SUNY Oneonta Students Featured in Theatre Department's "The Tempest"

Twenty-six SUNY Oneonta students were involved in the Theatre Department's production of "The Tempest," the final production of the fall 2024 semester. "The Tempest," written by William Shakespeare, features the King of Naples and his followers after being cast ashore on a desert island by a violent storm.

"There are so many story elements included in this production," said show director and Professor of Acting and Directing Andrew Kahl. "There are moments of spectacle and magic, rich poetic language, political intrigue, physical comedy and a sweet love story. Getting all the pieces together in a cohesive production felt like a meaningful challenge. Working with our professional guest artist, MaConnia Chesser, was an honor and privilege for our faculty and students."

Chesser was the Theatre Department's artist-in-residence for the fall 2024 semester and played Prospero, the protagonist in "The Tempest." The artist appeared in the performance courtesy of the Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

SUNY Oneonta's production of "The Tempest" was a joint performance made possible by Theatre Department faculty and staff, and students from the Mask and Hammer Club. Rehearsals began this semester in September with cast and crew exploring the text and playing through the scenes to make sense of relationships and character intentions. Full-stage rehearsal for "The Tempest" began shortly after Chesser joined the cast in early October.

"The play offered design and production challenges, including the spectacle of a storm at sea that opens the play and moments of depicted magic that will challenge our sound, light and scenic designers," said Kahl. "The island setting needed to be mutable, changing based on the characters' perceptions on stage from an inviting tropical paradise to an ominous or dangerous place. At the center of it all lies the play's language and actors' capacity to decode, express and embody the meanings and intentions of the characters so that the audience can fully understand the play."