The Community College of Rhode Island Players present Summer Repertory Series

The Community College of Rhode Island Players will present their first annual Summer Repertory series at the Knight Campus this summer. They will perform two Shakespeare plays, Twelfth Night or What You Will and The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, the first in July presented in the Bobby Hackett Theater, and the second in August presented in Room 0540. The plays will feature current CCRI students, CCRI alumni, a number of prospective CCRI students who are still attending high school, and a few outside guest artists.

The program was established to give CCRI students the opportunity to experience the world of "summer stock" theatre, in which productions are developed for a summertime audience in a condensed time frame. Associate Producer and CCRI Players Vice President Victoria Ezikovich says, "There are already countless opportunities for CCRI Theatre students to learn about all elements of production during our existing annual season. With this new addition to our season we look forward to taking our professional training to the next level. This program allows us to, in an educational setting, experience the reality of being a Working Theatre artist." Each play will be rehearsed for two weeks, followed by a week of technical rehearsals, and then a short run. "We're really looking forward to presenting these two wonderful Shakespeare plays to audiences this summer," says Producer and CCRI Players President Trey Hendley, "and beginning what we hope will become a tradition of summer theatre at CCRI."

The project also serves as a recruiting tool for the Performing Arts Department in the hopes of increasing enrollment in the Associate of Fine Arts in Theatre program. During late spring a "recruiting team" of past and present CCRI Theatre students visited Rhode Island high schools to present scene work and engage in a dialogue with students who are actively involved in the theatre regarding CCRI's Theatre program. Cranston West Drama teacher Nancy Vitulli described the visit as a "wonderful opportunity for our students to see and hear from others who share a passion for theater." Several high school students who attended these talks auditioned and were cast in the show, and a number of students who are more focused on technical theatre will serve as run crew and board operators.

"Our partners in the Music Program have been presenting a summertime musical revue entitled 'Hello Broadway!' for almost a decade with fantastic success," says CCRI Theatre Program Coordinator Ted Clement. "We look forward to expanding this tradition of summertime performing arts at the Community College of Rhode Island. We believe this program will be an invaluable learning opportunity for our students, and a great asset to the community at large."

Twelfth Night or What You Will

July 20th, 21st, 22nd at 7:30pm

July 23rd at 2:00pm

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

August 10th, 11th, 12th at 7:30pm

August 13th at 2:00pm

CCRI Knight Campus, 400 East Avenue, Warwick, RI

General Admission $12

Students, Seniors, Faculty & Staff $10

For reservations call (401) 825-2219