Young actors get chance to perform Shakespeare
Among Wooster’s thriving theater community, there is a nonprofit group — Wooster Youth Shakespeare, also known as WooShakes — devoted to providing the opportunity for young actors to perform Shakespeare.
The company will perform Shakespeare’s “Henry IV” at Wayne Center for the Arts with several shows scheduled Feb. 22-26.
“I think Shakespeare created some of the best plays and poetry that exist in the English language,” said Mary Jackson-Smith, the founder and director of the group. “His characters include the full range of the human experience, from tyrants to lovers, from kings to peasants, from monsters to gods.
“His plays deal with so many issues that kids care about: love, betrayal, friendship, loyalty, isolation, power, loss, bigotry, acceptance. Trying on these characters and learning to speak these words helps kids find their own voices as they choose how to live their own lives.”
The theater company is unique in that there are no auditions — everyone who shows up to audition participates in the production.
“We believe strongly that Shakespeare is for everyone who wants to learn about his works. We operate on the principle that theater is about collaboration, not competition, especially youth theater,” Jackson-Smith said. “Every actor who signs up to learn about a play and is willing to put in the time and effort is cast in that play.”
Actors serve in back-stage roles as well. The upcoming show is double cast so each performer has a main role in one cast and then they play extras and work as crew in the other.
The performances are open to actors age 9-19. There are 20 actors in the two different casts for “Henry IV.” Most of the performers are from Wooster — one is from Lodi — and the group has had actors travel from as far as Columbus to participate.
Some of the performers have been in every production the company has produced. Others are trying out the stage for the first time. The upcoming play will be the eighth production for WooShakes.
“I love that WooShakes is a welcoming and fun place to be for people of all ages and backgrounds. I always feel at home here,” said cast member Eleanor Stormer Burch, 17.
“I love everything about being in WooShakes,” said Violet Stormer Burch, Eleanor’s 13-year-old sister. “From costumes, to makeup, to running around backstage looking for a prop, it’s all great.”
“I love the people and the atmosphere at WooShakes,” said Rhys Florence-Smith, 16.
“You get to have fun and take a breath from school,” said Empress Allison, 12. “And you get lines.”
It’s all about the acting and the connections with fellow performers for Tara Koeninger, 16. “I love acting with the tight-knit community that is formed,” Koeninger said.
WooShakes actor Réka Regan, 13, also enjoys these aspects of the experience. “I wanted to be in ‘Henry IV’ because I really enjoy acting and I love being with the people in it,” Regan said. “I also love all the fun costumes.”
Founded in 2019, Wooster Youth Shakespeare stages two full plays each year. The nonprofit organization is run with donations and class fees. Donations are welcomed via cash, check or PayPal. Volunteers who enjoy building set pieces also are needed. To donate or volunteer, email wooshakes@gmail.com.
Jackson-Smith said an exciting aspect of the play is it contains a lot of sword play. “We brought in a fight choreographer from Minneapolis who specializes in working with young people,” she said. “Every actor in the show is in at least one sword fight.”
Additionally, the WooShakes founder explained why “Henry IV” is a must-see.
“This amazing play features one of Shakespeare’s most famous comic characters (Falstaff) and two of his most valiant heroes,” she said. “Presented with the exuberance that only young people can muster, this is one you don’t want to miss. Come see what we do.”
The Wooster Youth Shakespeare company will present “Henry IV” at 7 p.m. on Feb. 22, 24 and 25 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26. Performances will be held at Wayne Center for the Arts, 237 S. Walnut St., Wooster. Age 5 and up are welcome. No tickets are needed; the show is free.
“Our shows are free, but we encourage people to donate at the door to support our work with young people,” Jackson-Smith said.
Cast info
There are two casts.
Cast Scantle will perform Feb. 22 and 25 at 7 p.m. while Cast Scutcheon will perform Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 26 at 2 p.m.
Scantle: Hal, Eleanor Stormer Burch; Falstaff, Katie Snider; King Henry IV, Isaac Michener; Hotspur, Yaye Sene; Worcester and Sheriff, Francis Ng; Lady Percy, Mistress Quickly and Westmoreland, Sophie Tzonev; Poins, Annie Noser; Blunt, Bardolph and Mortimer, Tucker Eikleberry; Vernon, Nadia Cascarelli; Glendower, Ivah Parker; Northumberland and Doll, Tara Koeninger; Douglas, Réka Regan; and Messenger, Liberty Robbins.
Scutcheon: Hal, Tamás Regan; Falstaff, Violet Stormer Burch; King Henry IV, Rhys Florence-Smith; Hotspur, Liberty Robbins; Worcester and Sheriff, Empress Allison; Lady Percy, Mistress Quickly and Lancaster, Réka Regan; Glendower, Westmoreland and Northumberland, Skye Taylor; Poins, Sophie Tzonev; Blunt and Bardolph, Nadia Cascarelli; Doll and Vernon, Annie Noser; Northumberland and Doll, Tara Koeninger; Douglas, Absolute Allison; and Messenger, Mortimer and Traveler, Abe Parker.
