The Society
The
Society was originally created for the "systematic study of Shakespeare for mental development." 125
years after its founding, the society still holds true to its mission. With 20-35
members, each semester, the society puts on the production of a play by the famous
bard. Everything about the show, from the acting and directing to the costuming
and lights, is done by the members and performed in the Tudor house
owned by the Shakespeare Society Alumnae. In addition, the society holds two other events where entertainment and Shakespeare come together. In the fall, other students, faculty, and visitors can see the women of the society perform frightening and gruesome scenes from different plays in the spirit of Halloween as they tour the house. Again in the Spring, the society forms small troupes of players to perform comic scenes of Bill's work in a similar tour.
The society also tries to keep a relationship with the faculty of Wellesley and the alumnae of the society. Once a semester, selected faculty are invited to join the members in the Shakespeare house for a gathering with light refreshments. Every fall the society commemorates St. Crispin's day with dawn readings of Henry V and each April the women celebrate the bard's birthday with lunch and reading of a play with alumnae.
Women join the society for lots of different reasons. Some are genuine Shakespeare fanatics. Others just enjoy acting or love to have an audience. Some are more interested in the technical aspects of theatre like set, light, and costume design. And all are just looking for a fun bunch of women to spend some time with. New members are selected at the begining of the semester through an application process called, "teas." These women join a tradion and comraderie over one hundred years old.- Provider name - mdaley@wellesley.edu
- Created: October 1, 2004
- Last Modified: September 6, 2007
