Lion's Eye Favorite: Love Was Never so Great
June 27, 2008
Instructor Sarah Ream directing the dress rehearsal in Fisher Theater
Nineteen talented seniors took to the stage this May in Love's Labor's Lost. They brought to Shakespeare's play extensive experience working the boards together. Their theatrical skill and ease shone through on stage. See photos from Love's Labor's Lost 
"I'm working with the most amazing cast ever," says Sergio, who played the highly comical role of Don Armado. "This is a group of people that are all talented and mature enough to put on a great show."
Directing the King of Navarre and RosalineAmazing they all were in this play of love gone wrong, or right, depending on your point of view. The play is a love duel between the King of Navarre and his noblemen – Berowne, Dumaine and Longaville – and the Princess of France and her ladies in waiting – Rosaline, Maria and Katharine. The King and his noblemen have sworn off women for three years. However, when the Princess and her ladies arrive at court, all oaths go by the wayside. Love ensues. The play ends as the Princess learns that her father the King has died, forcing her to return to France. The King of Navarre and his nobles pledge their love. The new Queen, distrustful, tells the men that they must wait a year and a day to prove their loyalty.
The play was performed and produced by Senior Acting Ensemble, an intensive term-long course taught by instructor Sarah Ream '75, P'09, P'11. For these seniors, the chance to perform Shakespeare as their final theatrical hurrah at Exeter was a challenge and a godsend.
"Doing Shakespeare is incredibly difficult," explains Sergio. "I think once Shakespeare is manageable, anything is."
Kasey, who played the Princess of France, chimes in: "I love Shakespeare, but sometimes his plays can be difficult to put on stage. With Ms. Ream's direction, and the willingness and passion of the company, it has been a joy to bring this story to the stage."
Jan, who played Holofernes, an "intelligent yet completely oblivious character," initially disliked his role. "As the term progressed and as I worked with Ms. Ream, I really began to love what I got to do with my character." Jan and other players learned to feel confident with Shakespearean language. "This process taught me to be scrupulous when analyzing the language of Shakespeare – there is so much to grapple with and explore. I've learned that when working with Shakespeare, an actor's job is never complete – not even five minutes before opening night," says Jan.
Vocal technique was a major challenge for this experienced group of student actors – many of whom have starred in productions of Cabaret, Arcadia, South Pacific, A Prayer for Owen Meany and other plays. Ms. Ream invited a vocal coach from Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London to work with the players for a week. "That was extremely helpful," says Kasey. "I enjoyed improving my vocal abilities on stage."
Theater Memories that Live On
Sergio and Kasey both intend to continue in theater after graduation. "I've come to learn at Exeter that theater is a significant part of who I am," says Kasey. "It is how I express myself, connect to different people, and find great happiness in my life."
"The theater community at Exeter has greatly influenced me in many positive ways," says Sergio. "The closest friends I have I've met while working on shows. There is not a day when I see someone on a path and I don't exchange a ridiculous line or sing a verse from a production."
Kasey concludes: "The final performance is always bittersweet. On one hand, it signals the accomplishment of a long sought-after goal, but one cannot help but be sad when the play is over and the cast members go their separate ways. With only a few weeks left, I am waiting for my curtain call as the last few scenes of my Exeter experience come to an end."
Interested in learning more?
See photos from Love's Labor's Lost, Cabaret, Arcadia and South Pacific …
Learn more about the theater and dance department…
Read more about Exeter's teachers…
Lion's note: this article first appeared n May 22, 2008.
