Gordon State College Presents The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)

Gordon State College and its community of theatre enthusiasts will host its first “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)” show at the GSC Amphitheater. The event will take place on Wednesday, November 3 through Saturday, Nov 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. The event is open to the public with free admission for GSC employees and students with proper ID, $10 for general public, $7 for seniors and $5 for anyone under 12 years of age.

“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)” is a PG, PG-13 comedy wherein three actors and a small ensemble of Kazoo players, known as a Ka-zemble, adeptly perform all of Shakespeare’s 37 plays in two acts. It’s a performance for all ages who enjoy humor, nonsense and irreverence toward Shakespeare.

“You don’t need to know Shakespeare to understand this play,” said Lisa Cesnik-Ferguson, GSC Associate Professor and Director of Theatre. “It’s broad and silly with sight-gags a plenty.”

The show is designed by GSC Associate Professor of Theatre, Tony Pearson and costume designer, Amanda Edgerton, who is returning to GSC from Atlanta, Georgia. Direction is by Cesnik-Ferguson and football choreography by Gordon Alumnus, Jacob Rivera. Fight choreography is by Larry Stoermer, GSC fine and performing arts. Kazoo ensemble, also known as a “Ka-zemble,” and sound effects are by Dr. Jessica Traylor, GSC Assistant Professor of Psychology, Stoermer and Justin Valentine, GSC fine and performing arts. Performers include theatre enthusiasts Hampton Calhoun, Jules Brown, Rivera, Austin Richard and Timothy Morris.

Performers are pre-professional students that have been rehearsing more than 15 hours a week since August 2021. Attendees are welcome to bring their own blankets, lawn chairs, stadium seats and snacks.

“We consider ourselves your allies in well-being and must say, you deserve this silly play,” Cesnik-Ferguson said. “Belly laughing is good. Because people, we need to laugh.”