Source: Donald Hedrick, 785-532-2160, hedrick@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Jessica Grant, 785-532-6415, jgrant@k-state.edu
Friday, May 2, 2008
K-STATE ENGLISH CLASS TO PRESENT NOTED JOHN FORD PLAY MAY 10
MANHATTAN -- Aside from the works of William Shakespeare, most people generally aren't familiar with English Renaissance plays. A Kansas State University English professor and his students plan to change this.
Don Hedrick and students in his English 620 "Jacobean Drama" class will be capping off their semester with a performance of John Ford's "Tis Pity She's a Whore."
"Coming into the semester, I had anticipated doing something with this play, but I wasn't sure what," Hedrick said. "The students have really gotten involved with this and have become excited about putting the play on."
The play will be presented at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 10, in the K-State Student Union's Little Theater. The performance is open to the public and tickets are free, but there is a suggested donation of $2 for students and $3 for non-students. The play contains some adult themes and may not be suitable for children. Tickets are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays beginning May 1 in 108C English/Counseling Services Building. More information is available by contacting the K-State department of English at 785-532-6716.
Historically, the play, which was penned around 1633, has been controversial because of its treatment of incest. It clearly plays off Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," along with other sensational drama of the time. In "Tis Pity She's a Whore" Giovanni develops incestuous feelings for his sister Annabella, who is being courted by a number of suitors. Annabella isn't interested in her suitors and after Giovanni reveals his true feelings, Annabella requites his love. The couple realizes that their love is forbidden, and the play doesn't directly condemn them, Hedrick said.
"You decide for yourself how to take the play -- it's not simply moralistic," he said. "It tries, at least, to promote the value of true, mutual love and freedom of choice to love."
While the subject matter tackled by "Tis Pity She's a Whore" is heavy, the play has many dimensions along with its shock value. "It's really a dark world, but there are also parts that are comedic," Hedrick said.
Students in the class are involved in all phases of the production. Along with serving as performers, students are in charge of publicity, creating programs, researching the cultural reaction to incest and other cultural features of 17th-century England, and creating the music and set for the reading.
Students have used the American Shakespeare Center as an educational resource. The research has helped them to demonstrate original performance practices, including contemporary clothing and music, moving the play quickly, not using lighting or special effects, and a minimalist set.
K-State students involved with the play include:
Megan Deppner, junior in English, Andover; Benjamin Dahl, graduate student in English, Atchison; Leah Peppiatt, junior in English, Ellsworth; Amanda Sanders, senior in English education, Eudora; Aaron Vernon, junior in pre-professional secondary education, Fort Riley; Sarah Louise Unruh, sophomore in theater, Greensburg; Randi Drake, senior in English education, Haven; Aarika Wellnitz, junior in English, Junction City.
From Greater Kansas City: William Gepford, senior in history, Leawood; Marcus Summers, senior in English education, and Kelsey Vetter, senior in English, both from Lenexa; Ashley Brown, junior in English, and Heather Miller, senior in English, both from Olathe; and Melanie Nord, junior in secondary education-English, Shawnee.
Jay Simons, graduate student in English, Kingman; Jill Ihrke, senior in English, Lansing; Sarah Fink, junior in English, Leavenworth; Nathan Bean, graduate student in English, Luray.
From Manhattan: Peter Holeman, sophomore in English; Michelle Krones, senior in English; Holly Phillips, senior in English education; Brett Seeliger, senior in English; Allison Stuart, junior in English.
From Topeka: Amanda Foster, junior in English; Kyle Myers, freshman in theater; Michael Wieser, senior in theater.
Elise Gaines, senior in English, Wichita.
From out of state: Russell Keck, graduate student in English, Springdale, Ark.; Jimmie Blevins, graduate student in English literature, Cohutta, Ga.; Tracy Tucker, senior in English, Wymore, Neb.; and Adam Irving, non-degree graduate student in English, St. Albans, Vt.