The Northwest Mississippi College Department of Fine Arts Theatre Presents "The Merchant of Venice"

by Sarah Smith

Senatobia, MS (03/28/2023) — The Northwest Mississippi College Department of Fine Arts is proud to announce its steampunk Victorian style portrayal of William Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice," on the Northwest Fine Arts stage March 30 - April 2.

Performance times for the show are Thursday, March 30, Friday, March 31, Saturday, April 1 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 2 at 2 p.m. admission is free to students and $5 dollars for general admission.

"The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare is about mercy, prejudice, friendship, wealth, revenge, and self-interest. The play is directed by Alyssa Algee, Director of Theatre at Northwest Community College.

"To tell you what the show is about in a nutshell - it's about prejudice," Algee said. "It's the story of a man who is prejudiced against another and takes advantage of a weakness to exact a cruel penalty, but that penalty then gets turned around on him proving the prejudice never wins out."

Austin Kraft of Southaven, sophomore studying theatre at Northwest, describes the character he plays, Bassanio, as a "respectable, somewhat distinguished young man who has lived far beyond his means."

Kraft explained that as with all the characters in "The Merchant of Venice," Bassanio has a lot of development to do, particularly regarding his selfish side.

"He's a pretend gentleman, to simply put it," Kraft said. "He acts confident in his stance, and it is because of that he gets what he desires."

The show is perfect for people who likes law and courtroom dramas according to Kraft, due to its dramatic nature.

Summer Watson, a sophomore studying musical theatre here at Northwest, plays Portia. Watson described the show as a romantic dramedy with fervor. Watson encouraged audiences to come with an open mind because the story is interesting and "worth it."

"It entails fighting for what you want, and saving the ones you love, even if it means dressing as a man," Watson said.

Cast and crew members are Spencer McGraw of Batesville as Shylock; Blane Cleveland of Coldwater as Antonio; Austin Kraft of Southaven as Bassanio; Summer Watson of Hernando as Portia; Elizabeth B. Phillips of Hernando as Nerissa; Dylan Bailey of Senatobia as Gratiano; Elizabeth Cobb of Sardis as Jessica; Wesley Sarton of Hernando as Lorenzo; Davis Jackson of Southaven as Launcelot; Sophia Carpenter of Olive Branch as Salanio, she is also doing hair & makeup; Donovan Doss of Bruce as Prince of Arragon; Jacquavious Johnson of Olive Branch as Prince of Morocco; Daniel Davis of Hernando as Balthasar/Stephano; Callyn May of Hernando is tubal/Asst. stage manager/costume design; Canaan Dulin of Coldwater as bard/music composition; Elizabeth B. Phillips of Hernando is doing hair & makeup; Savannah Flores of Brandon as stage director; Drew Hamby of Courtland as Lightboard Operator; Nelson Meredith as Salanio/Old Gobbo; Kayla Manzolillo, Theatre Instructor, as Duke of Venice; Alyssa Algee, Theatre Instructor, as director/scene director/lighting design; Wanda Phillips and Elizabeth Phillips are doing costume design.

Tickets are available for purchase in advance online through northwestms.edu/tickets for $5 dollars each, or if you're a student you get free admission with your student ID.

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