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| 11/13/2008 3:21:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| Blair High students Dan Stier, Denae Schindler, Lauren Huston, Jesse Wohlman and Allen Heffelfinger take a first look at this year's Twelfth Night script. |
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Twelfth Night 2009: Pirate's booty needed
Melissa Rice
Assistant Editor
Long after the Thanksgiving turkey has met his end, and the Christmas goose or ham has disappeared, another feast looms on the horizon.
In the middle of Blair, in an old school gymnasium, the great hall of a medieval English lord takes shape. Lavish decorations, a multi-course meal, traditional music and revelry will make for an unforgettable evening: Twelfth Night.
Now in its ninth year, the event got its humble start when Blair High School teacher Karen Grinberg approached local caterer Paula Jaworski and made a simple request: Could Jaworski create a dinner as an "enrichment project" for Grinberg's advanced placement English students?
Jaworski said yes, but it would take her three years to do enough research, pulling together resources and recipes and background information, to do the project justice.
"It was fun, and we wanted to do it again, but we thought it could be better, could be 'more,'" recalls Jaworski.
At that point, Jaworski and Grinberg decided to "script" the evening.
Using the script from "A Madrigal Dinner" as the basis, the evening was reworked to include a bunch of revelers as "party crashers." In mid-feast, a group of rowdies arrives in the great hall to challenge the lord and his court: who can provide the best entertainment?
The evening typically includes drama selections from Shakespeare, lavish costumes, period music, the authentic Twelfth Night meal, and, always a crowd favorite, swordfighting.
This year's event will be no exception. But while last year's theme included a Scottish tie-in, complete with bagpipes, kilts and Border Reivers, this year features a new theme: pirates.
"I think the idea for the theme may have originally stemmed from a performance of pirate actors/dancers at a Renaissance Fair," said Grinberg. "But after we ordered and read books on the subject during the past year, Paula and I wanted students to recognize the surprising role that piracy played in the national economy and global market of Shakespeare's Day."
Jaworski explained research had uncovered an Irish pirate during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The twist? The pirate was female.
"Grace O'Malley was an Irish pirate who captained her own ship and had a crew of 200 men," Jaworski said. "That was very unusual. She did it and did it very successfully, and died an old woman in her own bed."
O'Malley's story will be woven into this year's presentation, which will also be tied into Shakespeare's "The Tempest." And, as in year's past, the evening will transport the audience directly into the past.
But the project doesn't come without a cost, and Twelfth Night will require a pirate's booty to make it float.
Jaworski said last year's production cost upward of $21,000. Although a school enrichment project, no funds come from the school. Instead, ticket prices cover approximately half the cost, while corporate and individual sponsors help with the rest. And, in the past, whatever is left at the end is picked up by two final "sponsors" Ð typically, Jaworski and Grinberg themselves.
There are a number of reasons for the high price tag. While the tickets cover a portion of the cost, Jaworski said that is usually just enough to cover the cost of the three-course meal.
The food is all prepared by Jaworski and a handful of volunteers. Last year's meal included pork loin with orange sauce, tenderloin of beef roasted with herbs, salmon filet with spinach dressing, game pie, beef carbonnade, spicy sausage meatballs, a wide variety of vegetables, sides and fruits, and concluded with a decadent dessert course, including cookies, sweetmeats and Twelfth Night cake.
"Sometimes people say 'she must be making lots of money on this'," Jaworski said, referring to herself. "No. It's something we do because it's good for the kids, and it's worth doing."
She said the positive response they receive from the students is evidence, as is the fact that so many students who have performed with Twelfth Night come back and perform or assist, long after graduation.
"Three, four or even five years later, they are still helping," Jaworski said.
Along with the meal, there are other expenses: the cost of renting Central Court for an entire week; the cost to rent period costumes; and the cost of printing invitations and programs, among others.
The expense also includes in-depth education enrichment programs. Jaworski notes these are conducted by area artists and scholars who work with students in the areas of art, literature, Shakespearean language, drama/theatrical history, vocal and instrumental music, swordplay and fencing, and Renaissance dancing.
"Twelfth Night does not receive school funds for the event, and that is as it should be," notes Jaworski. "The event is not an essential part of the curriculum and taxpayer money should not be used to fund it. That is why we need so many volunteers and donations to make the event a reality."
For those who are interested in sponsoring the event, special recognition is given at specific "giving levels." All sponsors are acknowledged in the evening's program. Donors at the $2,500 level and up are noted as "Grand Duke and Duchess," $1,000 to $2,500 are "Duke and Duchess," $500 to $1,000 are " Marquis and Marchioness," $250 to $500 are "Earl and Countess," $100 to $250 are "Baron and Baroness," while a donor who gives between $25 and $100 will be acknowledged as a "Lord and Lady."
"It is always a stretch to cover the costs," adds Jaworski. "We do not want the event to be less than it has been. There is so much for the students to experience and learn by their involvement, and that is why we do it."
Editor's note: Anyone wishing to help sponsor Twelfth Night may contact Jaworski at Catering Catering, 426-3235.
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