Elevating Female Voices Through The Arts

Actors in the Black Box Theatre explored that theme through a show entitled Women of Will: Shakespeare’s Women Speak Out, in which the renowned women of Shakespeare’s plays provide the audience with the details of their lives overlooked in the original text. In the show, characters ranging from Juliet to Lady Macbeth and Ophelia are given the opportunity to clarify difficult and untenable pressures placed upon them by their families, their partners, and the larger society. The play’s script was based on the Tina Packer book by the same name, and, under the guidance of director, Ms. Gwen Couch, were adapted for the stage by the performers, using lines and references from the original plays as entry points for the audience. On display alongside the outstanding performances from the cast was the remarkable set design created by Guppy Utz ’18 as part of her AP Studio Art portfolio. In her work, Utz explored the convergence of nature and the feminine to create the perfect visual reinforcements to the ideas laid out by the characters on stage.

The dance troupe continued the exploration of the season’s theme in their performance entitled, Nevertheless She Persisted: Student Choreography Inspired by Willful Women. Under the direction of dance instructor, Mrs. Donna Franklin, performers drew inspiration for their choreography from outstanding women, both from their personal lives and throughout history. The dancers, who ranged in experience level from absolute beginner to over a decade of training, performed ballet, jazz, tap, and contemporary technique. The show featured solo pieces from dance troupe seniors and Panache, as well as full troupe numbers.

Both shows demonstrated the community’s strength in and passion for the performing arts. The efforts and performances of those involved in both productions were a lasting gift to the audiences who experienced them.