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PROVIDENCE, RI – April 22, 2009:  It’s Shakespeare like you’ve never seen it before as All Children’s Theatre puts on this one of a kind performance that takes you from the world of yesterday to modern day with the help of the ACT Ensemble’s re-written masterpiece.  Twelfth Night will be performing at the Vartan Gregorian School located at 455 Wickenden Street, Providence this May 1, 2, 8, 9 at 7pm.  Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling (401) 728-1222 or at the door.  This show is appropriate for all ages.  Entrance is located on East Street.  Free parking.

Taking on the world of Shakespeare can be a daunting task for even the most experienced actor, let alone a group of teens; but that’s exactly what the All Children’s Theatre Ensemble has done with a bang.  Not only will they be performing the traditional Shakespearian version, the Ensemble will showcase their own version of the classic tale that they have collaboratively re-written to help the audience gain better understanding.  “Shakespeare becomes a foreign language to many; the main population just doesn’t often get it.  What we wanted to do was make it understandable – it’s really cool to make it relevant to a modern audience,” stated Sam Adrain, ACT Ensemble member.  “I think we did an awesome job with it.  This was a huge challenge to not only take on one play, but to completely re-write a whole new script that was totally our own.  We’re all very excited about it.”

Directed by Matt Kiely, this is one of ACT’s largest shows this season with an over 26-member cast.  “The challenge we had was that it was just so time consuming.  Some of these kids are reading Shakespeare for the first time.  They’ve done a lot of homework because if the actors don’t get it, the audience certainly won’t,” said Kiely.  “I was surprised that the actual re-writing of the play wasn’t as hard.  Everyone was respectful of each other’s ideas and it really came together.  They did such a great job and I’m really impressed with the level of talent and ability these kids have.”  The ACT performance will begin with a traditional performance of Twelfth Night followed by the re-written version, which will take the audience to the somewhat modern day of a 1980’s prom.  This whimsical and hilarious take on this classic play will not only be entertaining but surely enlightening as these students show not only their acting skills, but their playwriting skills as well.

All Children’s Theatre is an award winning non-profit youth theatre for children 4 – 18 celebrating its 21st season of providing quality theatre education, entertainment and a school for drama.  ACT is committed to a theatre arts environment that promotes empowerment of all children by offering a ‘total theatre experience’ with educational classes for youth ages 4 – 18, an award-winning ACTing Ensemble for youth ages 8 – 18 and a Summer Theatre Academy for youth ages 4 -18.  For more information, please call (401) 728-1222 or visit www.actinri.org. 

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