Shakespeare doesn't have to be so boring

by Marcella Ortega

Daily Lobo

After 27 years of teaching, "Twelfth Night" will be the last hurrah for UNM professor Denise Schulz.

"It has everything you could want - humor, love, sword fighting, singing, dancing. It's not dry, boring Shakespeare," Schulz said.

Schulz collaborated with scenic and lighting designer John Malolepsy, a UNM professor. Schulz and Malolepsy started teaching at the University in 1979 and will retire in May. "Twelfth Night" begins Friday at the Rodey Theatre. Schulz said more than half the cast are seniors graduating in May.

Schulz said "Twelfth Night" incorporates multiple plots. It begins when twins Viola and Sebastian are shipwrecked at distant shores and set out in search of new lives.

Meghan Bode plays Viola, who is shipwrecked on the shore of Illyria. Viola dresses as a man and becomes an assistant to Duke Orsino of Illyria.

"It's hard not to swing my hips when I walk," Bode said. "When I talk about love, I get girly."

Bode said another challenge was Shakespeare's lines.

"It's hard because the language is difficult to get your brain around and make it make sense to the audience," she said.

Schulz said the plot is difficult to explain because it involves deceptions, drunkenness and mischief-makers.

"That's why Shakespeare survives after all these years," Schulz said "He tells great action stories."

Malolepsy designed a rake stage for the production. A rake stage is set up with a floor that is raised in the back of the stage and slopes downward toward the front. Schulz said the stage was typical in old theaters that did not have stadium seating. She said it's designed so the audience can see the actors in the back.

"It definitely took getting used to not stumbling down," Bode said.

Heather Yeo plays Maria, a lady in waiting to Olivia, who is a noble lady courting Duke Orsino. Yeo said Maria marries Sir Toby - Olivia's uncle.

"He's drunk with a head wound (at the wedding)," Yeo said. "I think it's the beginning of a solid union, like Dr. Phil and Robin."

Alex Knight plays Sir Andrew, a friend of Sir Toby, who is often disrespected by other characters for his ignorance.

"It's kind of depressing to go in there sometimes and get beat up," Knight said. "I've never played a character so low."

Schulz said she will direct a play at California State University-Fullerton this summer. She said she's not sure what the future has in store after that.

"Every year, when a group graduates, we think it will be disastrous," Schulz said. "But a new crop always comes in."

"Twelfth Night"

Rodey Theatre

April 19 and 20

7:30 p.m.

April 21

6 p.m.

April 22

2 p.m.

$15 general admission

$10 faculty

$8 UNM staff and students

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