DIRECTOR | PRODUCER | CONSULTANT
Director
ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD
by Tom Stoppard
AACC Theatre
Robert E. Kauffman Theater, Pascal Center for the Arts
Directed by Madeline Austin
Production Manager; Set/Lighting Designer: Sean Urbantke
Costume Designer: Michelle Hickman
Sound Designer: Steph Condon
Prop Artisan: Mandolin Roberts
Stage Manager: Maggie Cunningham
Assistant Stage Manager: Katie Laubert
Set Construction: Erik Binnix
Photos by Zoe Brunton
Ensemble: Erik Binnix, Jackson Bondurant, Ryan Brown, Dean Cottrill, Jackson Darrow, Gabe Duque, Josh Foster, Nathan Garcia, Eliza Geib, Mycheal Lewis, Shannon McElwee, Jana Naylor, Abigail Pimpo, Alice Resare, Zachary Sexton, Neal Spence, Daniel Wade, Cameron Walker, Robin Whewell
The play follows the misadventures of two minor characters from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Childhood friends of Prince Hamlet, they are brought to the royal court to find out whether Hamlet is truly mad or not. This post-pandemic production about frustrated waiting, feeling like a supporting character in someone else’s story, chance vs. fate, inescapability, and general confusion is very timely in its message. With slapstick to sitcom to subtle word games peppered throughout an absurd and thought-provoking romp, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead explores what our existence, desires, and actions say about ourselves.
REVIEWS
“While the entire cast delivers a polished performance, Walker as Guildenstern and Duque as The Player distinguish themselves as rising stars. The scenes shared by these two actors are worthy of a standing ovation. Their timing is brilliant. Their delivery of both lines and movement is flawless. Joshua Foster as Polonius, Ophelia’s father and Claudius’ advisor, and Zachary Sexton as Alfred, a scandalous tragedian, deliver stand-out performances. The creative costume design by Michelle Hickman and the set and lighting design by Sean Urbantke add to this production's ability to draw the audience into the story. The sound design by Stephanie Condon gives this production a fresh, modern feel.” ~ MD Theatre Guide
“Theatre AACC’s Friday night production of it [Rosencrantz and Guildenstern] lived up to my high expectations…Theatre AACC’s performance kept the audience on our toes, from witty fourth-wall breaks to sudden pirate attacks and dramatic death scenes. The show’s titular protagonists, played by AACC alumnus Eliza Geib and theater student Cameron Walker, built off each other exquisitely in rapid back-and-forth comedy… Despite the protagonists having nearly all the lines, the almost-silent performance of the Tragedians got the biggest laughs from the audience…The actors took full advantage of the stage’s multi-layered set, moving up and down the wooden steps, hiding in barrels and falling off the edge of the boat… All in all, it was an incredible experience, with flashy costumes and even flashier fight scene choreography that ended with roaring applause.” ~ Campus Current
PRODUCTION PHOTOS
