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Edison Theater students studied Shakespeare's
The Tempest in 2005

It's an ill wind that blows.....

In May 2005, the IB Theater students participated in The Shakespeare Theatre's program Text Alive! to study The Tempest. Through in-school workshops and an in-depth rehearsal/performance process, Edison students worked with other Text Alive! participants from area schools to perform the play onstage at The Shakespeare Theatre and they attended a performance of the play.

The Theater Arts II students studied The Tempest and performed a 30 minute version of the play in the style of Gilligan's Island at the Folger Shakespeare Festival in March 2005. The following students were recoginized at the Festival for outstanding acting:
Crystal Thompson as King Alonso
Mende Jo Wentzel as Miranda
David Woodall as Prospero
Zach Burley as Caliban

The Theater Arts II Tempest Cast as Gilligan's Island

Theater Arts II Tempest Cast at the Folger Shakespeare Festival

The boat scene from The Tempest

Stephano finds Trinculo and Caliban in The Tempest

At the English Speaking Union's Shakespeare Competition at the Shakespeare Theater in D.C., Jason Kobielus was named 2nd runner-up out of over 40 students from the DC Metro area. The competition was held in February 2005.

A Synopsis of The Tempest

Prospero, the Duke of Milan, deposed by his brother Antonio and cast out to sea with his baby daughter Miranda, has been marooned on a remote island. With his knowledge of magic, he has liberated the island from the rule of the witch Sycorax and freed certain spirits, which are now in his service. The action begins twelve years later, when Prospero uses his magic to shipwreck Antonio, his accomplice Alonso, King of Naples, and Alonso's son Ferdinand and brother Sebastian on the island.

On Prospero's orders, the spirit Ariel leads Ferdinand to Miranda. They fall in love. Prospero sets Ferdinand some test tests to prove he is worthy of his daughter. Meanwhile, Antonio, Alonso and Sebastian are tormented by Ariel's magic tricks.

Prospero consents to the marriage of Miranda and Ferdinand and conjures up a masque to entertain them. Prospero sends Ariel to fetch Alonso, Antonio and Sebastian. They recognize him and he forgives them.

In a comic subplot, Prospero's half-human slave, Caliban, and Trinculo and Stephano, two drunken survivors of the shipwreck, plan to take over the island, but are thwarted by Prospero's magic and their own greed and stupidity.

IB Theater Arts I & II performed in the Text Alive! production of The Tempest at The Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C.
May 2005

CAST:
Prospero: Landon Randolph
Ariel: Brittney Walker

Fairies and Spirits: Molly Lewis, Gabby Brooks, Chelsea Sexton, Will Hicks, and Hieu Tran
Shipwrecked Royalty and Crew: Lauren Yothers, Jay Terry, Zach Burley, and Zach Sempsey
Setting: Plantation in Colonial Cuba

The IB Theater I & II cast travels to The Shakespeare Theatre

Risking life and limb, make-up designer Ashley Bradfield applies make-up to cast member, Molly Lewis on the Metro