Gilmour students will be performing “The Tempest” at the Gates Mills Community Theatre on December 7, 8 and 9. The cast and crew have been preparing for over two months to provide a thoroughly Shakespearean performance of entertainment and laughter. In recent years, the Drama Club has performed shows such as “Rehearsal for Murder,” “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” and “Little Shop of Horrors.”
“The Tempest” is about a young woman named Miranda who is trapped on an abandoned island with her mother. She has never met anyone else outside the island, when suddenly a shipwreck occurs. Miranda begins meeting new people when she finds herself falling in love with the first man she lays eyes on– the first man she’s ever seen in her life. There’s magic in the air as well as romance, comedy, and action.
The cast consists of over 25 students, ranging from freshmen to seniors. Lead roles include Sabrina Bauman (’18) as Prospero, Zack Holtz (’18) as Caliban, Arianna Mack (’18) as Ariel, Lauriel Powell (’18) as Gonzala, Sophia DiPuccio (’19) as Miranda, Sam Zou (’19) as the Drunken Butler, Connor Gerspacher (’19) and Gabe Gainer (’19) in a double-cast role as Ferdinand, and Joe Pahoresky (’21) as the Jester.
Bauman said, “The Tempest details Prospero’s plan to use her wit and power to get revenge on those who stole her dukedom and abandoned her and her daughter at see.”
DiPuccio said, “My favorite scene is when my mother gives the man I love the blessing to marry me. It has elements of both romance and comedy.”
Mrs. Gay Janis, Instructor of Competitive Speech and Debate and Director of the Drama Club, organizes shows and assigns roles. Students credit Janis for providing them with high-profile performance opportunities and skillfully preparing them. Mack (’18) said, “It’s exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. I get so excited before a show because I get to become a whole new person. I also get terrified, because I want to do justice to the part and to the Drama Club.”
Many of the cast and crew members said it’s a great feeling to portray Shakespeare’s characters because it’s so brilliantly written. Quinn L’Esperance (’19) said, “It is an honor to be directed by someone as talented as Mrs. Janis.” The biggest challenge the cast faced was memorizing all their lines and adjusting to an unfamiliar stage in preparation for the show. However, the cast also said it’s been a rewarding experience that helped them build character along the way.
“The Tempest” starts at 8:00 p.m. each night. Tickets are $5.00 per student and $8.00 per adult. This play is open to the public. Refreshments and concessions will be available during intermission.
