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QUILLS & QUEUES Teen improv company tackles Shakespeare Comment By Angela Decker For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Angela Decker For the Tidings Posted Mar. 3, 2016 at 6:43 PM Updated Mar 3, 2016 at 6:44 PM By Angela Decker For the Tidings Posted Mar. 3, 2016 at 6:43 PM Updated Mar 3, 2016 at 6:44 PM » Social News Editor's note: Due to the time she needs to devote to other writing and instructional projects she's taken on, this is Angela Decker's final Quills & Queues column after nine years of sharing the weekly window onto the Ashland art scene, focusing on written and visual arts, with Tidings staff writer Vickie Aldous. Tidings columnist and theater reviewer Jeffrey Gillespie will now alternate with Aldous. A group of imaginative teen actors are combining their improv skills with a love of Shakespeare to put on a wild and funny show. The young performers will spin their Shakespeare-inspired wit from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at the Ashland Branch Library. Admission to the performance is free. Ashland Children’s Theatre’s TeenProv company will use audience suggestions, improvised madrigals, games and loosely scripted sketches, all while using the language and conventions of Shakespeare’s time. “Improvising in Shakespeare is no mean feat,” said Eve Smyth, co-director along with Kate Sullivan, of the children’s theater. “It’s challenging getting comfortable with the language, but these kids work hard and they have fun with it.” The TeenProv company is made up mostly of Smyth’s and Sullivan’s advanced performance students. “These kids have been training with us for a long time and are just getting better and better,” said Smyth. “We knew it was time to bring them out in the community.” Smyth says she thought it would be fun to challenge the teens and to take on Shakespeare. While she’s incorporated Shakespeare in her classes before, some kids were more comfortable with it than others. “I think my favorite aspect of this whole show is seeing how they rose to the challenge and just ran with it,” she said. The kids studied Shakespeare plays and sonnets, even memorizing a list of typical Shakespearean words, so pearls like knavish, prithee, peevish, and fie could slide out silkily in improvised conversation. “It’s wonderful seeing them take their time and really feel the poetry in the language and play with it a little,” said Smyth. “Shakespearean language isn’t just about what you are saying, it’s painting a picture with your words.” Smyth said the audience will enjoy watching the teens embrace Shakespearean conventions. “These kids have a great time with Shakespeare. Some love the language, and others dive into the physical comedy. It’s a great mix of talent, and people are going to come away from the show thinking ‘wow, improv is a wonderful thing and these kids are fantastic.’” The Ashland Children’s Theatre started in 2004 and makes its home at the DanceSpace in Ashland. Smyth and Sullivan offer a variety of performance classes for children ages 4-17. They offer TeenProv classes for children ages 12 and up. Seasoned performers are invited to join the TeenProv Company which offers public performances. “I love that these kids are getting out in public. It’s great for them and it’s great for audiences,” said Smyth. Improv requires actors to take a lot of risks, says Smyth. “It’s delightful to see young people both succeed and fail good-naturedly,” she said. “I think too often we’re afraid to fail, but that’s part of the joy of improv. If they can fail with abandon, they are in a creative process. They aren’t afraid and so they are on the road to such great success in everything they do.” The Ashland Branch Library is at 410 Siskiyou Blvd. For library information, visit JCLS.org . For information about TeenProv and other performance classes at the Ashland Children’s Theatre, visit AshlandChildrensTheatre.com or call 541-414-8676. Reach Ashland freelance writer Angela Decker at [email protected]. By Angela Decker For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Angela Decker For the Tidings Posted Mar. 3, 2016 at 6:43 PM Updated Mar 3, 2016 at 6:44 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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