Shakespeare festival set for Friday, April 21

Published or Revised April 12, 2006

Does the word [i]sonnet[/i] make you sigh with anticipation? Does "the Scottish play" cause you to smile with glee - or perhaps worry about bad luck? If so, you're a fan of "the bard" and should make plans to attend Paris Junior College's third annual Shakespeare Festival Friday, April 21, from 10 a.m. until noon on the grounds of DeShong Chapel on the PJC campus. "I started it because I'm a Shakespeare junkie," said Ruth Ann Alsobrook, a government instructor at PJC. "When I lived in Austin, I used to host a party every year celebrating Shakespeare's birth." Alsobrook continues to spearhead the now-annual event, but has plenty of help and support from PJC staff and students who join her in love of the legendary playwright. This year's festival program includes the expected, as well as the unusual and fun: » Members of the PJC English Department will read sonnets. » Dr. Ken Haley will perform parodies of sonnets. » Performances by PJC's music students. » Drama students will perform three Shakespearean scenes. » For those in the know, a Shakespeare trivia quiz. "There will also be assorted general silliness," said Alsobrook.