Some amazing, multi-talented students find College Maskrafters to be a wonderful outlet, especially as they juggle so many other tasks and opportunities at Georgetown College. Here the cast members of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (March 27-29, April 3-5) share some “up close and personal” thoughts. The graphics are by two senior Art majors from Lexington – sketches by Hannah Davis, who designed the costumes as her Senior Project; and photos by Sarah Yost. (The curtain is at 8 p.m. each night in the Ruth Pearce Wilson Lab Theatre. Tickets are $4 for students, $5 for adults; call (502) 863-8134 for reservations.)

Paul Eddy as Nick Bottom

“If my character, Bottom, where writing this, he would answer not what Georgetown has done for him, but what he has done for Georgetown College. As for me, Georgetown has provided the intimate atmosphere I needed to comfortably be myself. I joined a wonderful fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha, which gave me community and a place to serve in a few leadership positions. I have also been able to act in many plays, direct a play, and am currently in pre-production to shoot an independent short film. Most importantly, the college has introduced me to an incredibly gifted group of peers and educators that have opened my mind and helped form the person I am today.”

Paul Eddy, who portrays Nick Bottom
Junior Theatre and Psychology double major from Georgetown

Stu Perry as Francis Flute/Thisby

“Coming to Georgetown has really been a huge blessing in my life. It has allowed me to participate in everything I have ever wanted to be a part of. Since arriving at Georgetown, I have been able to participate in the student government as freshman class president, join the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, become a member of Project Compassion (a group which works to combat hunger in Guatemala), and become a Maskrafter with the Georgetown theater department. I have participated in every production offered since I’ve been here, and have enjoyed every minute of it. I have had the roles of Robert in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play ‘Proof’ and Sipos in the outrageous musical comedy ‘She Loves Me.’ Most recently, I played Ned Finnegan in George McGee’s ‘A Fence For Martin Maher.’ This fall, we are taking that show to Ireland. I can’t wait to see the inspiration for this show, and be able to perform it in that wonderful land.”

Stu Perry, who portrays Francis Flute/Thisby
Sophomore Sociology major and Religion/Psychology double minor from Crestwood

Michael McCord as Eqeus

“This has been the 13th performance I have been involved with at Georgetown, including the feature film ‘Surviving Guthrie’ and short film ‘Doc Doc.’ However, nothing tops Shakespeare on the stage, especially at Georgetown. This is the second of the Bard’s plays in which I have performed. We have been continuously blessed with humble, hard working performers who bring fire and immense characterization to these plays under the direction of our theater professors. Any performance is an immense undertaking and learning experience. But these plays are sure to stretch you as a performer and George (McGee) and Ed (Smith) make sure you learn from it…while having fun, of course.”

Michael McCord, who portrays Egeus
Senior Theatre, Math, and Computer Science triple major from Cynthiana

Allison Damron as Mustardseed

“As an English major, I’ve read countless Shakespeare plays, yet it’s amazing to see the words come to life in so many different ways through the mouths of the different actors in this play. I’ve been in several different Maskrafters productions and, regardless of the part, it’s been amazing to be involved with such a creative and hardworking group of people. Georgetown has allowed me to experience many different things over my four years here, from studying abroad in Oxford to working with the campus literary magazine to getting onstage with my friends. I’m going to miss it!”

Allison Damron, who portrays Mustardseed
Senior English major and Psychology minor from Catlettsburg

JC Campbell as Demetrius

“I love the fact that I can be myself at Georgetown – actor, choreographer, leader (of the new Ambassadors for Diversity), minister, and currently working on my tutorial for admissions into Regent’s Park/Oxford! Playing Demetrius in a great Shakespearean comedy is exciting!”

JC Campbell, who portrays Demetrius
Sophomore Religion major/Psychology & Philosophy double minor from Louisville

Dominique Higdon as Helena

“It has been incredible being able to get away from school work for a few hours every night and becoming another character, and acquiring all those lovely bumps and bruises along the way. Literally! ‘MND’ is bound to be a fantastic show, but more like a dream to those in it. It’s a chance for us to show what we are capable of. It is another way for Georgetown to let its thespians shine!

It has been exciting as a freshman getting involved in so many different activities. Sometimes it seemed as though I didn’t know where to stop because Georgetown was very good at opening these opportunities up for me. All anyone needs is the passion and willingness to become involved.

I was in ‘Last Night Karaoke’ last semester, and was a winner that received a large, fake $1,000 check. That was so much fun! I am also the VP of Entertainment on the Georgetown Activities council which has given me the opportunity to meet many interesting people. The theatre department encouraged me to audition for the Kentucky Theatre Association which gave me the wonderful opportunity to attend the Southeast Theatre Conference in Birmingham this year. The music department has many opportunities for performing as well.”

Dominique Higdon, who portrays Helena
Freshman Musical Theatre major, German minor from Louisville

Amanda Kachler as Peter Quince

“During my time at Georgetown thus far I have been given many opportunities. I’ve joined a wonderful sorority, Sigma Kappa and have gotten involved in numerous other organizations on campus. My experiences and opportunities with Maskrafters have been incredible to say the least. – including many different types of roles both on and off the stage. I am looking forward to hopefully traveling to Ireland in August to perform in a traveling show – ‘A Fence for Martin Maher’ – that we have worked on throughout this year.”

Amanda Kachler, who portrays Peter Quince
Junior Theatre major, Communication minor from Maysville

Kristin Dickinson as Hippolyta

“As a graduating senior, I must say that Theatre at Georgetown has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my college career. George (McGee), Ed (Smith), and Dathan (Powell) have influenced me in many ways and guided me towards a promising future! And getting to play an Amazon queen in ‘Midsummer’ has been a lot of fun!”

Kristin Dickinson, who portrays Hippolyta
Senior Theatre major, Chemistry minor from Trenton (Todd County)

Jonathan Yelotn as Puck

“I have loved Georgetown College since day one. After getting involved as President of the Freshman class and as RA in my hall, I am most proud of my decision to get involved in theatre.”

Jonathan Yelton, who portrays Puck
Freshman from Louisville

Lydia Shaw as Cobweb

“We have become a sort of family in the time we have spent here together. We disagree sometimes and don’t always get along, but at the end of the day we always know that there is an entire cast of people who we can depend on and who will always have our backs. Performing Shakespeare is a whole different level of acting. Some days prove to be more challenging than others, but everything is easier knowing that we have the love and support of our fellow cast members.”

Lydia Shaw, who portrays Cobweb
Sigma Kappa Sorority
Junior Elementary Education major, Theatre minor from Elizabethtown

Terkeisha Tyler as Peaseblossom

“I came to Georgetown College because I heard they had an awesome Theater department…and we do! Theater has made me more confident not only acting, but also in everyday situations. George McGee is a great mentor and director and I love working with him. This is my first Shakespeare play. What I love most about MSND is Shakespeare’s imagination and what I love most about my character is the magic that the fairies bring into the play.

Terkeisha Tyler, who portrays Peaseblossom
Junior Theatre major from Lexington

Shannon Brunk as Titania

“This is my first time performing in a Shakespeare play, and I believe I have learned more by these challenges than by any other role.”

Shannon Brunk, who portrays Titania
Sophomore from Lexington

Elyssa McElrath as Tom Snout

“Ever since I was little, I have loved dressing up as people in stories, so acting seemed like a natural career choice. Being part of (MSND) here has been has been a magical experience – and so has my first year at Georgetown. When I’m not rehearsing, I enjoy singing in the Concert Choir, composing songs, writing stories, and creating artwork. Because I always loved fantasy more than reality, I’m not very much like my “rustic” character. Still, I feel this opportunity has helped me expand my acting skills and ability to find common ground. It has also been fun to play a comic character!”

Elyssa McElrath, who portrays Tom Snout
Freshman Theatre major from Altadena, CA

Shawn McPeek as Oberon

“As actors, it is our job to lie to the audience. It’s your job, as the audience to believe us.”

Shawn McPeek, who portrays Oberon
Freshman from Shelbania

Matt Higss as Theseus

“I’ve loved being a part of plays at Georgetown College and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is one of my favorite plays here. It’s been a blast with this great cast and crew. And besides, it’s fun to be king!”

Matt Higgs, who portrays Theseus
Senior from Louisville

Ian Ellis as Lysander

“I had heard a great deal about the high quality of the Theatre program at Georgetown. This is my first major performance here and have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.”

Ian Ellis, who portrays Lysander
Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity
Sophomore History major from Covington

Sidney Hall as Snug/Lion

“I came to Georgetown College because I knew that the Theatre program was really good. The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you.”

Sidney Hall, who portrays Snug/Lion
Freshman Theatre major from Lexington

When Lynn Robson tells the tale of a “half-hanging” of a woman found guilty of infanticide in 17th Century England, her McCandless Lecture at Georgetown College will bring to mind infamous headlines of today.

“Shee That Was Hang’d But Afterwards Recovered: Making an Example of Anne Green” is what Dr. Robson, Lecturer in English Literature at Regent’s Park College, has titled her free talk for 11 a.m., March 31 in John L. Hill Chapel. “Partly (this) is about historiography – always relevant. But even more so, how sensational crimes and events are appropriated by the culturally and socially powerful for their own ends,” she wrote in an e-mail from Oxford, England.

Professor Robson continued with a series of questions, showing how she approaches the larger subject of “Female Criminality” (one of the courses she teaches) and her research on prison literature: “Who tells the story…and how do they tell it? And why do they tell it that way? In the process what (or who) is suppressed? Of course the issue of female criminality is still open to question – what about Andrea Yates?” (She’s referring to the case of the wife of a NASA engineer in Houston who admitted to drowning her five children in a bathtub in June 2001 – then in July 2006 was found not guilty by reason of insanity.)

Anne Green’s story – and her surviving the hanging in 1650 – was well-known then, and continues to pop up in documents today (including a Google search that puts it in the “Top 10 Amazing Execution Survival Stories.”)

According to Robson: “(Anne) was executed after being found guilty of infanticide – the child being the result of an illicit relationship between her and her employer’s grandson. From the published accounts it seems she suffered a miscarriage but the law regarding a mother’s responsibility for neo-natal death was very different in 17th century England – hence the guilty verdict.”

“Her body was supposed to be used for anatomical dissection but when it was noticed that she was still breathing then that plan was put on hold and she was revived and then allowed to live – not always the outcome after failed hangings.”

A literary scholar, Dr. Robson was having some fun with her talk’s subtitle. “Making an example of is a phrase that’s often used to evoke ideas of punishment but the lecture is mainly about how she is turned into several different ‘examples’ by different writers and why,” wrote Robson. “I hope (the campus audience) will understand that the stories history has to tell us are fascinating and to think about whether the tale is more important than the teller. I’m always keen to promote a sense of women’s history as well.”

Dr. Robson, who also serves as the Tutor for Visiting Overseas Undergraduates at Regent’s Park, is one professor all Georgetown students get to know at this college in the University of Oxford system.

During her semester of study at Regent’s Park in Fall 2007, Amanda Owens saw her as a “friendly face” and a taskmaster. “As a teacher, Dr. Robson is one of the most thorough individuals I have ever met. She is always striving to push her students as hard as possible,” said the (now) senior English major and History minor from London, KY.

“I learned a great deal from my time with Dr. Robson, but I will also particularly remember her kindness toward me,” continued Owens, who currently is student teaching 7th grade Reading at Georgetown Middle School. “My time at Regent’s was the first time I had been away from home, and Dr. Robson cared as much about me as an individual as she did about my academics.”

Robson’s visit at the end of the month will be her second to Georgetown College. She delivered the McCandless Lecture in 2007 – “Women and Murder in Early Modern England: The Ratsbane in the Oatcakes.”

The McCandless Lecture was started when Georgetown College and Regent’s Park College in the University of Oxford formed a partnership in 1999. Each year, the schools exchange lecturers. The lecture series was started with a donation from Mrs. June McCandless in memory of her husband O. Carlysle McCandless. Both are alumni of Georgetown College.

Macy Wyatt, standing right, president of the Woman’s Association of Georgetown College and a former chairman of the College’s Psychology Department, with the recipients of the $1,000 scholarships given by the organization for 2008-09. Sitting, from left: Whitney McClain Hopperton of Mayfield, and Lacey Lamb of Murray; standing, from left: Rachel Ward of Georgetown; Kristen Snyder of Lexington; Ashley Perkins of Owenton; and Jesse Hines of Somerset. (Not pictured: Lauren Bergman of Georgetown)

The Woman’s Association of Georgetown College is currently accepting applications for the 2009-2010 scholarships awarded by the Woman’s Association of Georgetown College. The Woman’s Association of Georgetown College scholarship is the umbrella for the Virginia Mills Dempsey, Katherine Waller Fields, Mary Thompson Porter and Gladys Gwynne Peters funded scholarships and for the Wilma Reed Scholarship endowed at Georgetown College.

Outstanding women leaders interested in attending Georgetown College fall 2009 are eligible to apply. Selection is based on financial need, academic standing, and recommendations from the applicant’s minister and a high school official. In addition, the Wilma Reed Scholarship gives priority to women entering the health professions. The deadline for consideration is May 8, 2009.

Applications for the scholarships awarded by the Woman’s Association of Georgetown College, in the amount of $1,000, may be obtained by contacting the Georgetown College Office of Financial Planning at 502-863-8027, or through the College Website.

Organized in 1897, the Woman’s Association of Georgetown College has been awarding monetary support annually to women aspiring to receive their bachelors degrees from Georgetown College. Three current students are expected to have their scholarships renewed for 2009-2010: rising sophomores Rachel Ward and Lauren Bergman of Georgetown, and Kristen Snyder of Lexington.

Congratulations to the four graduating holders of a Woman’s Association of Georgetown College scholarship:

• Jesse Hines of Somerset,
• Whitney McClain Hopperton of Mayfield,
• Lacey Lamb of Murray, and
• Ashley Perkins of Owenton.

By Tori Bachman-Johnson

“The course of true love never did run smooth.” Shakespeare’s character Lysander knew this well, and after the Spring Break, Georgetown theatre patrons can learn the lesson, too.

On March 27, 28 and 29, and April 3, 4 and 5, Georgetown College Maskrafters will present Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” All shows begin at 8 p.m. in the Ruth Pearce Wilson Lab Theatre, corner of College and Mulberry streets.

The play has been on Director George McGee’s “bucket list,” and is finally becoming a reality with the help of theatre department professors Ed Smith and Dathan Powell.

Though Smith was able to summarize the play in a sentence – “How a series of couples, from the king and queen of the fairies to young lovers, resolve their differences through a series of transformations and reversals” – “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” can get a bit confusing for the audience. However, the script has been cut down to under two hours, and according to Smith, the plot is “no more messy than ‘Star Wars’.” A viewing tip? Focus on the couples as they are rearranged throughout the play.

While following the onslaught of plot twists may present a challenge for the audience, the actors have one of their own: Shakespeare’s language.

Some may take to it “like a duck to water, versus others like oil on water,” McGee said. Though it can be a challenge to understand their lines, reading out-loud has been quite helpful for the actors, adding dimension and life to the parts. “It’s easier to understand when you act than when you read,” said freshman Dominique Higdon, who plays Helena. And “once you figure out what you’re saying, you know how to say it,” said Smith.

The set presents another challenge. With the characters constantly moving from setting to setting, Powell has been hard at work constructing a set that will communicate these changes to the audience. “All elements will be visible, but the audience may not know what they’re looking at right away,” Powell said.

Despite the complicated plot and language, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is one of the most entertaining and accessible of Shakespeare’s works, according to McGee and Smith. The comedy has something for everyone, and is a good place to start for someone who has never seen Shakespeare performed before. The playwright makes fun of actors who don’t know their lines and nobility gets their comeuppance. There are also fairies and other elements of magic and the unknown. When it comes down to it, “Shakespeare tells a mean story,” Smith said.

The themes of the play include identity and metamorphosis – as Smith put it, “How do you ever know who you are? In the beginning, characters are sure of their own identities and who they love, but things get mixed up along the way,” he explained. Smith compared the play to a road movie. As the characters move from a city setting deeper into the woods, they begin to discard the rules and norms attached to civilization.

McGee, Smith and Powell have had the help of two Georgetown alumni – James Hamblin (‘97) and Parker Reed (‘02). Hamblin, who has been working in central Kentucky as a professional actor, watches the rehearsals and speaks to the actors about their motivation, among other things. A dramaturg who earned his MFA in Staging Shakespeare at the University of Exeter (England), Reed has the role of explaining what lines of the script mean.

Lexington’s Hannah Davis, who’s made a name for herself as a costume designer, is doing the honors for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” as her senior project. Davis also designed the costumes for the Lyric Theatre Society’s production of “The Secret Marriage” last semester.

For the cast and crew of “MND,” bonding time may be one of the most valuable factors of working on the play. The group is made up of students from many different majors, fraternities, sororities and background who come together to make the play happen, and with all that time spent together, it is inevitable that they will make connections.

“When you start spending two to three hours a night with people, you start building relationships that will last a long time,” said McGee. McGee, Smith and Powell are no strangers to this: according to McGee, all three met their wives at theatre-related activities, including a cast party and a ballet.

“I’m not implying that any marriages will come out of this show…” he said, speaking of the student actors, although there may be wedding bells in store for some of the characters.

No matter the course true love takes in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the play promises to be entertaining. “As an actor, director, and designers, it doesn’t get any better than Shakespeare,” said director McGee, who doubles as chair of the Theatre & Performance Studies department.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for students for the six performances (March 27-29, April 3-5). For reservations, call The Store at Georgetown College – (502) 863-8134. Best parking for the Lab Theatre is in the Georgetown Baptist Church lot across Mulberry Street.

Director John Campbell with Chorale members who will have featured roles in their home church performances Sunday, March 8 – pianist Mary Alice Birdwhistell of Lawrenceburg and Tyler Wash of Danville, both seniors

By Tori Bachman-Johnson ‘12

With music from all over the map, the upcoming Concert Choir and Chorale performance will be a little like the weather in Kentucky – give it a little while, and it’ll change. On Thursday, March 12 at 8 p.m., the groups will present a free, joint concert in John L. Hill Chapel. “Choir Concert I” will last about an hour. Also, mark your calendar for a sequel on May 3 (see below).

The multi-cultural selection begins with a Swahili welcoming song by the Concert Choir, complete with drum beats and dancing, followed by a mix of American folk songs. Director John Campbell pulled out “Tico-Tico,” an older work with some Latin flavor, for the occasion as well. “In our library some copies are falling apart, but the piece sizzles!” he said.

The fun and challenging piece is sure to draw the audience in with its lively salsa rhythm. The group ends their set with Glenn Miller’s “Chattanooga Choo Choo.” Seniors Ryland Pope and Liz Simpson will be featured as student conductors, and Dr. Mami Hayashida will accompany the group.

The Chorale performance also features several student conductors, including senior Tyler Wash on “The Name of Jesus” and sophomore Chuck Harris on “My Song of the Night,” a southern folk hymn. Daniel Ng will conduct “In Paradisum,” a Latin piece based on Gregorian chants but harmonized in a 20th century way.

Campbell expects that, while many audience members may not have heard this type of music, “they’ll surprise themselves by liking it.” Ng will also accompany the group, as will senior Mary Alice Birdwhistell “It Is Well With My Soul” on piano. The Chorale set also includes “He, Watching Over Israel,” in honor of German composer Felix Mendelssohn’s 200th birthday.

If you can’t make it to Part One on March 12, plan on attending the “Choir Concert II: The Sequel” on Sunday, May 3 at 3 p.m. in Hill Chapel. The John Campbell-twist will be that the Chorale will emphasize secular music this time and the Concert Choir will sing sacred songs.

On Sunday, March 8, the Chorale group will take their set on the road to the home churches of two members – Wash’s Lexington Avenue Baptist in Danville at 10:45 a.m. and Birdwhistell’s Sand Spring Baptist in Lawrenceburg and 7 p.m.