Thank you for joining us!
We are thrilled to be together for in-person theater at Notre Dame of Maryland University! Today's performance will run approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, including one 10 minute intermission. Restrooms are located on the second floor of LeClerc Hall.
About the Play
As the play begins, two sets of brothers are at odds. Oliver refuses to share his inheritance with his younger brother, Orlando-- and is even plotting to have Orlando die at a wrestling match. Duke Frederick has banished his older brother, Duke Senior, in order to take over as duke!
Duke Senior is living in exile in the Forest of Arden with a motley crew of followers, including Jaques (the ultimate emo) and Amiens (a singer). Meanwhile, at the wrestling match, Duke Senior's daughter, Rosalind, meets Orlando. It's love at first sight... but then Duke Frederick banishes Rosalind, too! Rosalind goes on the run with her bestie, Celia, and their loyal clown, Touchstone.
In the forest, Rosalind disguises as a boy called Ganymede...and from there, the hijinks ensue! Have we mentioned that Orlando also heads to the Forest of Arden, along with Adam, his very, very (very) old servant? And then there's the others who live there, too, like the shepherd Corin (a natural philosopher of sorts) and Silvius, a hopeless romantic desperately in love with Phebe (a shepherdess with a sharp tongue)!
You can use our digital play guide to read more about the plot and characters-- including a full synopsis (spoilers!) and even scene-by-scene summaries.
Meet the Cast
ANGELINA MOREE (ROSALIND)
ANGELINA MOREE is a sophomore Biology major at NDMU and is minoring in Philosophy and English. She is also active both in and out of school, always working on personal or school-based projects. She plays guitar, acts, and sings in NDMU's Concert choir. This is her third theatrical production at NDMU, having previously performed in two of our Fall Pop-Up plays, Ada and the Engine (Ada), and Hookman (Chloe). She has also performed in Aladdin (Ensemble), and Beauty and the Beast (Lafou) before college. Special thanks to her parents and sister for traveling to support her and her endeavors.
Anisah Khattak (Adam, Audrey)
ANISAH KHATTAK is a sophomore Physics major at NDMU. This is her second consecutive semester participating in theater at Notre Dame. Last semester she played in all our Fall Pop Up Plays: Ada and the Engine (Narrator), Hookman (Kayleigh), and The Helpers (Koophius). When she isn’t on stage, you can find Anisah reading, doing her math homework, drinking caffeinated beverages, or all three at once.
Anne-Marie Fienkeng (Orlando De Boys)
ANNE-MARIE FIENKENG is a senior and a Psychology major with Natural Sciences minor from Loyola. This is their first Notre Dame production as well as first Shakespeare production! Previous performances - all at Loyola - include The Wolves (00), with Ann Turiano, and Love and Information. The past two years have been spent on crew for the most recent plays, as Graphic Designer (Jake's Women, Blue Stockings, Murder on the Orient Express). Outside of theater, Anne-Marie is a member of the Loyola Dance Company and Honors Program. Super thanks to Ann for working with her again, and Michael Devereaux for introducing this opportunity!
Audrey Schlamp (Oliver)
AUDREY SCHLAMP a freshman Sociology major at Loyola University Maryland and is minoring in Theatre. This is her first theatrical production at NDMU, however she performed in Loyola’s Spotlight Players’ production of Last Summer at Bluefish Cove (Rae). She also performed in Mamma Mia (Lisa) and Murdered to Death (Elizabeth Hartley-Trumpington), as well as The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Narrator) in high school. Audrey would like to thank the entire cast and crew of As You Like It for believing in her, pushing her to be her best, and welcoming her into an amazing program.
Benni jessee (la beau, phebe)
BENNI JESSEE is a first-year Communication Arts and History/Political Science Major at NDMU and is minoring in Women's Studies. She is active in the Drama Program and is the Drama Program Assistant and Social Media Coordinator. This is her fourth theatrical production at NDMU, having performed in the Fall Pop-Up Plays: Ada and the Engine (Mary Sommerville), Hookman (Jess), and The Helpers (Mrs. Stoppleman). She also performed in the pit for the musicals at her high school. Outside of being on stage, you can find her ghost hunting, reading and writing.
Brianna malkus (hymen, second lord)
BRIANNA MALKUS is a sophomore Marketing Communications major at NDMU and is minoring in Philosophy. She is also active as a Bonner Leader at NDMU. This is her first college production having previously performed in the Town Ensemble and as Phyllis in the musical Bye Bye Birdie during her senior year of high school. Special shout-out to everyone who made it possible for her to participate in this production, as well as her friends and family who have come to support her.
Chris cotterman (Duke frederick, duke senior, william)
CHRIS COTTERMAN is a Baltimore actor and director with an extensive background working with Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Some favorite past roles include Leontes (The Winter's Tale), Richard (Richard III), Mark Antony (Antony and Cleopatra), Bassanio (The Merchant of Venice), and Berowne (Love's Labour's Lost). Chris is delighted to be a part of this production, and would like to thank the students of the ensemble for being so welcoming and wonderful to work with.
Hermione Riggs (Charles the Wrestler & Corin)
HERMIONE RIGGS is a senior Psychology Major in NDMU’s undergraduate program. At NDMU, she has been in multiple performances such as Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Moors, and Ada and the Engine. She has enjoyed theater greatly due to her father. She would like to thank her father and boyfriend for their continuous support through college and life.
Lucius robinson (touchstone)
LUCIUS ROBINSON is a Princess Grace award-winning performer, director, writer, and teacher who received his MFA from the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theater and his MAT from Notre Dame of Maryland University. Recent stage credits include Twelfth Night (Venture Shakespeare), Forgive Us, Gustavito (Best of Fringe at the 2018 Charm City Fringe Festival, Mad River Festival), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Copeland Theater), Titus Andronicus (Bedlam), The Weir (Burning Coal Theater Company) and his solo show YOU’RE IN DANGER! (Best of Fringe at the 2017 Charm City Fringe Festival, Kansas City Fringe Festival, Portland Fringe Festival). He teaches Drama for Baltimore City schools and for Everyman Theater.
Matthew Gamerdinger (Jaques)
MATTHEW GAMERDINGER is a sophomore at Loyola University Maryland. He is a part of the Evergreen Players and has previously performed in Milk Milk Lemonade as Emory and Blue Stockings as Holmes. He has also had experience with crew while building the set for Last Summer at BlueFish Cove. This is his first time performing Shakespeare and has had a wonderful time being welcomed in by the Notre Dame Theatre community!
Mary Kate O’Callaghan (Silvius and 1st Lord)
MARY KATE O’CALLAGHAN is a freshman at Loyola University Maryland and her major is currently undecided. As You Like It will be the third production of her college career, alongside Blue Stockings (Celia) and Last Summer at Bluefish Cove (Dr. Kitty Cochrane) at Loyola. She is so excited to be working with such an amazing cast and crew. This is her first time performing a full Shakespeare play and is honored to learn from such talented people. Special thanks to Nez who was kind enough to think of her for this role. She will be forever grateful.
ROBIN RIHA-LOPEZ (AMIENS/FORESTER)
ROBIN RIHA-LOPEZ works in Early Childhood Education and is faculty at A Child's Place at NDMU. Robin graduated from the Institute of Children’s Literature in 2001, and she is also a graduate of Towson State University where she received her B.S. in Education, with a minor in theater, in 1993. She also earned a degree in Teacher (Music) Education from Essex Community College in 1989 and had the honor of graduating from Ringling Brothers Clown College in 1986. She is passionate about sharing with others, and she uses her skills in drama, puppetry, and sign language as well as her talent as writer for young children to accomplish this. Robin dedicates As You Like It to her family, especially her husband, mother, and her son, Robert Vincent “Vince.” “Keep reaching for the stars, for only as high can I reach will I grow."
Taryn Comizio (Celia)
TARYN COMIZIO is a sophomore at Loyola University Maryland with an interdisciplinary major in psychology and theater. Her past college shows include Last Summer at Bluefish Cove (Lil), Murder on the Orient Express (Princess Dragomiroff), and Hedda Gabler (Judge Brack). This is her first show at NDMU, and she’s excited to be working with such a lovely group of people! Special thanks to Ann, Alex, and Nez for all their hard work in making this show a success.
ALEX PERRY (Jacques De Boys, Stage Manager)
ALEX PERRY is is a senior Communication Arts major at NDMU. Their past shows with NDMU Drama include Iphigenia and Other Daughters, Decision Height, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Moors, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. They also work in Baltimore theatre, working on such shows as The Effect (Fells Point Corner Theatre) and the premier production Hand Through the Veil written by Sean Coe. Shout out to the amazing cast of As You Like It for creating a truly fun and memorable experience for their last show at NDMU.
Meet the Crew
ANN TURIANO (DIRECTOR)
ANN TURIANO is delighted to return to NDMU! Co-Artistic Director: Sisters Freehold. Resident Artist: Iron Crow Theatre. At NDMU: Ada and the Engine (staged reading), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Silent Sky (staged reading), The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Decision Height, and The Rover. Additional directing credits: The Sleepover (Sisters Freehold), kid simple: A Radio Play in the Flesh (Loyola University Maryland), Jerusalem and The Quickening (Fells Point Corner Theatre), The Sea Voyage (Baltimore Shakespeare Factory), and The Zero Hour (Iron Crow Theatre). Big thanks to Chris, Lucius, & Kate! annturiano.com
Nez Blaho (Assistant Director)
NEZ BLAHO is a sophomore Theatre major at Loyola University. This is their first show here at Notre Dame. This past experience include Blue Stockings (ASM), Last Summer at Bluefish Cove (Director), Hedda Gabler (sound design), Jakes women (Edith). Nez would like to thank the cast and crew for an amazing experience, and they hope that you enjoy the show!
Emily Coccovizzo (Costume Supervisor)
EMILY COCCOVIZZO is a first-year at Loyola University Maryland. She is a forensic studies major and a theater minor. Emily was involved in theater all throughout high school where she acted and developed her talents in Special Effects, Makeup, and Costuming. Emily was the Head of the Hair and Makeup Department in high school and was the Makeup Artist for Murder on the Orient Express and Last Summer at Blue Fish Cove at Loyola. She is thankful to be part of her first show at Notre Dame. Congratulations to the lovely cast and crew on an amazing show.
KELSEY BIALOZYNSKI (HOUSE MANAGER)
KELSEY BIALOZYNSKI is a senior Liberal Arts major at NDMU with a minor in Philosophy. Theatre has always been a part of Kelsey’s life, and she performed in 9 shows throughout middle and high school, including Night of the Living Dead, Annie, Arsenic and Old Lace, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. As a freshman at NDMU, she also performed as the lead, Iphigenia, in Iphigenia and Other Daughters. Kelsey would like to thank her family and friends for being her support system, and for their love, support, and guidance. They’re part of why she does what she does and what keeps her going. To the cast and crew, “Break a Leg!”
Makeima Freeland (Rhetoric Coach)
MAKEIMA FREELAND is a Baltimore-based theatremaker, triple threat performer, and a proud member of Delta Psi Omega (ΔΨΩ). Recently, she co-directed The Sleepover, a devised, interactive, and immersive Zoom performance. Makeima takes rhetoric seriously. She's in love with wordplay. She has worked as a rhetorician for the BSF production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. Makeima is Co-Artistic Director of Sisters Freehold, a Baltimore-based theatre transforming the world of theatre by eliminating barriers to entry.
K. Shaka Opare (HEADSHOT photographY)
KWAME SHAKA OPARE is a classically trained West African dancer with an MFA in Dance from the University of Maryland. At 14, he became a principal dancer with Kankouran West African Dance Company (Washington DC). As a young adult, Kwame Shaka moved to New York where he established himself as a dynamic instructor and choreographer. In the late 90s, he began touring with the Broadway show STOMP, in the lead role and as rehearsal director where he remained for 8 years. Kwame Shaka used his expertise as a photographer to create a short documentary film that would accompany his live performance entitled, .theProcess: Ghana (BAM 2017). kwameshakaopare.com
Kate Bossert (PRODUCER)
KATE BOSSERT is an Associate Professor of English and Director of the Drama Program at NDMU. This is her thirteenth show as managing producer. Kate holds a PhD and MA in early modern English literature from University of Maryland and a BA in Fine Arts (Drama) and English from Loyola University Maryland. She's grateful to Ann for yet another fun and creative collaboration--and in awe of the cast and crew for their talent and dedication!
Special Thanks
We are grateful to the many people who gave generously of their time and talent to support this show.
Thank you to Rachel Camponeshi for our poster design; Ray Bossert for our Shakespeare button artwork and design; Damita McDonald, Erik Pedersen and University Communications for marketing support; David Sibony and NDMU Conference Services for space reservations, ticketing, and helping us navigate our outdoor venue and weather contingencies; NDMU Public Safety for countless unlock requests and for traffic control during our performances; Provost Sr. Sharon Slear, Dean Pamela O'Brien and English Department Chair Bill Davis for budget resources and advocacy; Professor Geoff Delanoy and the students in Digital Photography for collaborating on re-photography; Benni Jessee for program layout and for managing content on Drama's social media accounts; and the Loyola University Maryland Department of Fine Arts for allowing us to borrow costumes.
We are also grateful to our celebrity guest stars for their good humor and their willingness to play along with us!
Did You Know?
Our production of Shakespeare's As You Like It is a 99-year anniversary revival! On June 4, 1923, Notre Dame's Ye Merrie Masquers performed As You Like It outdoors on campus. Below is a photograph, likely from that production, reproduced from the Notre Dame of Maryland University Archives at Loyola Notre Dame Library. This Spring, our current cast and crew collaborated with NDMU Photography students to recreate this image, along with other early drama photography from the archive. The re-photography will be featured in a digital exhibition later in April. You can read more about the upcoming exhibition here.
Follow us on Instagram! @ndmudrama
Credits:
Created with images by fietzfotos - "forest trees autumn" • roxxyphotos - "Sunrays filtering thru the forest foliage in a Vancouver Island provincial park" • roxxyphotos - "Sunrays filtering thru the forest foliage in a Vancouver Island provincial park"