SENIOR HAS MUCH TO DO WITH STAGING “MUCH ADO”
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April 4, 2002, Bloomfield, NJ -- Senior Kellei Cosby will certainly have much to do when the Bloomfield College Shakespeare Performers Club presents “Much Ado About Nothing” during the weekends of April 5th and 12th. A Creative Arts & Technology major with a video/performance concentration, Cosby is not only performing in a leading role, but she is also directing and producing the show. While all of the work can be overwhelming at times, Cosby said she was determined to stage this production. |
“I love acting and I wanted to be around it in college. There weren’t any student productions being done, so I decided to do my own,” she said.
Cosby quickly learned that it would be easier to get financial backing as an official organization, so she formed the Shakespeare Performers Club last year and became its president. “Much Ado About Nothing” is the club’s first show, and it’s also Cosby’s directorial debut.
“I’m very excited and also very nervous. This is my first time ever directing a full-length play,” said Cosby. “I do feel like a rookie sometimes and I do miss being directed by someone else. But I’ve learned a lot. I’m 22 years old and I’ve been acting since I was 4 years old, so I know I’m ready. I’m extremely proud of the cast. They’ve worked hard for so many months.”
Cosby said she has always wanted to stage a Shakespearean play, although it took a while to decide which show to produce.
“I performed in a one-act Shakespearean play in high school and I loved it,” said Cosby. “Originally, I wanted to do ‘MacBeth,’ but there were so many parts for men and not enough female parts. In the back of my mind, I kept thinking about ‘Much Ado’ and thought this is the play I’m supposed to do.”
“Much Ado About Nothing” is one of Shakespeare's better-known comedies. Centered around two romances - Hero (Cecilea Sarmadi) and Claudio (David Quinones), and Benedick (Raymond Vazquez) and Beatrice (Kellei Cosby) - the story follows these very different courtships. For Hero and Claudio, it's love at first sight and, as with any immediate attraction, they have a lot to learn about each other. Beatrice and Benedick, on the other hand, have known each other for quite some time and it takes a little none-too-subtle prodding from their friends to help them realize and admit their feelings.
Performances will be held in the Robert V. Van Fossan Theatre on April 5, 6, 12 and 13 at 8 p.m., April 7 at 6 p.m., and April 14 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 and are available by calling 973-760-4599.
The Robert V. Van Fossan Theatre is part of the Westminster Arts Center at Bloomfield College, and is located on the corner of Franklin and Fremont Streets. Bloomfield College is easily accessible from the Garden State Parkway, Exit 148 from the South or Exit 149 from the North.
