North Central College students stage Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” April 25-28

North Central College students stage “The Taming of the Shrew,” William Shakespeare’s play about gender differences, April 25-28.

Five performances will be presented at 7:30 p.m. April 25-27 and at 2 p.m. April 27-28 in North Central College’s theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St. A preshow, featuring original live music, will be staged at 7:10 p.m. before the evening performances and at 1:40 p.m. before matinee shows. Tickets are $10/adults and $8/students and senior citizens; call the North Central College Box Office at 630-637-SHOW (7469).

Hotly debated for its jaw-dropping representations of sex, gender and power, “The Taming of the Shrew” has been inspiring controversy for centuries. This gender-bending production explores the questions “Who is in control?” and “Is anyone being tamed at all?” North Central College’s production features an all-student cast and is directed by Carin Silkaitis, assistant professor of theatre and chair of North Central College’s art and theatre departments.

This production is set in the contemporary Brooklyn and tells the story of the Minola family, involving desperate suitors, clever disguises and unconventional romance. The play raises serious questions about roles within marriage and includes such classic literary elements as a play-within-a-play and mistaken identity.

The director’s take on “The Taming of the Shrew” is designed to make the audience think critically about gender. The gender identities of most characters are switched. The hope is that by presenting gender in a way that the audience cannot recognize, the audience will be compelled to think about gender in the context of the play and about the variety of institutionalized oppressions individuals face daily as a result of gender inequality, Silkaitis says.

The cast for “The Taming of the Shrew” features (role, actor, town, year, major):

Katharina: Bryan Renaud of Sugar Grove, a senior majoring in theatre
Lucentio: Cullen Rogers of North Aurora, a junior majoring in psychology and theatre
Biondello: Colleen DeRosa of Downers Grove, a freshman majoring in musical theatre
Gremio: Chelsea Ward of Naperville, a sophomore majoring in musical theatre
Baptista: Heidi Buyck of Woodridge, a senior majoring in theatre
Petruchio: Madelyn DePorter of Orion, Ill., a sophomore majoring in theatre and global studies
Bianca: Jack Bauer of Manhattan, Ill., a sophomore majoring in theatre and psychology
Tranio: Bethany Schick of Yorkville, a junior majoring in theatre
Hortensio: Carlye Pillash of Streator, a sophomore majoring in psychology
Grumio: Olivia Crary of New Glarus, Wis., a sophomore majoring in theatre

North Central College offers majors in theatre or musical theatre and a minor in dance. A full range of acting and dance classes is available, as well as opportunities to direct a full-length production. Students of all majors can participate in musical and nonmusical performances, actor showcases and one-act plays and performances in the College’s four theatre venues. Full-time professors and active professionals who are artist-teachers serve as faculty. V

Navistar is underwriting sponsor of North Central College’s 2012-2013 Fine and Performing Arts Season. The season is partially supported by USG Corporation and a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and National Endowment of the Arts.