“Mark now, how a plain tale shall put you down.” William Shakespeare was a world-famous playwright from the 16th century, the author of 37 plays and 154 sonnets.
MASH is lucky to have a great Shakespeare program. The program has performed four of Shakespeare’s works, and is now working on this year’s production, Henry the Fourth.
In the past, the Mauro-Sheridan Shakespeare program has performed the Bard’s The Tempest, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, and last year As you Like it.
Professional actor Jeremy Funke is the director of the program. He also adapts the Shakespeare plays into more kid-friendly versions, about a half-hour to forty-five minutes long.
The main characters of this year's performance are Prince Hal (played by James Jeffery), the wayward son of King Henry IV, his best friend, Sir Jack Falstaff (played by Jamari Linen), King Henry IV (played by Jhenzen Gonzales), and the antagonist, Hotspur (played by Yashaira Leguisamon).
Hotspur rebels against the King Henry the Fourth, because when King Richard II’s heir was Hotspur’s brother, Mortimer. What happens next? Well, that’s the play. They wouldn’t want us to give it away!
The MASH News interviewed Ms. Jodi, who helps Mr. Funke with the Shakespeare program. “The purpose of the Shakespeare program is for the students to prepare and perform one of William Shakespeare’s plays.” She said. “I am the coordinator of the program. I help Mr. Jeremy, and work with students, and coordinate the Hopkins’ Week of community service.”
When asked how the plays that the program performed are chosen, she responded “I meet with Jeremy over the summer to discuss play options. Sometimes Jeremy chooses based on whatever Shakespeare is doing that year. This year, for the first time, we chose to perform a history play.”
Students who are interested in performing audition for the roles. MASH is lucky to have such a great Shakespeare program at this great school, and we hope that it continues through many more years!
You can catch this year's performance on June 9th!