NGU Theatre Presents ‘Richard III’ at The Billingsley Theatre
Posted on: November 13, 2024
Tigerville, SC —“I hope this show impacts the North Greenville community with the high-quality of performance and design elements and inspires some people who may not be familiar with Shakespeare to understand the relevance, intensity, and accessibility of his work.”
Those ambitions are from Amy Dunlap, co-director for NGU’s upcoming production, “Richard III” by William Shakespeare.
“Richard III” is among a series of historical plays that Shakespeare wrote about the ongoing war for power between the British houses of York and Lancaster. This is known as “The Wars of the Roses.”
The plot follows the story of Richard III as he maneuvers to the crown through deceit, trickery and bloodshed.
“There is a somewhat hopeful and redemptive ending, though, which was written by Shakespeare to celebrate the ancestry of Queen Elizabeth,” said Dunlap.
Logan Stewart, senior theatre education major, plays the leading role of Richard. “Playing Richard in this show means the world to me because this is one of the few moments that I have been able to play a serious tragic role rather than a comedic role,” he said.
“Richard III” is Stewart’s last production at NGU as a student actor.
“I want this show to be a crowning role, no pun intended, that will let the underclassmen see the professionalism that I can display,” he said.
Stewart began preparing for this taxing role back in the spring semester. Throughout his summer, he took a deep dive into the script, storyline and Richard as a character.
Richard III is not the hero type. With a leg limp and a deformed arm, he has family members murdered, takes the life of his newlywed wife and circulates lies all for power.
“I want this to be a role that allows other individuals in the future to know that no matter your stature you can play a big role and fill the space with your presence,” Stewart said.
NGU’s installment of the play has 25 cast members: Maddux Schmidt (King Edward/Tyrell/Soldier), Payden Atwell /Eleanor Finn (double cast as Edward, prince of Wales), Fuller Finn/Claire Wells (double cast as Richard, duke of York), Dylan Thompson (George, duke of Clarence/Sir James Blunt), Logan Stewart (Richard, duke of Gloucester), Jacob Jones (Richmond), Alex Raines (Archbishop of York/duke of Norfolk), Alyssa Wells (Ely/Soldier), Rowan Bishop (Buckingham), Chappie Livdahl (Earl Rivers/Sir Walter Herbert), Morgan Benson (Dorset/soldier), Caleb Wright (Lord Hastings), MJ Greene (Lord Stanley), Morgan Madden (Ratcliffe), Grace Turner (Catesby), Esther Dostie (Brakenbury/Messenger/Soldier), Corrie Owen (Queen Elizabeth), Alyse Barrett (Margaret), Rachel Forester (Duchess of York), Aviya Baluch (Lady Anne), Sadie Beaumont (Young Elizabeth/understudy for Anne), Savannah Williamson (Murderer 1), and Ryleigh Ann Guyton (Murderer 2).
Directorial and Management positions for “Richard III” include: Amy Dunlap (Co-Director/Designer), Bess Park (Co-Director/Designer), Seth Atkins (Stage Manager), Anna Faith Major (Assistant Stage Manager) and Grace Salter (Assistant Stage Manager).
The play incorporates unique design elements, Dunlap said.
“One interesting aspect to our design, which I think is also somewhat humorous, is the presence of hundreds of eggshells throughout the set,” she said.
Audience members will see that the show is performed on a unique traverse stage, set up like a chess board. This is a type of theatrical stage where the audience is seated on two opposite long sides, and the stage itself is like an alleyway.
When most hear the name Shakespeare, they often think of the nontraditional language style.
“Shakespeare is for everyone. Most people are afraid of it because they have only tried to read it and not see it performed live. When the words are spoken and enacted, the stories revealed themselves brilliantly,” Dunlap said.
Dunlap fell in love with “Richard III” after being in a production of it at the Virginia Shakespeare festival.
“That experience made me fall in love with the richness and complexity of this particular Shakespeare show,” she said.
Dunlap reflected on how this play relates to current events surrounding the presidential election, which occurred last week.
“I think the show is particularly resonant right now in our current political climate and I thought it would be a great stretch for our students,” she said.
“Richard III” will run Nov. 14-16 and Nov. 21-23 with showtimes at 7:30 p.m. nightly. Tickets are $8 for students and children and $15 for adults. Premium seating tickets are $20. One free ticket is available to NGU students with an NGU ID the Monday before show weekends.
