Shakespeare at Newhart Theater Just ‘As You Like It’

Philosophical inquiries and verbose metaphors may not sound like the modern theatergoer’s ideal experience, but Loyola’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts is committed to making Shakespeare an enjoyable escape in their upcoming production of “As You Like It.” 

“As You Like It” is a comedy about relationships in different forms. Rosalind, played by second-year Molly Livesay, is the daughter of an exiled duke who dresses as a boy in the forest to convince her crush to chase after her. 

Livesay’s role demands a near-constant on-stage presence. Livesay said Rosalind views the world as a game, reaping the benefits instead of dealing with the consequences. Embracing the confidence of her character, Livesay also flourishes through her castmates. 

“I’ll go up onstage, and I’m just like, ‘I don’t wanna do anything wrong — what if they get mad at me?’” Livesay said. “But because this is just such a supportive group, I kind of — I just go for it, and it’s answered, and it’s supportive, and it’s welcome.” 

Livesay has been studying Shakespeare since the seventh grade, starting with “Julius Caesar.” 

“This man can articulate exactly what I’m thinking in words that I’ve never even dreamed of,” Livesay said. “I wish I was as eloquent as he is.” 

While preparing for the role, the psychology major said it’s important to know exactly what the character is saying. Without understanding the importance of the lines, she can’t convey her character’s true nature to the audience. 

Rosalind speaks in an overbearing amount of “convoluted metaphors” — some meant to only make sense to her character, not the audience, Livesay said. 

While Livesay has been studying Shakespeare for over seven years, the language isn’t as familiar for others. Brian Provenzano, a fourth-year and self-proclaimed protégé of Livesay, asks her for help guiding him through the lines. 

The theater major is playing Oliver, who spends the beginning of the play working to ensure the downfall of his brother Orlando. 

In preparation for their roles, the cast took a 20-minute trip to North Park Forest Preserve to immerse themselves in the play’s setting — The Forest of Arden. Provenzano said visiting the forest preserve allowed him to get into the mindset of Oliver. 

“I got to this one place where it was just barren, no trees, no nothing,” Provenzano said. “It looked like it was burned almost. I was like, ‘Yeah, this is the type of emptiness and self esteem issues that he may deal with, so worried his brother might take his power.’” 

But preparing for the role is one feat — portraying it is another. 

Provenzano recommends finding someone to help guide those new to Shakspeare along. He said the cast and crew tried to create a production accessible enough for those with and without Shakespearian experience. 

“It gives a holistic kind of approach to welcoming in all these people into the forest,” Provenzano said. “Not only welcoming people into this set and into the world, but also the language.” 

Director Mark Lococo, the chair of the Department of Fine and Performing Art, was interested in the romance, nature and excitement of the play. Compared to other Shakespearean works, Lococo said “As You Like It” is a light, joyful comedy. 

For Lococo, the play is more approachable than the rest of Shakespeare’s catalog. Lococo said removing the classic tragic ending and replacing iambic pentameter with prose makes “As You Like It” enjoyable for everyone — even audiences new to Shakespeare. 

Along with developing the production, Lococo fostered a strong ensemble, encouraging the cast to feel safe together on stage — both physically and vocally as they navigated Shakespearean English. 

“They were communicating with one another, as opposed to just communicating this lofty language,” Lococo said. 

Fourth-year Elizabeth Avery, who plays Jaques — pronounced “Jay-Qwueez”  — said table-work allowed the cast to slowly work their way through the text.

Embracing the comfort of her role, Avery added a physical journal to her character on-stage and even started journaling as Jacques. The theater major said the process helped her glean a better understanding of her character’s complex feelings.

Treating the production as a “senior year thesis,” Avery emphasized experimenting with different theatrical techniques she learned during her time at Loyola. In this way, she is treating “As You Like It” as her cumulative production. 

“I have different paints in my paint palette, I’m trying all the different tools from my toolbox,” Avery said. 

Through playing the character, Avery has learned something herself — to let each day be an exploration. She said investigating the different facets of Jacques has prompted her to try something new everyday. 

Avery isn’t the only cast member who has learned more about themselves through their character. Second-year Kyra Tatge has been involved with theater and Shakespeare since high school both behind the scenes and on-stage and attributes much self-discovery to these experiences. 

“Every time that I’ve played a Shakespeare character, I’ve learned so much about myself,” Tatge said. 

Tatge said she has been especially challenged by the end of play, as she struggles to reconcile an Elizabethan Era decision made by her character Phebe. To help ease her transition into the character, Tatge spends time outside behind Piper Hall reading — and rereading — her script. 

Hoping viewers learn something about themselves, Tatge said Shakespearan language can be both intimidating and rewarding. 

Tatge said her favorite line in the play is “to like as much as this play as please you.” For her, this phrase prompts the audience into self-reflection — they will only enjoy the play as much as they allow themselves to. 

“As You Like It” will be running from Oct. 19-29. Tickets are available for purchase on Loyola’s Fine and Performing Arts website.

Featured image by Max Bates / The Phoenix