'Hamlet' visits the next generation of Shakespeareans in Alberton

To be, or not to be, that is the question,” actor Ty Fanning said in Act 3 of Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet” during a performance at the Alberton School on Wednesday, Nov. 16.

In this scene, Hamlet contemplates death and suicide, speaking about the pain and unfairness of life but also that the alternative might be worse.

“Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them: to die, to sleep no more…” the actor continued, as he held a knife in his hand.

The production was a part of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, which is through the College of Arts and Architecture at Montana State University in Bozeman. Their mission is to make “quality, live theatrical productions of Shakespeare and other classics accessible to communities in Montana and surrounding states with an emphasis on underserved, rural areas who would not otherwise have this opportunity.”

Shakespeare in the Schools is part of this mission, which is to educate young people and enhance their understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare’s work.

During introductions, a gym full of students from first grade through high school, sat in anticipation for the play to begin. There was one stage set up in the middle of the floor, where all scenes were to take place. The public was also welcome to attend, and several residents were in attendance for this free performance.

“The language can be difficult at times, compared to what we are used to hearing,” explained actress Stephanie Chavara, who played Gertrude, Hamlets mother. “It’s like walking into a dark room and your eyes need to adjust before you can see things. Your ears need to hear what we are saying and how we are saying it, and as your ears adjust, you begin to understand what we are saying.”

About 75 percent of production costs are funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as from a number of sponsors and donors. The school paid $800, 25 percent of the costs, to bring the production to town. These fees help to offset expenses such as gas and lodging, said Michael Wainwright, the company’s development director.

William Brown is the director and he also directed the production of “The Comedy of Errors” which was performed last August in Superior. The Mineral County Performing Arts Council brought that production to the area which was also through Shakespeare in the Parks.

The actors are from all over the United States. Joe Bianco is from Chicago and played Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle, who murdered his father in order to become the King of Denmark. Tyler Meredith is from Arkansas and played Hamlets love interest, Ophelia. Miles Duffy, played Horatio and is from Minneapolis. Luke Massengill played Polonius, Ophelia’s father, and is originally from Wyoming.

Ten members are in this troop and will have traveled to 50 schools in Montana and surrounding states. The day also includes workshops for the middle and high school students. Another school program called “Montana Shakes” is geared toward elementary students. The troop will visit 75 schools this year with that program. School librarian, Carole Carlstrom, said they hope to bring “Montana Shakes” to Alberton next year.

The ghost of Hamlet’s father was just a voice booming over a loud speaker. But it was scary enough to cause a few first graders to leave the play for the safety of their classroom.

“Sometimes it’s what you can’t see that’s even scarier,” said Duffy, quoting Alfred Hitchcock after the play ended.

When it was over, the actors opened up the floor to questions from the students. One student asked “what was their favorite part of the play”?

“I like the ‘play within a play’ scene,” responded Brett Garrett, who played Laertes, Ophelia’s brother. He was referring to the scene when Hamlet orchestrates a play in which actors perform the murder of the king, to the audience of his uncle and mother in order to prove that his uncle murdered his father.

The actors came out with black masks and royal attire to reenact the scene. However, the rest of the cast for this production of Hamlet wore contemporary clothing and had modern props.

“It makes the play more accessible,” said Chavara. “If the students can imagine a more modern place they can relate better to the characters. It makes the characters less intimidating since Shakespeare is already difficult to understand.”

“It’s an old story for a modern day audience,” added Duffy.

Another scene that the students enjoyed was when Hamlet and Laertes are fighting while fencing with swords.

“It takes a lot of rehearsal and practice to create that scene,” said Duffy, during the question and answer session. “Both Ty and I have had a lot of training in fencing while we were in college.”

The group started in mid-September and rehearsed for three weeks, six hours a day, six days a week in order to prepare said Faith Servant, who played Rosencrantz.

Several high school students had studied “Hamlet” in Eric Johnson’s English class.

“I enjoyed it more because I understood what they were saying and knew what it was about,” said junior, Montanna Baughman.