PJC drama fraternity produces “Taming of the Shrew”
Published or Revised April 02, 2013
Paris Junior College drama students rehearse “The Taming of the Shrew,” to be performed in the Ray Karrer Theater at 7:30 p.m., April 5-6. The drama student honor society, Delta Psi Omega, is in charge of all aspects of the production. In this scene the father Baptista, played by Ryan Box, berates his daughter Katherina, played by Paige Collins at right, for tying the hands of his younger daughter Bianca, played by Kathryn Comer.
Paris Junior College sophomore Justin Cox takes the reins as director for the all-student production of The Taming of the Shrew, to be performed in the Ray Karrer Theater April 5-6. Members of Delta Psi Omega, a national honor society for participants in collegiate theater, are in charge of all aspects of the production.
"To my knowledge, this is the first student-run show since the days of Ray Karrer at PJC," said Cox, from Memphis, Tenn. "It's student-directed, student-cast, and student-managed. Attending this show is not only a great way to show support for the department, but also the students."
"In this play," Cox said, "a plan is put together to get a man to marry off his oldest daughter, who has refused to marry to spite her younger sister. If Katherina marries, all the different suitors have a shot at marrying the younger daughter. Along comes Petruchio, a virile, masculine, manly man, who has come to 'tame the shrew.'"
"It's exhilarating and fun to watch," said Lucas Robertson of Paris. He plays Hortensio and is in charge of publicity. "The fight scene between Katherina and Petruchio is the funniest."
"Allowing students to take control of an entire production, from the choice of the play all the way down to the detail of properties design, allows those students to understand the creative process and how difficult it is," says PJC drama instructor and club sponsor William Walker. "Through this process they learn that teamwork is what creates theater and not the individual. The actors discover that there is more to the art of theater than just themselves. It gives them a true sense of ownership in the process."
The play is slated for Friday and Saturday, April 5-6, at 7:30 p.m. in the Ray Karrer Theater, located in the Administration Building on the northwest corner of the campus. For more information or tickets, call 903-782-0488.
Cast List: Petruchio - Taren Sartor, Paris; Katherina - Paige Collins, Pickton; Bianca - Kathryn Comer, Paris; Baptista - Ryan Box, Paris; Grumella, Widow - Samantha Lanphier, Pearland; Grumio - Austen Naron, Paris; Lucentio - Edward Kelley, Splendora; Tranio - Emily McDaniel, Hugo, Okla.; Hortensio - Lucas Robertson, Paris; Servant 1 - Shelby Gilliam, Paris; Servant 2 - Leah Maxson, Sherman.
Crew List: Director is Justin Cox and the lone non-student is Artistic Director William Walker. The remaining crew - all students from Paris - include Stage Manager, Kevin Calhoun; Publicity, Lucas Robertson; Properties, Austen Naron; and Costumes, Kaytlyn Zimmer.
