Hamlet Directors' note
When we first found out that we would be directing this play, we knew we would have to cut Shakespeare’s text, and therefore limit the scope of Hamlet. From our first reading, we were captivated by the idea of setting it in a modern millennial period, and so we wanted our cut to reflect many of the pressing problems of the current collegiate population. For us, this involved a focus on the conflicts of priority between the older and the younger generations. In Hamlet, as in our current society, the world of the younger generation (including Laertes, Ophelia, Horatio, and Hamlet herself) has been defined by the older generation. These characters are then left to reinterpret the parameters that have been set for them, while still operating under the power of their elders’ authority. This theme influenced our decision to cast a female Hamlet, who must prove herself to be as worthy an heir as any prince would be. Of course, the primary conflict within Hamlet remains between reason and passion: Hamlet knows her duty is to avenge her father; however, such a passionate act of revenge is not part of her nature. We see this theme reflected in every character, king or queen, noble or gravedigger. We must, as audience members, therefore consider what it is that truly motivates our own beliefs, habits, and actions. Are we truly the masters of our fate?
We would like to thank NSRCO and Scott Jackson for this wonderful opportunity, as well as all of our actors, crew members, and Kat Van Vleet for their incredible dedication and hard work. Indeed, you are all “the best players in the world, be it for tragedy, comedy, historical, pastoral, tragical-historical…”
--Abbey Schnell (PLS/FTT ’18) and Caitlin Crosby (PLS/Business-Econ ’18)
We would like to thank NSRCO and Scott Jackson for this wonderful opportunity, as well as all of our actors, crew members, and Kat Van Vleet for their incredible dedication and hard work. Indeed, you are all “the best players in the world, be it for tragedy, comedy, historical, pastoral, tragical-historical…”
--Abbey Schnell (PLS/FTT ’18) and Caitlin Crosby (PLS/Business-Econ ’18)