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About the Shakespearean Society
Since 1958, "Fellowship in a cry of players" has been more than a motto for the Homer High School Shakespearean Society – it has been a creed, a mantra and a reality.
Dedicated to bringing the bard’s many and varied works to life, the Society has been committed to producing quality productions while acquainting (or better acquainting) both students and community alike with Shakespeare’s body of work. In addition to performing many plays that professional theatres shy away from, the Society has been a community-within-a-community for the hundreds of students that have passed through its ranks.
Having had only a handful of advisors in its long and illustrious history, the Shakespearean Society is an organization with deep roots and a strong sense of tradition. The Shakespearean Society was officially founded on April 19th, 1958, by William S. Whiting and a group of dedicated and enthusiastic Homer High School students. Having just attended a local school’s Latin festival, at which they were required to present an entertainment, and having chosen to present some scenes from Julius Caesar, the Shakespearean fire had been ignited. The enjoyment, enthusiasm and success of those scenes naturally led to the students selecting a full-length work to present, and of course they selected the most widely-known (and most challenging), Hamlet. They conquered the script and presented a very well received and strong production, setting the stage for many more triumphs to come.
The ambition of the Society and its membership continued unabated and led to bigger and better productions, with a continually rotating cast and crew. One such member was fortunate enough to rise through the ranks of the Society to be cast in the title role of another production of Hamlet, William Allen. Under the tutelage of William Whiting, Bill Allen was able to turn in a performance to rival in any the Society’s history, which by this time was no small thing. Several years later, having graduated from college, Bill Allen returned to Homer’s stage as Bill Whiting’s Technical Director, building and designing (or re-designing) sets as needed by the Society. Finally, the fateful day came when Bill Whiting decided to retire from teaching and also from the Shakespearean Society. Though a sad day for many and an emotional time for all, the torch was being passed from teacher to student in a most ancient and noble tradition.
Under the ministrations of Bill Allen, the Society continued to grow and to be known for its excellence. The club continued to introduce students and community alike to Shakespeare and his works, even reworking some plays by placing them into new and exciting time periods. One memorable occasion was the 1994 production of The Taming of the Shrew (which is being produced again this year for the 50th Anniversary), which set the tale in the wild west, juxtaposing a classic Elizabethan theme with the harsh environment of the American frontier. From daring new interpretations to faithful representations of Shakespeare’s texts, Bill Allen brought in new members and kept the home fires burning brightly until his retirement when Jeannine Giordano stepped in as the interim advisor and director to produce two shows until the torch was passed again to a Shakespearean acolyte, and a real witch at that.
Louise Felker-Holl was an active member of the Shakespearean Society as a student at Homer High, during which time she ran the gamut of responsibilities, from stagecraft to lights and thunder to a memorable stint as a witch in the Scottish play. After graduating and heading off to college, she continued to play a supportive role in the Society, first as a volunteer and then as the Technical Director and Set Designer (for any shows not requiring the Globe Theatre set). As only the third advisor in Society history and its first female advisor, she felt the full weight of her responsibilities in upholding the grand tradition of excellence. Her efforts have not been in vain, having expanded the Society’s numbers and coffers by injecting a strong sense of tradition, history and pride into her membership. The addition of a Student Directing Project, which allows upper class students who have been involved in the Society to direct short scenes that precede the mainstage production, thereby allowing more people to have speaking roles while allowing experienced members the opportunity to show what they’ve learned.
With the Homer Shakespearean Society’s 50th Anniversary this year, it is a perfect time to look back on the Society’s illustrious history and acknowledge all the people who have contributed to its success. With a 50-year membership of over seven hundred people, the Shakespearean Society has been shaped by many loving hands and has helped shape the lives of people on both sides of the curtain. To further strengthen the sense of tradition associated with membership in the Shakespearean Society, the current membership is inviting all Shakespeareans, from every era, back to celebrate the 50th Anniversary at this spring’s Gala 50th Anniversary Production of The Taming of the Shrew on May 16th and 17th at 7:30pm. In addition to a spectacular production of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays, there will be displays of Shakespearean Society through the ages, tours of the high school (since it has grown considerably in the last 50 years), and on Saturday, May 17th, a dinner before the performance will be given by the district for all former members and their families.
In order to celebrate this auspicious occasion, the Society is putting together a contact database of all the former members. If you were a member of the Shakespearean Society, or were involved in a Shakespearean production in any way, the Society would love to hear from you! The sense of tradition and accomplishment that comes along with the Shakespearean Society is only enhanced by connecting with those that both preceded and succeeded one’s own time with the Society, so please call or email Louise Felker-Holl with your current contact information, your stories and memories, or to reserve a place at the 50th Anniversary Dinner (as space is limited). Anyone interested in attending the production need only arrive prior to the 7:30pm curtain on May 16th or 17th to be a part of the celebration and to wander fondly down memory lane by looking at the displays of the Shakespearean Society’s long and illustrious history.
So, “if you be not of the house of Montagues, I pray, come and crush a cup…”
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