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Show features NSP Offerings Involve Westminster Students by Kristie Glad David Bengelsdorf, who performed in the latest New Shakespeare Players production of MacBett was not the first and probably will not be the last Westminster student to work with NSP. Bengelsdorf started rehearsing about a month before for his five minor roles in the comedy. They included both a fencing and wounded soldier, a sick man, and his favorite role 2nd Guest. Bengelsdorf said, That was my favorite because all the guests are drunk and swinging drinks around. It was really a lot of fun. Bengelsdorf and other Westminster students are not new in the performances of the New Shakespeare Players. Likewise, the New Shakespeare Players are not new to Courage Theatre. The New Shakespeare Players came to Westminster during the fall of 1984, because Jay Lees was looking for a resident company, said Barbara Gandy who is on NSPs Board of Directors. Since that time, the Westminster Players and New Shakespeare Players have leanred to work together. According to Heather McShane, When I first started working with the New Shakespeare Players in May of 85, there were some really bad vibes. Chris Thurmond concurs, At first we felt like who is this coming in? We had problems sharing the theatre. There was animosity. However, in the past two years, we have worked things out. Thurmond believes that the experience now is a positive one because of better organization and cooperation between the two groups. According to Gandy,' there are generally two to five Westminster students involved with each NSP offering. We encourage the students to be involved and to tryout. However, we dont guarantee that we will use them, said Gandy. , , Other than acting, Westminster students are involved in directing, costume, scenery, sound, lighting and other aspects of NSP plays. Chris Thrumond was the first Westminster student to have a part in a NSP performance. Thurmond said, There were auditions for Rain, and I gave it a shot. She was chosen for the lead role, Sadie Thompson, in the spring of 84. According to Thurmond, this was a great experience. "I was just starting out, and I got my first lead role. I Heather McShane has had roles in the NSP performances Much Ado About Nothing and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. McShane said of working with the New Shakespeare Players, Ive learned a lot more than I would have otherwise, because the people who direct have been doing this for 30 or 40 years. Thurmond, McShane and Bengelsdorf all point to several benefits the New Shakespeare Players provide. All felt that they helped Westminster Players become more professional, and that working, with NSP teaches more than could be learned in a classroom. Bengelsdorf further stated, We are getting a lot out of having the New Shakespeare Players here. Attendance at Westminster Players performances have gone up since I have been a Freshman. He believes this is in part because NSP brings more plays on campus and as a result more people to Courage Theatre. Thurmond said, It gives Westminster Players and Westminster College a lot of free publicity. Gandy, speaking for NSP, says that there are' benefits in working with Westminster i ' x. i Top: Chris Thurmond has had several roles in New Shakespeare Players' productions. Bottom: David Bengelsdorf portrayed five different characters in NSPs most recent play MacBett . students as well. The students have enthusiasm. It is always a real pleasure to have their energy and willingness to work hard. We wish that they could be even more involved with us. BURY APRIL 1-- 4, 8 p.m. FREE Produced by the Westminster Players April 3, 1987 Issue No. 14 Forum 9 |