Mount St. Charles Presents "The Taming of the Shrew"

Shakespeare on the Mount will present "The Taming of the Shrew" at Mount’s Bell Tower Theater 800 Logee St. July 12 -15 and July 19 – 21.

Working in association with the Fine Arts Department, Shakespeare on the Mount’s production of "The Taming of the Shrew" is an effort by Jason Robert LeClair (Mount alumnus from the Class of 1992) to grow a love for classical theater in young adults ages 13-21. This year’s company comes from 6 high schools and 12 towns throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts, as well as 6 colleges in the US.

Shakespeare on the Mount is an extension of the summer camp that Mount’s Fine Arts Department hosts every year for students from any school who are entering grades 5-10.  Members of the summer camp can create schedules of 6 daily classes, choosing from more than 100 courses in art, drama, dance, and music as well as other areas of interest such as science challenge, photography, Norse myths and legends, and badminton. 

LeClair, also a teacher at the Mount summer camp and a faculty member of the Beacon Charter School, uses his 13 years of teaching experience to engage the creative minds of the young artists that choose to join the company. He said, “My philosophy is two-fold: instill a love of classical theater in each member of the company; facilitate a community of inspiring cooperative creation.” Using Shakespeare as a platform for this philosophy, the company members use all of their individual talents and gifts to aid in the creation of an art piece of the highest caliber. Whether a member of the tech crew or an actor, all hands work on every aspect of the production. On any given day of set building, actors can be seen alongside the tech crew screwing together set pieces or painting backdrops. In turn, tech members aid actors with memorization of lines and come to rehearsals they are not required to attend to get a better idea of what they need for the show. 

"The Taming of the Shrew" will be performed on July 12 -14 at 7.p.m.; July 15 at 2 p.m.; and July 19 – 21 at 7 p.m. General admission tickets are $10; $8 for seniors; and $5 for students. For reservations, please call 401-769-0310 (please note the school will be closed July 2 – 6) or email jasonrobertleclair@gmail.com.

There are also openings still available for Mount’s summer camp. The camp dates are July 16 – 27 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4p.m. Go to http://mscfinearts.com/SumCamp.html for more details.