Post-Apocalyptic Staging of 'Hamlet' Offered at UNA March 11-14
Feb. 5, 2010
FLORENCE, Ala. – Earth has been shaken by an apocalyptic disaster. Generations later, the unstable and still-recovering human race unearths, and later performs, a surviving copy of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” This is the setting for the University of North Alabama’s March 11-14 production of one of the Bard’s most famous tragedies.
“In this post-apocalyptic world, the human race exists as a feuding society struggling to re-establish order and governance,” said Charlton James, assistant professor of theatre and director of the play. “This setting lends itself well to the telling of the ‘Hamlet’ story and its implications for society.”
James added that the UNA staging of “Hamlet” will be enhanced with multimedia features as well as a thrust stage, reminiscent of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
“Hamlet” will take stage at 7:30 each evening March 11-13 and at 2 p.m. March 14 in the Norton Auditorium backstage area. General-admission tickets are $10 each and $5 for UNA students and employees. Seating is limited.
The March 12 performance will be followed by a forum discussion of “Hamlet” and the post-apocalyptic staging of the play. The discussion will be led by James; Dr. Leslie Peterson, Shakespearean scholar and assistant professor of English; and members of the “Hamlet” cast and production crew.
The “Hamlet” production crew includes:
Brinna Brown, of Florence – Dramaturg
Matt Bryant, of Gallant – Stage manager
Rance Czermak, of Florence – Costume designer
Jake Faulkner, of Russellville – Sound designer
Bryan Hall, of Russellville – Props designer
Liza Montgomery, of Florence – Makeup designer
Tim Spearing, of Hazel Green – Assistant director
Clay Thomas, of Ardmore – Digital media artist
Brad Thompson, of Athens – Digital media artist
The “Hamlet” cast includes:
Michael Baldwin, of Birmingham – Horatio
James Baxley, of Florence – Messenger
Bryan Becklean, of Muscle Shoals – Francisco/Clown 2
Jake Faulkner, of Russellville – Ghost
Julia Gilchrist, of Florence – Osric/Ensemble
Bryan Hall, of Russellville – Marcellus/Clown 1
Forrest Harlan, of Florence – Guildenstern
Cydney Harper, of Birmingham – Bernardo
Lesley Harper, of Madison – Voltimand
Chelsea Hughes, of Sheffield – Gertrude
Brittany James, of Russellville – Ophelia
Mark Keeton, of Trinity – Claudius
Matt Mallard, of Decatur – Polonius
Andrew Maxwell, of Rogersville – Laertes
Liza Montgomery, of Florence – Player Queen
R.J. O’Connell, of Florence – Hamlet
Kat Purcell, of Trinity – Captain
Morgan Putman, of Greenhill – Cornelius
Max Raybon, of Florence – Rosencrantz
Jacob Sheppard, of Russellville – Fortinbras
Josh Shuffield, of Fayette – Priest/Ambassador
Drea Swafford, of Alabaster – Reynaldo
Rachael Terrell, of Danville – Servant/Ensemble
Atticus Wright, of Loretto, Tenn. – 1st Player/Player King
Faculty involved in the production include James as director, Jason Flynn as digital media director and Dr. David Ruebhausen as technical director and scene designer.