Above / “Troilus and Cressida” will be staged in Meiley-Swallow Hall, located at 31 S. Ellsworth St., near Central Park and downtown Naperville.
North Central College presents four performances of William Shakespeare’s epic tale of “Troilus and Cressida” May 18-21.
Performances will be staged at 7:30PM May 18-20 and at 2PM May 21 in the College’s theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St.
Tickets are $10/adults and $8/students and senior citizens; call 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visitnorthcentralcollege.edu/showtix.
Directed by Dave Peterson, North Central’s visiting assistant professor of theatre, the play focuses on Troilus, a young Trojan prince, and Cressida, a young daughter of a Trojan priest who defected to the opposing side of the Greeks. The two lovers try to come together but find it difficult with the Trojan War escalating around them.
In the depths of war is the Trojan prince Hector and Greek warrior Achilles; both are pulled toward the battle that will help define the mythic war between the two kingdoms. Shakespeare illustrates the costs of war and the joys of young love with a perfect blend of comedy, tragedy, romance and history.
“Troilus and Cressida” has a contemporary feel, says Peterson, and focuses on two issues the audience can relate to: the treatment of women and the power of a wall.
“The play is deeply concerned with how men in power treat women,” says Peterson. “The entirety of the Trojan War is fought over competing claims to a beautiful woman, Helen, but neither side seems particularly interested in where Helen would like to be. Similarly, young Cressida finds her life shaped by men who feel entitled to control her fate and her body. They praise her sexuality but want to control her behavior.”
Additionally, the play features the most famous wall in Western literature. “The Greeks seek to steal Helen back but are thwarted for years by the mighty Trojan wall. The Greeks and Trojans are separated by a wall that, in the end, fails to keep anyone safe from the murder and bloodshed of this mythic conflict.”
In his play, says Peterson, “Shakespeare does not offer easy answers, but does ask us to examine ourselves.”
The cast for “Troilus and Cressida” (role, name, town, year, major)
Paris/Menelaus: Alexander James Poe of Thousand Oaks, Calif., a sophomore majoring in theatrical design and technology with a minor in Spanish
Ulysses: Bridget Adams-King of Western Springs, a sophomore majoring in musical theatre
Cressida: Carter Rose Sherman of Kansas City, Kan., a sophomore majoring in musical theatre
Troilus: Jack Lindberg of St. Charles, a junior majoring in theatre and music
Hector: Kandace Huebner of Aurora, a senior majoring in theatre and psychology
Cassandra/Patroclus: Kellyn Maguire of Downers Grove, a junior majoring in theatre and sociology
Aeneas/Ajax: Lexii Gravis of Montgomery, a sophomore majoring in musical theatre and organizational communication
Achilles: Maddie Burke of Monroe, Mich., a senior majoring in theatre with a minor in communications
Priam/Agamemnon: Nathan Calaranan of Chicago, a freshman majoring in musical theatre
Pandarus: Nicole Borowski of Itasca, a senior majoring in theatre
Diomedes/Helen: Rachel Rodewald of Burlington, a senior majoring in theatre
Thersites/Adromache/Calchas: Sarah Irene Rosenberg of Arlington Heights, a junior majoring in theatre and Spanish
The crew (role, name, town, year, major)
Director: Dave Peterson, visiting assistant professor of theatre
Technical director: Peter O’Neill, technical director of the theatre department
Shop foreman: Michelle Reaska, scenic studio shop foreman
Assistant directors: Sarah Fons of Stoughton, Wis., a senior majoring in theatre with a minor in gender and women’s studies; and Abby Schwarz of Riverside, a freshman majoring in theatre and neuroscience
Stage manager: Stephen Kossak of Somonauk, a senior majoring in theatre and theatrical design and technology with a minor in studio art
Scenic designer: Lizzie Bracken, assistant professor of theatre
Assistant scenic designer: Ruby Lowe of Aurora, a junior majoring in theatrical design and technology with a minor in studio art
Costume designer: Bobby Taves of Oswego, a senior majoring in theatre
Lighting designer: Sara Monteleone of St. Charles, a senior majoring in musical theatre and theatrical design and technology
Sound designer: Tom Noesen of Naperville, a senior majoring in theatrical design and technology
Assistant sound designer: Elizabeth Miller of Godfrey, a sophomore majoring in theatre and theatrical design and technology with a minor in studio art
Hair and makeup designer: C.J. Chezem of Warrenville, a sophomore majoring in theatrical design and technology
Dramaturg: Jesus Martinez of Aurora, a junior majoring in theatre and psychology
Thanks for supporting the arts!
North Central College offers majors in theatre, musical theatre, theatrical design and technology, and a minor in dance. Students of all majors can participate in musical and nonmusical performances, actor showcases and one-act plays and performances in the College’s four theatre venues. Full-time professors and active professionals who are artist-teachers serve as faculty.
Think dinner and the show!
This upcoming performance is among many ongoing programs at North Central College to enrich and broaden the cultural and academic outlook for the College and community. North Central offers a variety of venues accommodating a rich range of local and world-class events, performances and space needs for the public. For a comprehensive schedule of musical performances, theatrical and dance productions, art exhibits and lectures, visit northcentralcollege.edu/show.
