Imogen Says Nothing: A Deep Dive into the UCF Production
"Imogen Says Nothing" is a play commissioned by Yale Repertory Theater that made its Theatre UCF debut. The play, written by Aditi Brennan Kapil, centers around the character of Imogen from Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing."
The Play's Premise
The play reimagines Imogen as a bear in disguise as a human who comes to London to shake up the lives of a theatre troupe, turning their idea of what it means to be a human on its head. Imogen challenges the rules of society and fights against what is expected of her; today, we might take a page from Imogen’s rule book and fight for our own place at the table. The play is a contemporary comedy featuring Imogen, a character who only appears in the First Folio of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, speaks no lines, and is probably a typo. Aditi Kapil’s bold and irreverent comedy tells the tale of an unforgettable woman in Elizabethan England who seizes the chance to break boundaries by participating in a performance traditionally reserved solely for men. As she takes the stage, the lines between identity and reality blur, especially since Imogen is also a bear. Imogen Says Nothing is a riotous exploration of empowerment and the enduring quest for visibility, ensuring that Imogen’s voice will be heard loud and clear.
Setting and Language
While Imogen Says Nothing was written recently, the story takes place during late 1500s and early 1600s, a time when English was a bit different to how we use it today. Scholars call it "Early Modern English," compared to Modern English. The majority of the play is written in a modern dialect of English, but there are moments in the text that call to mind the earlier dialect of days gone by that we hear when we attend Elizabethan and Jacobean plays. A dialect is a version of a language and includes the words we use, the way words are ordered, the way words are formed, and the way they are pronounced. Today, we're used to having some standardization of speech used in public spaces like educational institutions and theatres. But at the time, English had not been standardized yet! So speakers in the public sphere would have many differences in accent and pronunciation that revealed speakers' backgrounds and life experiences. And what might be most surprising today is how people sounded! While we clearly don't have recorded evidence, scholars have worked on reconstructing the sound systems that were likely heard in the late 1500s. For the dialects in Imogen Says Nothing, we're using The Oxford Dictionary of Original Shakespearean Pronunciation by David Crystal as a reference. Instead of sounding like modern Londoners, who drop their R's and pronounce "caught" and "court" exactly the same (!), Imogen and company might sound slightly more like modern Irish or American speakers of English!
UCF Production Team
The Theatre UCF production involved a diverse and talented team of students, faculty, and staff. Here's a glimpse into the key players:
- Faculty:
- Intimacy Choreographer: Michael D.
- Cast:
- Vanessa Arocha (U/S Bear on Ice/Anna Roos) is a freshman in the BFA Acting program.
- Miguel Cabrera (Nicholas Tooley/Fluffy 2) is a BFA Musical Theatre program freshman.
- William Fuller (U/S John Hemings, U/S Ned Whiting) is a First Year in the BFA Acting program.
- Ger Grandfield (Henry Condell) is a first-year MFA in Acting candidate.
- Elliott Horwitz (William Shakespeare/Warden) is a second-year in the BFA Acting Program.
- Faith Klick (U/S Imogen) is a first year student in the MFA Acting Program.
- Aidan Langford (Alexander Cooke/Fluffy 1) is a senior in the Theatre Studies program and B.S. Biology program with a Marine and Aquatics track.
- Rebecca Low (Imogen) is a first-year MFA Acting student.
- Joshua Martinez (John Heminges/Ned Whiting) is a 1st year in the MFA Acting program at UCF.
- Athan Miller (U/S William Shakespeare/Warden) is a freshman in the BFA Musical Theatre program.
- Branden Monge (U/S Alexander Cooke/U/S Fluffy 1) is a freshman in the BFA Acting Program.
- Jake Perez (U/S Nicholas Tooley/Fluffy 2) is a Second-Year Transfer student in the BFA Acting Program.
- Tomas Principe (U/S RICHARD BURBAGE, U/S HARRY HUNKS, U/S VOICE 3) is a first-year transfer student in the Acting BFA program.
- Tabitha Santillan (Bear on Ice/Anna Roos) is a senior in the BFA Acting Program.
- Lincoln Stone (Richard Burbage/Harry Hunks) is a first-year student in the MFA Acting program.
- Crew:
- Sayada Ali-Khan (Deck Crew) is a senior transfer student in the B.A. Theatre Studies program.
- Julian Amores (Deck Crew) is a First-Year in the BFA Musical Theatre Program.
- Ethan Cabral (Stage Manager) is a second year in the BFA Stage Manager Program at UCF.
- Freddy Cycholl (Production Assistant, Automation Operator) is a first year in the BFA Stage Management program.
- Marisa Figueras (Production Stage Manager) is a third year in the BFA Stage Management program.
- Odalys Lopez (Stage Manager) is a second-year in the BFA Stage Management program.
- Veronica McGrath (Wardrobe Crew) is a first year transfer student in the BFA Design Tech program.
- Lila McMorris (Wardrobe Supervisor) is a second year in the BFA SM program.
- Emily Picantine (Deck Crew) in the BA Theater pending program.
- Mia Rojas (Deck Crew) is a second-year in the B.A. Theatre Studies program.
- Mylka Rosado Ortiz (Board Operator) is a First Year in the BFA Stage Management Program.
- Savanah Schaller (Stage Manager) is a second year transfer in the BFA Stage Management program.
- Shamara Tubbs (Wardrobe crew) is a first year transfer student in the B.A. program.
- Dramaturg: Erin Osborne
Cast and Crew Backgrounds
The cast and crew brought a wealth of experience and talent to the production. Many were making their Theatre UCF debuts, while others had extensive backgrounds in theatre, music, and other creative fields.
Read also: Community Rejoices Over Safe Return
- Actors: The cast included students from various BFA programs (Acting, Musical Theatre) and MFA programs, showcasing a range of experience levels. Some cast members had previous roles in well-known productions such as "Rent," "Chicago," "Sweeney Todd," and "The Addams Family."
- Understudies: The production had a comprehensive understudy system, ensuring that all roles could be covered in case of an absence.
- Crew: The crew consisted of students from the BFA Stage Management program, B.A. Theatre Studies program, and BFA Design Tech program. They had experience in various aspects of theatre production, including stage management, wardrobe, deck crew, and board operation.
January in Orlando: A Hub of Cultural Events
The UCF production of "Imogen Says Nothing" took place in January, a month packed with diverse events in Orlando. Here's a glimpse of the cultural landscape:
- Arts and Culture: The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, various art exhibitions at the Orlando Museum of Art and the Mennello Museum of American Art, and theatrical productions at Orlando Shakes and Renaissance Theatre.
- Holiday Events: The Enchanted Tree Forest, Ice at Gaylord Palms Resort, Magic of Lights Daytona, Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa, and SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration.
- Other Events: Mecum Kissimmee (a collector car auction), Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, and events celebrating Martin Luther King Day Jr. and Three Kings Day.
Student Involvement and Project Spotlight
Many students involved in "Imogen Says Nothing" were also active in other organizations at UCF, such as Project Spotlight and Alpha Psi Omega. Project Spotlight is UCF’s developmental theatre company, providing students with opportunities to create and showcase their work. Alpha Psi Omega is a theatre fraternity that supports and promotes theatre arts at UCF.
Read also: The Bible and the Pursuit of Knowledge
Read also: About NCEES Verification
tags: #Imogen #Says #Nothing #UCF #history
