Jose Rodriguez EDINBURG – The UTRGV Theatre Department will perform, The Book of Will starting March 5. The story’s of William Shakespeare’s friends trying to recover and preserve his work for future generations.
Sabrina Rodriguez, The Book of Will director and UTRGV alumni, said rehearsal productions started in December before Winter break and she organized activities and games for the cast and crew to “play well.”
Rodriguez said she values the cast’s self-care, as the themes of the play deal with sensitive topics.
“We don’t want anyone to take all of that back home after our rehearsal. So, we have gentle reminders all the way throughout just to take care of ourselves and the cast members as well.” Rodriguez said.
Behind the scenes is David Zavala, a lighting designer, who said working on the set required collaboration with directors and cast members to set up the mood and feeling of a scene.
“It starts off with me trying to read you through the script and find out what does the script look like visually,” Zavala said. “I want that all to kind of amplify everything that’s inside the script. So, you know, it just creates a much more visually interesting experience.”
He said that he appreciated the work of William Shakespeare and the medium of theatre, as it is important to him that Shakespeare deserves more recognition.
Actors Jack Robertson and Isaak Garza play lead the roles John Heminges and Henry Condell, Shakespeare’s friends. They struggle to search for their dead friend’s work and create Shakespeare’s first folio.
Both Robertson and Garza prepared for their roles through repetition in the script and understanding the subtext behind their lines. With themes of death, tragedy and mourning, there is an emphasis on family and legacy throughout the play.
“Lean on your friends. Lean on your family. I know a lot of people today are really being individualistic, but I really think that a re-emphasis on the family unit is very important today,” Robertson said.
“I think the fast paced and witty dialogue and writing has been such a great challenge to try and uphold because as you act through it, you just have to live through the natural, funny moments,” Garza said.
Showtimes will run from March 5-8 at the Albert L. Jeffers Theatre on the Edinburg campus.
Tickets are available online and at the box office for $7 for UTRGV students, staff and faculty. For non-UTRGV members and the public, tickets will be $17.
