Skulls, tragedy, comedy, love, loss; all of these things expressed on stage as The Shakespeare Project comes to the University of Wyoming.
Actors from the London Stage (AFTLS) have been directing students since last Sunday at the university and will continue to direct and even act out some of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays this week.
Many students and local community members took advantage of the Shakespeare project Sunday night and continued support is expected for the upcoming shows. Amanda Sanders, a PhD student in literature is not only planning on going to additional plays, but also believes that shows like these add to the Laramie culture.
“As a theater lover, I greatly appreciate the opportunity to attend shows in such a small town and as a student, it is wonderful to be able to afford to see plays of such high caliber as well,” said Sanders. “The arts are a crucial part to each community and I think the UW Theater plays an important role in Laramie.”
The Shakespeare Project is a series of plays performed by the AFTLS. Not only are there plays for the public, but the AFTLS also host workshops and help direct theater students at UW. The plays “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Merchant of Venice” will run in rotation (two nights each) from March 1 through March 6. While on Saturday, AFTLS will be presenting a matinee and evening show of “Macbeth,” concluding the Shakespeare Project.
The Actors from the London Stage are being hosted by the Eminent Artists-In-Residence which is funded by the Excellence in Higher Education Endowment through the Wyoming State Legislature, according to the University of Wyoming Theater and Dance page.
The variety of shows and availability of each work gives many people the opportunity to view art on the stage. Dan Heathrow a resident of Albany County believes that and the lasting experience it gives the audience rather than just reading the script.
“I think it is great the town of Laramie has the ability to see many of the different works of Shakespeare,” said Heathrow. “You read all about them back in high school or from others, but being able to watch it unfold on a stage is truly a remarkable thing.”
The Shakespeare project is continuing all this week in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts Main Stage holding shows at 7:30 p.m. each night until March 7. However, on Saturday, they will be performing “Macbeth” twice, one at 2 p.m. and the other at 7:30 p.m.
