Theatre program taking on Shakespeare

Cast members excited about ‘As You Like It’

April 1, 2009
By Nathan Harmon
Staff Writer

The UIS theatre program is gearing up to present “As You Like It,” a Shakespearean comedy, which will be performed from April 17 to 19t and April 23 to 25 in the Studio Theatre.

According to Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson, director and professor of theatre at UIS, “As You Like It” is a “universal play,” with an emphasis on character development. Although it is a comedy, Thibodeaux-Thompson said, “Not everything is knee-slapping funny; it is more of a meditation.”

“It is funny at times and bittersweet at times,” Thibodeaux-Thompson added.

This play will also be set in contemporary times, Thibodeaux-Thompson said, and this setting “works well with this play.” Moreover, the set will be sparse to highlight the acting and character development of the play, according to Thibodeaux-Thompson.

“It’s fun playing something I’m not,” said Roger Boyd, who plays Silvius, a character he described as a “big, dumb golden retriever” because he is so “helplessly in love.” Boyd said this play is his first Shakespeare play, his first comedy at UIS.

Nicole Butts, playing both Audrey and first lord in the play, will have her first performance at UIS in “As You Like It.” She is also in a love story or sub-plot in the play, in which there is “a random encounter in the Forest of Arden” where she meets someone, they get married, but it was not meant to last, Butts said.

Ted Keylon, a UIS alumnus who has his day-job at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, said that he does not normally have time to act in plays outside of the museum, but that when Shakespeare is involved, he has time.

Keylon, who plays Jacques, said that playing this role is “a great way to get to know Shakespeare, but the next greatest thing is to show how its done.”

For more information, visit http://www.uis.edu/theatre