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Shakespeare Festival St. Louis Education Tour comes to North Technical High School

Shakespear Festival
Shakespeare Festival St. Louis Education Tour "Othello in a Breath." Khnemu Menu-Ra* Laura Sexauer as Othello and Desdemona
*Member Actor's Equity Association Photo © Ron Lindsay
Othello in a Breath, the Shakespeare classic condensed by playwright Elizabeth Birkenmeier, stayed true to its name as the five act tragedy by William Shakespeare was shortened to a 45 minute play for North Tech High seniors on Monday, March 12. Opening the play with a short introduction was Emily Klinger of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis Education Tour, the tour manager of the production. The Shakespeare Festival Education Tour is an organization dedicated to spreading the importance of Shakespeare through education and community outreach. The company has been performing for high-schools across St. Louis for a total of 10 years, with a new Shakespeare classic for every tour. The plays can also be seen during the summer at Forest Park, for The Shakespeare Festival St. Louis.

Our North Tech Seniors were in for a treat as the play began, introducing the main characters against the backdrop of a vivid comic book-like Venetian city. Othello tells the tale of an envious, hateful villain Iago and his plot against Venetian General Othello, played by actor Khnemu Menu-Ra, and his love Desdemona, played by actress Laura Sexuarer. Fueled by jealousy and hate Iago manipulates and deceives to get what he wants, destroying love and trust along the way. The play ran seamlessly as 6 actors played a total of 15 characters, donning face masks to switch character. Needless, to say the play kept the seniors intrigued from beginning to end.

The production ended as the actors took a bow, while the seniors and staff gave a much deserved applause and the two leads were given a bouquet of tulips following an interesting Q & A session between the seniors and actors. Although some seniors had no previous knowledge of Othello beforehand they still very much enjoyed the production and gained a new appreciation for Shakespeare.

Written by student: Corrinne Smith