Summer Tour 2014 - Addison Radle "The Costuming of a Character, and the Characterization of a Costume"

By 2014 Summer Tour cast member Addison Radle:

The Costuming of a Character, and The Characterization of a Costume

As a cast member of a Grassroots show, you are a lot more than just an actor. You are a director, a props master, a stage manager, a stage hand, and a costumer to name a few. This allows you to have more influence over the show than an actor normally would. For instance, you design your own costumes. 

Rarely, if ever, during a production do you, as an actor, get to sit down with the costume designer and discuss the details of your costume. On previous occasions I felt that my costume did not fit the character at all, especially in smaller roles where no background is given in the text. As you have spent hours thinking about this character, who they are, where they come from, why they are where they are now, you ought to have a very vivid image in your head of what this character looks like. 

In As You Like It, I play the character, Jaques. Very little information is written in the text. Basically, you know that he is melancholy and that he followed the duke into exile. Because of his speech in Act II, Scene VII, one can assume he is something of a philosopher and a poet. 

From this I pulled that he was once a member of the Dukes court prior to his exile. He is melancholy as of late, because he longs to be back in court. Upon discovering this, I began to imagine him still wearing his old clothes from court, holding on to what little he has left. But they are not what they used to be. He has been in exile for many years, and the clothes are no better for the wear. His once fine suite's sleeves are tattered and torn. His best pants are ripped and stained. He has gone from riches to rags.

About Addison Radle:

This is Addison's first show with the Grassroots Shakespeare. His favorite Shakespearean plays are Othello, Richard III, and The Taming of the Shrew. His dream roles are Iago in Othello, Cassio in Julius Caesar, and Owen in The Foreigner.

***Check out this video featuring Addison Radle then come and see our shows! Details at www.grassrootsshakespeare.com and our Facebook Event. *** 

Summer Tour 2014 - Jason Sullivan: 'We find our humanity within the play'

By 2014 Summer Tour cast member Jason Sullivan: 

“What a piece of work is man!”  I know: wrong play, right? In my life lately, I’ve had many experiences that now bring these words from Hamlet to mind.  “What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty! In form and moving how express and admirable! In action how like an Angel! In apprehension how like a god!” 

I keep company in circles filled with talent, brilliance, skill, and wisdom.  One such circle is the Grassroots Shakespeare Company.   And one such person (although I didn’t know him personally) was William Shakespeare (depending on which historian you listen to).  The brilliance of the text sparks our imaginations and moves our hearts as both actors and audience. We find our humanity within the play.  Finding my own humanity as I play Henry is an experience that feels at once both natural and demanding.  I feel simultaneously connected to him and at odds with him. 

This is my second time as Henry—once as Prince Hal, in Henry IV part II, and now later in his life as King Henry V.  Through much of his story, Hal seems irresponsible, careless, and wholly unworthy of the mantle of the king.  Eventually, however, the death of his father, more than any other factor, causes a dramatic turnaround in Hal.  He shuns his former company of drunkards and low-lives, takes on the responsibilities of a ruler, and comes to love the people of England more than even his own life. 

As we rehearse, I find the King to be…ferocious—something I did not find in the Prince.  One of Hal’s major hurdles was his selfish joviality and wasteful idleness.  Now we find a noble king, devoted to God and to his subjects, but lacking the confidence and experience to be sure-footed in his leadership.  Henry V, for me, is the story of Hal’s growth into a true leader.  One who receives council from trusted advisors.  One who serves, more than rules, his subjects. Certainly, he’s not a perfect man.  But he’s a man who has come to understand who he is, and who his people are and could be. Again, as I see the potential of human beings, I remember the words of Hamlet: 

“What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty! In form and moving how express and admirable! In action how like an Angel! In apprehension how like a god!”

About Jason Sullivan:

Jason is excited and grateful to be back with Grassroots this summer--especially to play Henry once again.  A graduate of the UVU Theatrical arts program, some of Jason’s favorite acting credits include Hutter in UVU’s “Nosferatu”, Mr. Holloway in UVU’s “Something Wiked This Way Comes” and Petruchio in Grassroots’ “Taming of the Shrew”.  In his rare free time, Jason enjoys art, mountain biking, and camping.

***Check out this video featuring Jason Sullivan then come and see our shows! Details at www.grassrootsshakespeare.com and our Facebook Event. ***