Alex Paul is Performing In a Joint Production of "King Lear" at Alvernia University and Albright College

2013 Mar 22

Alex Paul, of Mohnton, Pa., is performing as the Duke of Albany in the joint production of "King Lear," at both Alvernia University and Albright College in April. Paul is a freshman Political Science major at Alvernia.

Alvernia Theatre and Albright College's Domino Players are presenting a joint production of the classic "King Lear," performed at both colleges beginning April 4, 2013.

"As a freshman, this opportunity to work on a collaboration, and being cast as Albany, is far more than anything that I was expecting out of theater this year," says Paul. "Being able to work alongside many different people from around both campuses is incredible, and I am very glad about my role in this great project."

The play will be directed by Julia Matthews, chair of the Albright Theatre Department who holds a doctorate in Shakespeare studies. Dr. Nathan Thomas, director of theatre at Alvernia will play King Lear.

This kind of collaboration is very rare and highly unusual," says Dr.Thomas. "Nationally, this kind of project hasn't been done before. We are all stepping into the bracing territory of Terra Incognita."

Students like Paul auditioned for roles occurred in December, and each program is well-represented in the cast.

"This project meets a wide variety of pedagogical goals," says Thomas. "It allows students to work with professional actors and it allows students to work with a completely different set of student actors outside of their usual network - opening up new artistic conversations. All of the actors will have to adapt to new, but experienced folks."

The show will have a longer than usual run, allowing the students to develop performance skills they don't usually get a chance to exercise. And students will have an opportunity to work side-by-side with faculty mentors.

"King Lear" - heralded as one of the best plays ever written - raises issues of power, poverty, family, madness, politics, religion, business, gender, justice, identity, and even meteorology.

Showings:

April 4-6 and 11-13 at 8 p.m., April 7 at 2 p.m.

Place: Alvernia University's Francis Hall Theatre

April 17-20 at 8 p.m., April 21 at 2:30 p.m.

Place: Albright College's Wachovia Theatre

ALVERNIA is a fast growing Franciscan university, grounded in the Catholic and liberal arts traditions, that combines diverse academic opportunities with personal attention and an unmatched commitment to community service. Situated on a scenic 121-acre suburban campus in historic Berks County, Pa., the university supports a rigorous and caring learning community that is home to more than 3,000 students. For more information visit alvernia.edu.