Codman Acadeny students go through their paces at the Huntington-Codman Summer Theatre Institute.
“Life’s but a walking shadow – a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage.”
Poor Macbeth! By the end of Shakespeare’s nightmarish tragedy, he is pretty pessimistic about life. In contrast, cast members of the Codman Academy, who are in final rehearsals for the “Scottish play,” are really excited about “strutting their hour” on the Calderwood Pavilion stage.
Mattapan resident Demetrious Moore-Tolbert, who plays the title character, is a third-time participant in the Huntington-Codman Summer Theatre Institute (HCSTI), which is sponsoring the upcoming production featuring an ensemble of Dorchester and Mattapan teens.
Moore-Tolbert reflects: “Each summer I have grown more comfortable with being in front of crowds. It is an honor to play characters — putting myself into people’s shoes makes me humble. I try to apply the same lessons that I have learned in these stories to my everyday life. Life is much easier when your eyes are open to seeing its intricacies.”
Next Thursday and Friday, The Huntington Theatre Company and Codman Academy Charter Public School’s ten-year collaboration will culminate in two public performances of the Bard’s “Macbeth.”
Through the four-week program, Codman Academy students explore the full theatrical process, extending lessons from the school year in literacy, teamwork, and priority setting. Over the past 10 years the HCSTI has become a valuable resource to Codman students. Additionally, the Summer Theatre Institute is a free program for teens, and students are paid a modest stipend for participating in the program. To celebrate the 10th year of this program, past Summer Theatre Institute participants have been invited to attend the July 30 performance.
“What I love most about Shakespeare is how frighteningly honest he is in his observations of human behavior,” says Huntington’s manager of education operations and “Macbeth” director Meg O’Brien. “With “Macbeth,” we are going to explore ambition and power, the various types of love, and the fragility of man’s moral compass. Shakespeare’s work is an incredible tool for young people to explore these themes and issues within themselves. With “Macbeth” specifically, we’ll do so with large doses of witchcraft, stage combat, and poetry.”
Dorchester’s Jayrelle Fairweather (rising junior, playing Macduff, the actual “good guy” of the play), agrees with O’Brien. “Rehearsing with my friends is fun and exciting because we get to come together and become one ensemble. Last year when we did “Julius Caesar” there was a lot of action, but with “Macbeth,” it’s going to be more exciting. Trust me!”
Preparing to present a masterpiece of literature is both very demanding and very rewarding, according to another Dot cast member, Antoinette Webster (rising sophomore, playing Ross). “Rehearsal can be both fun and stressful at the same time. Doing this play helps me grow my mindset, and I’m really starting to understand Shakespeare.”
Joining Moore-Tolbert in representing Mattapan is Tashiana Charles, who plays Lady Macduff/Hecate. Other Dorchester residents in the ensemble include Cheyenne Harris (Servant/Messenger); Marshall Harrison (Donalbain), Ariel Mullings-Bent (Siward), Daysha Murray (Banquo), Tia Murray (First Murderer), Lantanya Simpson (Second Witch/Doctor), Miriam Unaegbu (Fleance) and Shermiah Woods (First Witch/Macduff’s Son/Seyton).
The public is invited to the free performances on Thurs., July 30, and Fri., July 31, at 7 p.m. at the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts.
