NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

10/08/2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES-At one time, you would have to practically drag Jessica Marasco to a Shakespearean play. But after seeing Shakespeare performed and becoming familiar with his work, you almost have to drag her away.

Marasco will play Viola in Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" which will be presented by the NSU Theatre Oct. 17-19 at 7:30 p.m. in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. There will also be two performances for area school children Oct. 17-18.

A trip to London and the Globe Theatre awakened Marasco's interest in Shakespeare.

"The summer before I started college, I went London and saw "Hamlet" and "The Tempest" at the Globe Theatre," said Marasco. "I didn't want to go. I wanted to see "Cats." I am so glad I went because they were the two best shows I had ever seen. Seeing those plays helped me appreciate Shakespeare."

The comedy is about a twin brother and sister, separated by a shipwreck who believe each is dead. The sister disguises herself as a boy and becomes a page to a duke. The play hinges on misidentification, confused love and mixed up romances.

Marasco was a student of director Dr. Jack Wann's Shakespeare's class and was part of his performing troupe, Shakesperience. She admits that learning her lines didn't always come easily.

"I got yelled at a lot," said Marasco. "But one day it came to me. When you put forth the effort and understand it, the words come easily."

According to Marasco, the quality of Shakespeare's writing allow his work to transcend several centuries.

"If Shakespeare is done well, it is easy for anyone to understand," she said. "We have a really good cast, who will make the play entertaining."

A graduate of St. Mary's Dominican High School and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, Marasco came to NSU with plans to train for a theatrical career.

"I was the one who loved Thanksgiving because everyone would come over and I could put on a show," she said.

In high school, she appeared in the rock opera "Tommy" along with "Twelfth Night" cast member Adam Louis Breaux. At NSU, Marasco has appeared in "The Boys from Syracuse" and "Lines in the Sand."

Wann has created a play within a play in directing "Twelfth Night." He begins the play outside a major English city on the twelfth night after Christmas. A group of revelers who were going to put on a play became too noisy and wandered into the country where they found a rundown barn where they could put on their play. Once that is established, "Twelfth Night" begins.

"That adds a new twist to the play," said Marasco. "It makes us more like a troupe of players. We have a great ensemble.

"It is great to work with Dr. Wann. He expects a lot. Dr. Wann always wants us to get it right."

Admission to the 7:30 p.m. performances are free for NSU students and $5 for the public. For ticket information, call (318) 357-6891.

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