For about three months, the theater department has been at work constructing an outdoor stage in the miniature amphitheater by the history buildings for their production of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare.
The use of an outdoor stage rather than the theater room is meant to enhance the production through historical ties to the original performance of Twelfth Night and the capacity of the space to allow for a larger audience.
“Twelfth Night was performed in the Globe Theatre outdoors, and originally performed around the holiday times. The idea to do it outside was partly because we could tie the historical aspect to the play,” Mr. Zick, the theater instructor, explained. “[Also], there’s potential to have a larger audience to meet the needs of the school. We can accommodate more students.”
The stage had to fulfill a number of requisites and be approved by Mr. Herzfeld and the manager of the District, Mr. Stillhorn. The history department also had to provide their consent before construction began in mid-September.
Costs of the stage are partially covered by FVHS Theater Boosters; the remainder of expenses are expected to be paid for through ticket sales.
Main concerns include the lack of lights available outside and the possibility of rain.
Twelfth Night will be the first-ever production to be featured outdoors and on a stage entirely built by cast and crew. There are plans for the stage to be used for future theater performances, and the stage will possibly be made available to other arts departments for shows of any kind.
Students are responding positively and are looking forward to this fresh performance setting.
“I love the idea of an outdoor theater,” says Sydney Benjamin (‘14), who will portray Olivia in the play. “Performing Shakespeare in a Shakespearean setting is going to be awesome. I think people are really going to get the feel of Shakespeare, and see how hard all the actors and crew have worked.”
Twelfth Night will premiere Wednesday, December 5th.
