This year, even more so than in years past, the Drama Department has flipped the script for the fall play. Normally, it involves a large cast of students filling up the stage with elaborate sets. This year, however, there will be two casts each consisting of only three students as they race through all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays. Rest assured though, “The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)” is anything but your typical Shakespearean reenactment.
“It’s really silly… Shrimp, dinosaurs, swords, football [and] rapping, all explaining Shakespeare’s plays,” drama director Renae Hubbard said.
“For the students,” appears to be the motto for this year’s fall play with cast members stressing that the language of the play is accessible to students and provides something for everyone in attendance. In essence, if you love Shakespeare, you’ll love this play. If you hate Shakespeare, you’ll love this play.
“Shakespeare can be a big turn off for people, but I think with this show especially it’s more comedy [so it’s more enjoyable],” senior student director Ryann Perry said.
Comedy cannot be stressed enough when talking about this show. The scenes are downright silly, with lots of costume changes and props to build up the simple set dressing.
“You have to be like the Energizer bunny for this show,” senior Caroline Hoover said.

Double casting, or having two different casts for the same play, has never been done before at West, but was necessary this year to give as many people as possible the opportunity to perform. Each cast has put their own spin on the play; although the story is the same for both, the different versions of the play are overall very different, giving students even more reason to come see the play multiple times.
“I have always wanted to do this [play] and I was waiting for a Shakespeare year… but I was also waiting for people with impeccable comedic timing,” Hubbard said.
Cast A, student directed by Ryann Perry, includes Caroline Hoover, Noah Cantrell and Jenna Emling. They will be performing on Wednesday Nov. 15 and Friday Nov. 17. Cast B, student directed by Riley Womer, includes Sam Brandon, Chadwick Holmes and Garrytt Ard. Cast B will perform on Thursday Nov. 16 and Saturday Nov. 18. All shows will be at 7 p.m. in the APAC and tickets will be $5 at the door. Unlike previous years, there will be no student rush for this production.
“There’s no good way to explain [Abridged],” Womer said. “You just have to come see to understand.”