William Shakespeare’s The Tempest Tells Story of Love, Hope, and Forgiveness
Published: September 21, 2021 | Author: Ashley H Palmer | Read Time: 3 minutes
SUU’s Department of Theatre, Dance, and Arts Administration will present William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, a story of magic, betrayal, love, and forgiveness, set on the Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre on October 1, 4, 7, 8, and 9, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for alumni with card, and $5 for youth. SUU faculty/staff (and one guest) and students can attend for free with a valid ID card. Tickets can be purchased at the America First Event Center Box Office, at the door the night of the performance, or online at www.suu.edu/arts.
Peter Sham, director of The Tempest, explains, “For me, this play is filled with magic: the magic of the island, of the air and sky, of the land and water, of a mother’s love, of a daughter’s wonder, of first love, of music and sound, of myth and legend, of betrayal, forgiveness, repentance, and ultimately hope. I believe the ideas and themes of this play have never been timelier than right now, in this tempest in history filled with lost hope and division. I feel we have put together an extraordinary group of artists to tell this story in a powerful and lasting way.”
Jove Tripp-Thompson, a senior BFA candidate in Acting from St. George, Utah, shares, “I'm playing the drunken jester to king Alonso named Trinculo. The community should come see the show because it's a great laugh and what better way to bring everyone together than with laughter? Humorously enough, the show is about coming together despite our differences and grievances. Now more than ever we should come together and treat ourselves to a good chuckle.”
Believed to have been written around 1610-1611, this is thought to be the last play that William Shakespeare wrote before his death in 1616. The Tempest is categorized as one of Shakespeare’s comedies, but carries tragic themes throughout the production. Some scholars believe that Prospero’s magic represents Shakespeare’s quill as his career as a playwright came to an end.
Elise Thayn, a junior pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre from Monticello, Utah, says, “This has been, by far, the most difficult part I’ve ever had, but it’s also thrilling in so many ways. To be able to take on a role like Prospero and learn from this show has truly been a gift. The Tempest is a show about love, loss, hope, and countless other things. Most of all, I think this show is about penitence and pardon - seeking forgiveness and wanting to forgive. The process of forgiving someone and seeking forgiveness is rarely easy and clean, and often no one is without fault. However, through forgiveness comes healing and prosperity. I think this show is just like that - often messy and painful, but necessary. Working on this production has truly been a remarkable experience.”
Enjoy the first in-person production of SUU’s Department of Theatre, Dance, and Arts Administration since March 2020 as they bring William Shakespeare’s The Tempest to life on the Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre stage on October 1, 4, 7, 8, and 9, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. For more information about the productions at SUU, please visit www.suu.edu/arts.
About the College of Performing and Visual Arts
The College of Performing and Visual Arts (CPVA) at Southern Utah University comprises 26 academic programs including liberal arts (BA/BS) and professional (BFA, BM, BMEd) degrees in art, design, dance, music, and theatre. It includes graduate programs in the fields of arts administration (MFA, MA), music education (MME), and music technology (MM). More than 60 full-time faculty and staff are engaged in teaching and mentoring over 900 majors in the College. CPVA presents over 100 performances, lectures, presentations, and exhibitions each year and is affiliated with the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA), Utah Shakespeare Festival, and the Center for Shakespeare Studies. Southern Utah University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD), National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) making SUU the first public university in the state of Utah to be accredited by all four associations. For more information about the College of Performing and Visual Arts, visit www.suu.edu/pva.Tags: Theater Shakespeare College of Performing and Visual Arts
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