6th Grade Shakespeare Showcase 5782

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2022 JCDS CLASS OF 2024

JCDS CLASS OF 2024 SHAKESPEARE SHOWCASE As You Like It - Jaques Monologue Abe Crawford As You Like It - Act I, Scene III Rosalind - Ariella Brown Celia - Ruby Steinberg-Wolfe Duke Frederick - Luke Kraus Macbeth - Act V, Scene I Lady Macbeth - Sylvia Bargar Doctor - Miriam Stern Gentlewoman - Yulie Tirosh Macbeth Monologue Micah Gann The Tempest - Act II, Scene II Caliban - Micah Feldman Trinculo - Noam Andelman Stephano - Emma Acel-Green A Midsummer Night's Dream - Act V, Scene I Peter Quince/Prologue - Omer Caspi Nick Bottom/Pyramus - Rose Naumburg Francis Flute/Thisbe - Eliora Ancowitz Tom Snout/Wall - David Grandel Snug/Lion - Yon Schindel Robin Starveling/Moonshine - Ori Lisogorsky The Heckling Courtiers in the Audience - Emma Acel-Green, Noam Andelman, Abe Crawford, Micah Gann A Midsummer Night's Dream - Puck Monologue Quin Danzinger

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DIRECTOR’S NOTE The show you are about to see is a labor of love from our Sixth Graders to you.

They worked hard to learn their lines, to understand their characters and motivations, to memorize their blocking and the emotions that come along with the powerful scenes and monologues to which they were assigned. Rather than performing one of Shakespeare’s works this evening, you will be treated to segments from four of them: As You Like It, Macbeth, The Tempest, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It is our hope that you, like our students, will come away from this performance with a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, what makes Shakespeare so special that we still perform his work hundreds of years after his death.

Nothing I write here will be able to fully convey how hard these kids worked, nor how proud of them I am (and you soon will be). You’ll see for yourself very soon!

One last thing, however, must be mentioned. Or rather, one last person.

Alissa Cordeiro has been a powerful force and a guiding light for Shakespeare at JCDS for nearly ten years. When she told me in 2019 that the following year’s show would be her last, I was gutted. Little did I know then that saying goodbye to Alissa would become an annual tradition when, for a whole host of reasons, we ended up keeping her for THREE MORE YEARS. That said, for a whole host of different reasons, this year’s goodbye is seeming more final than usual, and I can’t pass up what may be my final opportunity to embarrass heap praise upon her - this time in writing!

(She does, in fact, have no idea I wrote this and will likely be reading it at the same time as you.)

Our students, year in and year out, have ADORED Alissa - and for good reason.

She is a patient, wise, creative, witty, and most importantly caring director. She has worked hard to bring the best out of each and every actor to have graced our stages over the years and all have come to appreciate her candor, warmth, and undying love of stagecraft. Directing 6th graders to perform Shakespeare is no easy task; and yet, with a smirk on her face, she dove in year after year, cycle after cycle, with grace, humility, and boatloads of talent. She would never accept “I can’t” as a response, and would always follow it up with a “let’s figure out how you can, together.”

Working with her has made me a better director, a better teacher, an even bigger fan of Shakespeare, and someone who truly understands that true commitment to the stage goes far beyond just memorizing lines.

If she could do that for ME, just imagine what she did for the kids.

So please join together with me in thanking Alissa for so many fantastic years. We will miss her dearly!

Enjoy the show!

Josh

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A FEW NOTES ABOUT THE SHOWS

BY ALISSA CORDEIRO AS YOU LIKE IT - ACT II, SCENE VII (JACQUES) In this play, the Forest of Arden is where many characters find refuge, shelter, and love. Duke Senior is currently living there because he was exiled by his powerhungry brother, Duke Frederick. He was joined by many nobles who remained loyal to him. Jacques is one of the nobles who followed Duke Senior to the Forest of Arden when he was exiled. He is a very melancholy person, if not by nature then by aspiring to be. In this monologue, taking place at a dinner, he muses on the cycle of life and how it is divided into acts, with everyone playing their roles.

AS YOU LIKE IT - ACT I, SCENE III (ROSALIND, CELIA, DUKE FREDERICK) Rosalind, the daughter of a banished Duke, has fallen in love with Orlando, who she has just watched win a wrestling match. Both Rosalind and Orlando are hated by her uncle, Duke Frederick, as their fathers were far more popular than he is. When pressed to take sides, Rosalind’s cousin Celia places her loyalty with Rosalind, which leaves both of their fates in the balance, until they make their own.

MACBETH - ACT V, SCENE I (LADY MACBETH, DOCTOR, GENTLEWOMAN) Lady Macbeth was one of the driving forces behind her husband’s murder of the old king, Duncan, and his ascension to the throne. However, she could not predict how much her husband’s ambition and bloodlust would grow, and has gone insane from guilt and regret, particularly about the slaying of their friend Banquo at Macbeth’s command. Try as she might, she can’t seem to free her mind (and hands) of the blood that she has helped spill.

MACBETH - ACT V, SCENE V (MACBETH) Macbeth has found himself at a point where he is at war with former friends and fellow soldiers who are pursuing him to avenge Duncan’s murder and crown 4

Duncan’s son Malcolm as the rightful King of Scotland. At the same time, Lady Macbeth’s guilt has driven her to insanity and destroyed her mental and physical health, and she succumbs to her madness. Macbeth, now at a point where he has lost everything, reflects on where his life has ended up and seems to accept his fate. By the end of the play, Macbeth will be defeated and beheaded by the soldier Macduff, and Malcolm will take the crown as the rightful King of Scotland.

THE TEMPEST - ACT II, SCENE II (CALIBAN, TRINCULO, STEPHANO) Prospero, a former Duke of Milan, has been standed on an island with his young daughter Miranda for thirteen years, after escaping from a murder plot set forth by his brother. In this time, he has taken a creature of the island, Caliban, under his wing but turned him into a slave after Caliban tried to take advantage of Miranda. Sensing that his brother is on a ship nearby, Prospero causes a tempest that strands the ship ashore, with Trinculo and Stephano among those finding themselves on this strange new island. Because of Prospero’s machinations, they have an encounter that none of them seem to be able to make sense of. The wine doesn’t help.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM - ACT V, SCENE I PLAY WITHIN A PLAY (QUINCE, BOTTOM, SNOUT, SNUG, STARVELING, THESEUS, HIPPOLYTA, LYSANDER, DEMETRIUS) The Mechanicals, a group of working men with theatrical aspirations, have gathered to present a play to celebrate the Duke’s wedding. Under the amused (and sometimes scornful) eye of the court, they stumble through their show, with results that aren’t always intended but certainly always entertaining.

CLOSING MONOLOGUE (PUCK) After everything that has happened in the play, Puck leaves the audience with the idea that if this all seemed too wild or fantastical for them, they can imagine that the events they just witnessed were just a dream. Puck wishes them thanks, and promises that their applause will send them back into their normal lives.

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THE CAST EMMA ACEL-GREEN AS STEPHANO Emma is twelve years old and she’s playing Stephano in our Shakespeare Showcase. This is her first play ever, and she is nervous but excited to accomplish this task. This is not her idea of fun but if its instead of writing 30 essays, she’s pretty happy about it. (Editor’s Note: Emma was assigned exactly 30 essays by her vengeful teacher immediately after writing this.) When she’s not performing, she’s playing soccer for her club team, chilling with her friends, scrolling on TikTok and making art. Emma would like to thank her brother Samuel, Josh, her parents, her friends, and Alissa. To her brother, thank you for being Stephano in his Shakespeare play because if not for that, she wouldn’t want to be Stephano.To her parents for helping her with lines and Josh and Alissa for being great directors. Last but not least, my friends.

Whether laughing at how stupid we looked practicing lines (Editor’s Note: they looked pretty silly) or leaning on each other for advice or taking action trips to the bathroom to dance or complain how long school is, she couldnt do this show without any of them.

ELIORA ANCOWITZ AS FRANCIS FLUTE/THISBE Eliora is 12 years old and loves playing sports, piano, guitar, making art, and hanging out with her friends. She has been in a few plays at school and camp throughout the years. Eliora is very excited to play Flute/Thisbe in this year’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Thisbe is a difficult role because Eliora has to be a girl playing a boy playing a girl, but she is ready to take on the challenge. Eliora wants to thank her Mom and Dad for helping her with going over her lines and also Josh and Alissa for helping her with her part and making Thisbe come to life!

NOAM ANDELMAN AS TRINCULO Noam is very excited to play Trinculo and Lysander in our Shakespeare Showcase. He has been in many plays, such as Annie and Peter Pan. When he is not acting, he likes to dance, sing, read, and, when he’s not fighting with his brother, playing with him. He would like to thank Josh and Alissa for directing the showcase and his mom for helping him practice his lines. He also thanks Shakespeare for writing the show.

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SYLVIA BARGAR AS LADY MACBETH Sylvia is very excited to be playing Lady Macbeth (at her craziest) in this year’s production of Macbeth. She has been in many shows before but this will be her first Shakespeare play. She is very passionate about this role.

Sometimes at night, to practice her lines she will fake sleepwalk around her room while saying, “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” (Editor’s Note: her poor family…) When Sylvia isn’t Lady Macbeth, she enjoys reading books, hanging out with her friends, playing soccer, and having fun with her two chickens, Patty and Schnitzel (get it??). She would like to thank her family for listening to her rehearse many, many, times and for always supporting her. She would also like to thank Josh for casting her and for being such a fun and nice director. (Editor’s Note: Josh did NOT pay Sylvia to say that.)

ARIELLA BROWN AS ROSALIND Ariella is really excited to play Rosalind and was eager to start memorizing her lines. This is not her first time performing a play/show in front of an audience.

She did theater at Chestnut Hill School for many years and is going to go to a sleepaway camp in Los Angeles for acting this summer. There was also an acting group at Newton City Hall in which she took part. Ariella loves to play tennis and bakes treats to eat right after she makes them. She wants to thank her mom for reminding her not to stress about memorizing lines.

OMER CASPI AS PETER QUINCE/PROLOGUE Omer is excited to play Peter Quince in our Shakespeare Showcase. He played Hamlet once in fourth grade and failed to understand it. Omer is hopefully going to do better this time. When Omer has free time, he loves to play on his computer and invent machines. Omer would like to thank Josh Mocle for helping me with my grammar and script.

ABE CRAWFORD AS JACQUES Abe is excited to play Jaques in our Shakespeare Showcase. He has never done a play before and hopes he won’t mess everything up. His character is a very peaceful person who ends up in a monastery. Abe has no idea how to do that so instead will act like he just drank a six pack of Monster Energy Drink.

In his free time he likes to read newspapers on the most unimportant things possible. He would like to thank Josh for yelling at him when it was required.

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QUIN DANZINGER AS PUCK Quin is excited to play Puck in our Shakespeare Showcase. When he is not hiking or biking, he is reading. He has never performed in a Shakespeare play before. He thanks his family for helping him memorize his lines.

MICAH FELDMAN AS CALIBAN Young Micah Feldman is appearing in our Shakespeare Showcase as Caliban, an enslaved monster. This is his 6th theatrical production, appearing in Aladdin, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Annie, Bye Bye Birdie, and an interpretation of the works of Dr. Seuss. While not on stage, Micah likes to rock climb, ride his bike, and hike through the woods right next to his home.

You can find Micah at JCDS Boston, playing chess at lunchtime with his friends. Micah would like to thank his beloved classmates for appearing with him in the JCDS Shakespeare Showcase!

MICAH GANN AS MACBETH Micah Gann was so excited when he heard he was going to be Macbeth.

This will be one of many plays for him, but his first Shakespeare play. His “hobbies”are piano, Minecraft, Forza Horizon 5, Gin Rummy, and Wii Sports.

He would like to thank his mom and dad for all that they did for me during the past 1 and a half months. He would also like to thank his friends, even though they did nothing.

DAVID GRANDEL AS TOM SNOUT/WALL David is very scared to play the Wall in our Shakespeare Showcase. He doesn’t want to mess up in front of so many people. This is David’s first time being in a play and performing in general. (Editor’s Note: except for all of the times he’s played live clarinet…he’s amazing!) When David is not on stage, he loves to play sports, eat sushi, and play video games. He wants to give a thank you to his teacher, Josh, who helped him overcome his fear.

LUKE KRAUS AS DUKE FREDERICK

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Luke is incredibly scared (Editor’s Note: no he isn’t) and excited (Editor’s Note: okay this one he is) to be in this year’s Shakespeare Showcase. Luke will be on stage for most of the play (Editor’s Note: no he won’t) and will imminently fumble all his lines (Editor’s Note: he won’t do this either). He will

stumble around (nope), trip on his words (seriously, Luke?) and make you, the audience laugh until you can’t laugh anymore! He’s just messing around, he will hopefully do great, and play his part as Duke Fredrick while the audience isn’t paying attention because they’re reading this bio right now. Thank you Josh for helping me produce this wonderful piece of Shakespearan art!

(Cute.)

ORI LISOGORSKY AS ROBIN STARVELING/MOONSHINE Ori is very nervous to do the play. He would like to thank his Israelis for mentally helping him through his challenges with Shakespeare.

ROSE NAUMBURG AS NICK BOTTOM/PYRAMUS Rose is very excited to be playing Bottom/Pyramus, although she is a bit sad that she will not be playing Lady Macbeth.That would annoy her sister (Frieda) greatly and Rose would find that hilarious and worth all the trouble.

This is Rose’s first play in her acting career, and probably her last. When not acting, Rose spends her time saving alternate universe versions of Earth, trying every flavor of ice cream known to humankind, and “annoying her friends greatly.” (Credit to Emma AG for that line.) Rose would like to thank the superior advisor (Josh), for casting her in an amazing role that has only improved because of her, and her sister who“helped Rose memorize her lines.” (Editor’s Note: Thanks, Frieda! Rose loves you!)

(Second Editor’s Note: Rose’s parents did NOT pay Josh to add in that first note.)

(Third Editor’s Note: yes they did.)

YON SCHINDEL AS SNUG/LION The lion is shy and every time that someone says lion he is really embarrassed. Maybe the lion looks very scary but for real the lion is gentle and friendly (like me) and you don’t need to be scared of him.

RUBY STEINBERG-WOLFE AS CELIA Ruby is thrilled to be playing Celia in this year’s Shakespeare Showcase!

Appearing previously in The Golden Apple, The Revolutionary War, and Highlights of The Princess Bride, this will be her fourth or fifth theater production. When not trying to become a famous actor, Ruby enjoys reading, drawing, planning, and being very dramatic! She would like to take this opportunity to thank her mom, dad, and sister, for helping her run lines,

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explaining words, and being overall supportive. I could never have gotten to where I am with my acting without them being there, backing me up!

MIRIAM STERN AS THE DOCTOR Miriam is very excited to feature in our Shakespeare Showcase. She will be playing the doctor, whose first name is “The” and last name is “Doctor.” She has previously been a watcher in the audience of many Shakespeare plays.

Miriam is thankful for the other actors in her scene, especially Yulie who plays Viola the Gentlewoman and Sylvia who plays Lady Macbeth. Miriam has starred in many shows before. So far she has been a waiter, a butler, Curly from Oklahoma, Willy Wonka, and many more characters. You may find her at JCDS Boston or playing soccer near Newton North High School. Thank you for coming to the JCDS Shakespeare production.

YULIE TIROSH AS GENTLEWOMAN Yulie is excited to play Viola the Gentlewoman in our Shakespeare Showcase.

Josh said she could give her character a name and she came up with the beautiful name Viola after a long search on Google for Shakespeare names.

This is her first and probably last Shakespeare play. When she is not Viola, Yulie enjoys admiring the color purple and playing Minecraft. Yulie feels she needs to thank her dog Daisy for all the moral support she has provided.

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JCDS CLASS OF 2024 SHAKESPEARE SHOWCASE Directed by Alissa Cordeiro + Joshua Mocle Make-Up by Liana Galper + Laila Fenton Special Thanks to: Jo-Ann Figueroa, Joanne Baker, Chera Garlick, Meg Lederman, Robert Neumann, Shari Levitz, Luiza Barreto, Rich Pozzi & Each and Every 6th Grade Parent!

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JCDS www.jcdsboston.org