Duke Drama's production of William Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure," opening tonight in Sheafer Theater, offers more than an evening of theater-going.
The production is the first piece of classical drama presented by the drama program since the spring of 1992, when Professor John Clum directed "Cymbeline." The inclusion of a Shakespearean work in the University's 1994-95 theater season offers drama students a highly valuable opportunity to receive classical theater training, which is considered essential for applying to graduate schools in drama.
Most of the top graduate schools include a piece of classical theater in their audition requirements, said Richard Riddell, director of the drama program.
"You definitely, absolutely have to have it on [a resume]," said Joyce Josephy, an admissions officer at the Yale School of Drama. "It's not specific to a policy, but it's a very good feature to one's dramatic range and tells a lot about what a person may be able to go on to do."
Classical training also proves helpful in landing acting jobs, as many drama professors claim that Shakespearean theater is highly popular with American audiences. Regional theaters in particular are inclined to stage a good amount of classical works, Riddell said.
"Summer stock programs and summer programs at drama schools are mostly Shakespeare," Josephy said. Devon Allen, an instructor in Duke's drama program and director of "Measure for Measure," added, "Shakespeare festivals are always the best sellouts."
A drama student can, however, succeed without classical training or experience, some said.
"The people in our class have a really wide range of experience. Some never picked up Shakespeare before coming here," said Matt Daniels, a third-year student in Julliard's graduate program in drama. "In applying to schools, the consideration is more on the potential you have with a number of different texts."
Classical theater, nevertheless, is considered important because it demonstrates a mastery of language and text.
"Working in verse is something that really has to be mastered," said Trinity senior Tamara Kissane, who plays the lead female role in "Measure for Measure."
"It helps your acting immensely if you can get past the verse and get your character to come through the text," she said.
But many drama students at Duke stress that their desire to perform Shakespeare stems from personal preferences and not professional gain.
"All drama majors take a semester of classical acting, and to be able to apply that is a very rewarding opportunity," said Trinity senior Kendra Myers, stage manager of "Measure for Measure." "Still, if I had not done Cymbeline,' I probably would have tried forMeasure for Measure."'
Drama students and faculty said they hope to include classical drama in their theater seasons more often, with many estimating that one classical piece performed every two years as sufficient.
"In a place that's supposed to be educating you in drama and theater, you have to have that [frequency]," Kissane said.
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