NEWS RELEASE

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

2/28/2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES-The NSU Theatre's "Shakesperience" troupe will begin its 2003 tour March 7. The group, directed by Dr. Jack Wann, will make nine performances at theatre conferences and high schools in Louisiana and Texas.

"Shakesperience" is a 50-minute program developed by Wann that combines monologues and scenes from Shakespearean plays with songs from shows drawn directly from Shakespeare such as "Kiss Me Kate" and "West Side Story." The program has been seen in 10 states over the past 10 years, Wann said.

The program begins with a group patter of 100 common words and phrases popularized by Shakespeare, then weaves together dramatic and comic scenes covering a spectrum of characters from those plotting evil to others falling in love.

"Shakespeare is the best the English language has to offer. 'Shakesperience' is an elite group of students presenting the best possible material," said Wann. "The students who do this are among our best. A number of those who have been in 'Shakesperience' have gone on to work professionally in New York and Los Angeles or attended a top graduate school. Almost all of them have said this was one of their favorite experiences."

Cast members for "Shakesperience" are Michael Batusic of Hobe Sound, Fla., Karen Burns of Alexandria, Kristin Jones of Vero Beach, Fla., Josh Laird of Oakdale, Kerry Lambert of Gonzales and Jessica Marasco of New Orleans. The cast also features Guy Miller of Pineville, James Palmer of Mansfield, Levi Petree of Youngsville, Alicia Schulz of Metairie, Meghan Shea of Covington and Wanetah Walmsley of Leesville.

On March 7, "Shakesperience" will perform at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Arlington, Texas at the Arlington Hyatt. They will present a show at three Louisiana high schools in March 13, performing at Alexandria High School at 10 a.m., Comeaux High School in Lafayette at 1 p.m. and Tara High School in Baton Rouge at 7 p.m.

"Shakesperience" will be presented at Covington High School on March 14 at 10 a.m. followed by a 2:30 p.m. performance at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. They will return to the Dallas area on April 4 for three performances at Nolan High School at 11:20 a.m., 12:20 p.m. and 1:20 p.m.

A final mini-performance will be done for Texts and Traditions classes in the Louisiana Scholars' College at NSU on April 23 at 11 a.m. in South Hall.

"Over the years, 'Shakesperience' has been a great recruiting tool for us," said Wann. "It exposes students to our program and lets them see the quality of the program. It also shows the versatility of the program and what is available. It also makes Shakespeare accessible to high school students and lets them know Shakespeare can be fun."

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