Like some students on this campus, the protagonists of “Love’s Labour’s Lost” make a promise to each other that their studies will be their highest priority; however, like many such promises, theirs falls apart when love comes into the picture.
Presenting a casual Shakespeare production to kick off the year for the third year in a row, the Shakespeare in the Park players here at DePauw will be presenting the Bard’s comedy “Love’s Labour’s Lost.” About a dozen students, joined by a professor or two, will be taking to the stage for this light-hearted performance.
Faculty advisor Andrew Hayes said the tradition of this event began when a DePauw theatre student wanted to produce a play outside the four larger main stage productions put on by the theatre department each year.
“I think that it is entirely student-run makes this a really fun production for the students involved,” Hayes said.
The production is produced and directed by DePauw students. Previously, a single student had undertaken this role each year, but this year, junior Maggie Furtner and sophomore Jerica Bean are sharing the task, which Hayes believes will have positive impacts on the production.
Hayes said he is involved mostly just to help with reserving the space. He said the majority of the planning and execution, even down to what play it will be, is in the hands of the students.
“We chose to put on “Love’s Labour’s Lost” because we wanted to start out the year with a fun and silly show,” Furtner said.
Senior Alison Howard added that “this is one of the lesser-known Shakespeare comedies, so it was a good way to expand students’ knowledge of his various plays.”
Furtner and Bean said they hope this show will attract people to the different theatre opportunities that DePauw has to offer.
The show is sponsored by the Duzer Du chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, a theatre honors society.
“This group likes to spotlight students who want to produce their own shows,” said Howard, Duzer Du co-president with Furtner.
Some are put together on shorter notice, but since this one is a tradition, the group was more prepared to produce it.
“Love’s Labour’s Lost” will be performed in the Theta Gardens (the green space on Locust Street between the two wings of the GCPA) on Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. It is free and open to the public, and there will be hamburgers, hot dogs and other food served prior to the show.