WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S
"THE WINTER'S TALE"
Directed by John Howell
CAST IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
ARCHIDAMUS / ANTIGONUS - John Howell
CAMILLO / CLEOMENES- Darrell Troth
POLIXENES / DION - Nate Quarterman
LEONTES - Brent Hearn
HERMIONE - Tessa Eltzroth
MAMILLIUS - Darby Frost (Fri, Sat 2pm, Sun 2pm), Robbie Wootton (Thu, Sat 7pm)
EMILIA / BOHEMIAN SERVANT - Monique Troth
SICILIAN SERVANT / MOPSA - Claire Mayronne
LORD PRIMO / PRINCE FLORIZEL George Mayronne
PAULINA - Melissa Newell
JAILER/THE CLOWN - David Jackson
OFFICER / THE SHEPHERD - Richard Lawrence
MARINER / AUTOLYCUS - J.C. Patterson
TIME - Denise Halbach
PERDITA - Rachel Eason
DORCAS / STEWARD - Malaika Quarterman
THE BEAR - ???
ARCHIDAMUS / ANTIGONUS - John Howell
CAMILLO / CLEOMENES- Darrell Troth
POLIXENES / DION - Nate Quarterman
LEONTES - Brent Hearn
HERMIONE - Tessa Eltzroth
MAMILLIUS - Darby Frost (Fri, Sat 2pm, Sun 2pm), Robbie Wootton (Thu, Sat 7pm)
EMILIA / BOHEMIAN SERVANT - Monique Troth
SICILIAN SERVANT / MOPSA - Claire Mayronne
LORD PRIMO / PRINCE FLORIZEL George Mayronne
PAULINA - Melissa Newell
JAILER/THE CLOWN - David Jackson
OFFICER / THE SHEPHERD - Richard Lawrence
MARINER / AUTOLYCUS - J.C. Patterson
TIME - Denise Halbach
PERDITA - Rachel Eason
DORCAS / STEWARD - Malaika Quarterman
THE BEAR - ???
PRODUCTION CREW
John Howell - Director, Set Design and Construction
Heather Barnes - Assistant Director/Stage Manager
Diana Howell - Production Manager, Publicity, Sound Design & Light Tech
Malaika Quarterman - Choreography
Richard Lawrence, Cory Drake - Technical Assistance
Sydney Blackwell - Stage Hand
SPECIAL THANKS TO: OURFONDREN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND THE CITY OF JACKSON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, NEW STAGE THEATRE, LESLEY RAYBON, MALAIKA QUARTERMAN, WLBT-TV, JAMES ANDERSON, SUSAN MARGARET BARRETT
John Howell - Director, Set Design and Construction
Heather Barnes - Assistant Director/Stage Manager
Diana Howell - Production Manager, Publicity, Sound Design & Light Tech
Malaika Quarterman - Choreography
Richard Lawrence, Cory Drake - Technical Assistance
Sydney Blackwell - Stage Hand
SPECIAL THANKS TO: OURFONDREN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND THE CITY OF JACKSON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, NEW STAGE THEATRE, LESLEY RAYBON, MALAIKA QUARTERMAN, WLBT-TV, JAMES ANDERSON, SUSAN MARGARET BARRETT
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
Since we started Fondren Theatre Workshop eleven years ago, we have wanted to produce one of Shakespeare's plays in our own neighborhood with our own local actors. Now that we have finally brought the Bard to Fondren, I could not be happier with the setting of our show. Fondren Park is the ideal venue for this performance, and we are grateful to everyone in the Our Fondren Neighborhood Association as well as the Jackson Department of Parks and Recreation for helping this project come to be. The Winter's Tale was first performed around 400 years ago on a similar outdoor stage at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, and there is something palpably inspiring about performing these words out in the open, beneath the rays of the sun or the soft glow of the full moon. The play itself is one of Shakespeare's oddities. Written late in his career, The Winter's Tale is a kind of fairy tale firmly rooted in reality, but haunted throughout by the possibility of magic. It begins as a tragedy of a jealous king spiraling out of control, and then evolves halfway through into a comedy of redemption, ending with one of the most poignant and surprising events to emerge from Shakespeare's imagination. Shakespeare knew that theatre itself is a kind of magic that conjures up emotions and entire worlds out of words and gestures, a few costumes and effects. And it is with this is mind that we hope to do justice to the story as we conjure it up for you here on this stage in Fondren Park.
Since we started Fondren Theatre Workshop eleven years ago, we have wanted to produce one of Shakespeare's plays in our own neighborhood with our own local actors. Now that we have finally brought the Bard to Fondren, I could not be happier with the setting of our show. Fondren Park is the ideal venue for this performance, and we are grateful to everyone in the Our Fondren Neighborhood Association as well as the Jackson Department of Parks and Recreation for helping this project come to be. The Winter's Tale was first performed around 400 years ago on a similar outdoor stage at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, and there is something palpably inspiring about performing these words out in the open, beneath the rays of the sun or the soft glow of the full moon. The play itself is one of Shakespeare's oddities. Written late in his career, The Winter's Tale is a kind of fairy tale firmly rooted in reality, but haunted throughout by the possibility of magic. It begins as a tragedy of a jealous king spiraling out of control, and then evolves halfway through into a comedy of redemption, ending with one of the most poignant and surprising events to emerge from Shakespeare's imagination. Shakespeare knew that theatre itself is a kind of magic that conjures up emotions and entire worlds out of words and gestures, a few costumes and effects. And it is with this is mind that we hope to do justice to the story as we conjure it up for you here on this stage in Fondren Park.
MEET THE CAST
(In Order of Appearance - Extended Bios by Alpha Below)
(In Order of Appearance - Extended Bios by Alpha Below)
RACHEL EASON as PERDITA. Rachel was born and raised in Huntsville, AL. She did not set foot on the stage until she began studying at Belhaven University, where she portratyed Mona Lucrezia in Thornton Wilder's "Someone from Assissi." Rachel earned her B.S. in Chemistry at Belhaven, and now works for her alma mater and the American Chemical Society while growing in her experiences as a musician and actor.
TESSA ELTZROTH as HERMIONE. Tessa is a graduate of Belhaven University, originally hailing from San Francisco, CA. At school she studied Social Work and Theatre. Her favorite shows here in Jackson include "Paper Wings," "Braids," "Circle Mirror Transformation," and "Juliet + Her Romeo." This is her second show with FTW, and she's delighted to be back on stage hanging out with some of her favorite people. Enjoy the show!
DARBY FROST as MAMILIUS (FRIDAY 7PM, SATURDAY 2PM, SUNDAY 2PM). Darby is the son of Joseph and Shannon Frost, and is a 5th grader at Casey Elementary in Jackson. He has appeared in three New Stage productions of "A Christmas Carol," and has been involved in the Belhaven Theatre and Arts Camp for the past six years. He enjoys playing with Legos and watching movies with his sister and two brothers.
DENISE HALBACH as TIME. Denise, one of the five original founders of Fondren Theatre Workshop, is thrilled to be a part of "The Winter's Tale," doing Shakespeare again for the first time in decades. Thanks, John Howell!
BRENT HEARN as LEONTES. Brent is a writer, actor, musician and comic currently living in Ridgeland. He was a Mississippi Arts Commission 2012 Literary Fellowship winner in Screenwriting and Playwriting, and his play, "The Fifth Stage of Grief," won the 2013 Eudora Welty New Play Series award for Best New Play. He has performed in numerous FTW productions, including "The Monster Monologues" (as both Zombie and Wolfman) and "Assassins" (as Sam Byck), which was a joint endeavor by FTW and New Stage's Unframed series. He has also appeared in several New Stage Unframed shows, including "The Weir," "The Shape of Things," and "Circle Mirror Transformation." FTW has featured readings and performances of several of his other plays, as well, for which he is immensely grateful.
JOHN HOWELL (DIRECTOR) as ARCHIDAMUS / ANTIGONUS. John is a Philadelphia, MS native, and graduate of MSU with a B.A. in English and Theatre, and an M.A. in English. He has always loved Shakespeare, and prior roles include Lysander in "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Lucentio in "The Taming of the Shrew," Polonius in "Hamlet," and Dromio of Ephesus in "A Comedy of Errors," and Malvolio in "Twelfth Night." A writer, director, and veteran actor with more than 50 show credits, he previously served as Education Director for New Stage Theatre, and currently works as the Arts Program Director for Casey Elementary. He thanks this cast and crew for their amazing spirit and talent, and could not be prouder of each of them.
DAVID JACKSON as THE CLOWN (or SHEPHARD'S SON) / JAILER. David is a marketing producer by day and the clown by night. He was born and raised in the Jackson area, and prior to making this debut with FTW he spent two years working with the Shenanigans Improv Team.
RICHARD LAWRENCE as THE OLD SHEPHERD / OFFICER. Richard is a Canton, MS native with probably at least 150 shows on his resume. From acting to directing to designing props to building sets and producing shows, there's not much with a theatre label he hasn't done or can't do. Richard is the Technical Director at New Stage Theatre and serves as Vice President of FTW. He's looking forward to directing the FTW/Actor's Playhouse co-production of Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY this summer.
CLAIRE MAYRONNE as SICILIAN SERVANT / MOPSA. Claire is excited to finally venture out beyond the realms of "Rocky Horror" and take on Shakespeare! In the past, she has appeared in all four FTW productions of "The Rocky Horror Show," appearing as Janet in 2010. She has also appeared in other local productions, including "Little Shop of Horrors," "The Mikado," "The Music Man," and "Guys and Dolls." Claire resides in Jackson with her husband, George, and two dogs, and enjoys making people beautiful as a hairstylist at Ritz Salon in Ridgeland.
GEORGE MAYRONNE as LORD PRIMO / PRINCE FLORIZEL. George got his first taste of theatre as a member of the Phantom chorus in FTW's 2012 production of "The Rocky Horror Show," and even though it was a song and dance, it sold him on the thrill of being on stage. He is exited and honored to have been cast in this show, and after being plunged head-first into Shakespeare, he can't wait to see what's in store for him next! George lives in Jackson with the co-star of his life, Claire, and works at Pinnacle Printing and Copying.
MELISSA NEWELL as PAULINA. Melissa is excited to be in her first full-length production with FTW, having first gotten involved as a director for last year's Ten Minute Play Project. She has previously portrayed Louise Kimble in "M*A*S*H," and Donna in "AM in the PM." She has appeared in the films "Dark Circles" and the upcoming "The Almosts" with Saint Studios. She has lots of backstage experience with hair, makeup, and costume design. She directed "As You Like It" in 2012 and loves Shakespeare. An after-school program theatre teacher, she is also mom to four wonderful children who share her passion for theatre and the arts, one of whom she's excited to share the stage with: Robbie. Melissa is currently completing her Theatre degree at JSU and plans to teach college theatre.
J.C. PATTERSON as AUTOLYCUS and MARINER. J.C. first met The Bard (and the Howells!) many years ago in the role of Bottom in Renaissance Theatre Workshop's production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Previous FTW shows include "Fool for Love," "American Buffalo," "Vital Signs," "The Rocky Horror Show," and "Sordid Lives." JC has thoroughly enjoyed working with this talented group. He thanks Bugs Bunny, Monty Python, and Tom Hiddleston (Loki) for inspiration.
MALAIKA QUARTERMAN as DORCAS / STEWARD, CHOREOGRAPHER. A Belhaven University graduate, Malaika made her FTW acting debut with John Howell in Eugene Ionesco's "The Lesson," and has also appeared in FTW productions of "See Jane Quit" and "Assassins." A veteran of numerous Belhaven productions both undergraduate and post-graduate, including the title role in "Galileo," she has also appeared in New Stage productions of "The Great Gatsby," "Annie," "Five Women Wearing the Same Dress," and "How I Learned to Drive," among others. Most recently she appeared in a production of "The Laramie Project" with John Maxwell's Fish Tale Theatre Group. She resides in Jackson with her family and is currently Chair of the Theatre Department at Power Academic Performing Arts Center.
NATE QUARTERMAN as POLIXENES / DION. Nate graduated from Belhaven University where he enjoyed dabbling in the theatre. He played Demetrius in "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Jacques in "As You LIke It," and Judge Brack in "Hedda Gabbler." He is loving to get to play with FTW, and is fortunate to live vicariously in the theatre through the vehicle of his lovely and talented wife, Malaika.
DARRELL TROTH as CAMILLO and CLEOMENES. Darrell makes his return to FTW in dual roles in this production (his psychiatrist is already counting the days in Cancun he's getting out of this). His FTW resume includes roles in "Vital Signs, " playing the Mummy and Igor in "The Monster Monologues," and three productions of "The Rocky Horror Show," as well as backstage work for "Cabaret." He also recently appeared in a New Stage Unframed Series production of "The Weir." Darrell says he'll keep coming back to help--his psychiatrist mentioned something about a condo in Costa Rica, too.
MONIQUE TROTH as EMILIA / BOHEMIAN SERVANT. Moni has been involved with FTW since 2005's "Vital Signs," and has worked backstage costuming, prop-building, stage managing, and actor wrangling for numerous FTW shows, including "The Rocky Horror Show," "Cabaret," "The Monster Monologues," and "Every Christmas Story Ever Told." She also worked backstage for New Stage Unframed's "The Weir." She and her husband, Darrell, are frequent time warpers, and are always willing to take that "jump to the left."
ROBBIE WOOTTON as MAMILIUS (Thursday 7pm, Saturday 7pm). Robbie is making his stage debut with FTW, and is very excited to be participating and learning more about Shakespeare and performance. he studied acting with Theatre Kids, and wants to be an actor and a veterinarian when he grows up. He loves anything to do with animals, science, and the outdoors. He encouraged his family to start a garden and works hard to keep it going. He attempts to bring home every animal he sees, and loves to take care of his cat, Waylon.
