the story.
“As we meet him in the play, he’s struggling with ideas and trying to figure out how to do it. We meet this whole cast of characters who are living in his world, and they all give him inspiration in different ways. We see how he ultimately pieced it together from the aspects of his life,” Haywood said.
Sophomore Nate Clinnin is playing the role of William Shakespeare and shares about what that means to him.
“He is the protagonist, the romantic interest of Viola, a poet and a writer. I am excited to do a romantic play and learn how to incorporate that into my acting,” Clinnin said.
One of the most pivotal characters to Shakespeare is Viola De Lesseps, the ingénue played by Sophomore Viktorija Sabaliauskas.
“She was born into a wealthy family, and she doesn’t know what she wants in life. But then she meets Shakespeare and she ultimately decides to follow her heart instead of her head,” Sabaliauskas said.
Aside from Shakespeare and Viola, Shakespeare in Love contains a larger cast of colorful, lively characters that eventually come to shape Romeo and Juliet.
Junior Ellen Toohey plays numerous ensemble characters within the show, but also serves as a student director and explains the aspects she enjoys about student directing.
“Usually, you’re only seeing one group of scenes coming together, but I get to see the entire show from start to finish. I’m really excited to see some of the ideas that I’ve incorporated come to life on stage,” Toohey said.
The larger cast not only adds character and life to the show, but also opens doors to students within the theater program.
“It gave a lot of students opportunities to be in the show and have challenges that they may not have had before. I’m really excited to see what the actors do with their characters. There’s a lot of really fun elements to the show, and so seeing how they tackle the characters, as a lot of actors play multiple characters, and seeing what they do with it,” Haywood said.
The play contrasts with the typical Shakespearean style, bringing in elements of humor with a storyline that keeps the audience engaged and a true, heartfelt message. The show is driven by powerful themes of both independence and determination.
“The audience gets a taste of Shakespeare without that full-on Old English experience. It’s entertaining, but you’ll also walk away with something. It is applicable to everyday life and in the world today, with the idea of being able to persevere and find success even in the midst of hardship and craziness,” Haywood said.
Performances will be held in the studio theater on Dec. 4, 5 and 6.
