Students Travel to Staunton for Production of Hamlet

The trip was sponsored by the Art Department to correspond with this year’s Fall Play, Bernhardt/Hamlet, which will be staged in November. The group was also introduced to the Staunton Augusta Art Center and its exhibition of contemporary portraits by Andrew Davis called “LAUGHING PICTURE,” and enjoyed spending time in downtown Staunton.

“Staunton is a lovely town; I enjoyed listening to the cellist while eating lunch, shopping in the downtown shops, and was entranced by the production. I’d like to do this trip every year,” said Ms. Valerie Doucette, English teacher and trip chaperone.

The production of Hamlet, put on in a replica of a Shakespearean theater, delighted all of the attendees, including several students who are a part of the Fall Play ensemble. 

“The costuming, energy, and moments of both humor and heartbreak were stunning,” said Catherine Nichols ‘24. “The performance was an inspiration for all of us in fall theatre, and seeing the unique ways that the actors brought Hamlet to life was very exciting. My fellow actors and I were all very moved by the end of the show.”

“It was a truly wonderful experience to be able to see such a unique interpretation of Hamlet. Every detail from the costumes to the performance itself is a reminder of how stories constantly reform themselves to adapt to new times,” said Meaghan Kress ‘24. “I thought the gender-bending of the characters and the emphasis on the humor of the scenes was absolutely brilliant, and it made the play so much more fun to watch as new life was imbued to the characters. I enjoyed every moment!”

The opportunity to see a live production of Hamlet was serendipitous considering this year’s Fall Play selection. Bernhardt/Hamlet follows Sarah Bernhardt, an actress in the 1890s on a mission to perform Hamlet as the titular role. Upon finding out that the ASC’s production in Staunton would be led by a woman, just like the play-within-a-play in Bernhardt/Hamlet, the actors and director jumped at the opportunity to see it. 

“I was thrilled that a bunch of my actors could observe the professional technique involved in live theatre. They’ve been chomping at the bit to engage the insights they gained in rehearsals since we returned to campus,” said Mr. Cameron Ayres, Fall Play director.

“Even though I have read the play, I had never been able to see Hamlet performed live until now. Watching how the cast worked with line delivery, movement, and costuming was phenomenal and gave me inspiration on how to work with the Hamlet scenes for Bernhardt/Hamlet,” said Sophia Taylor ‘24, who is set to play Bernhardt (and therefore Hamlet) when the show is performed on campus on Nov. 3 & 4. 

The Chatham Hall actors have taken inspiration from the professional performance, and all attendees enjoyed experiencing the world of both performing and visual arts.