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Roger Shoemaker became involved in theater in the second grade and remains energized by it decades later. His eyes light up and he smiles as he talks about his recently completed ALL course.
For 12 weeks he and his class have happily explored the ins and outs of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” through readings, discussions, video clips and (of course) theater anecdotes. In the Spring of 2024, Roger notes excitedly, he plans to bring the same passion and expertise to exploring Sophocles” timeless play “Antigone”.
Roger draws on a well of deep experience. He has run a professional theater, worked as an actor, as a director, and for decades served as Dean of the Arts at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts, an internationally recognized independent residential arts high school. He also dabbled in television but found it had “too many machines”.
“Experiencing theater,” he observes, “is about performance versus textual analysis. It’s about ‘Did it work?’ How the play is cast, directed and acted,” he continues, “makes each production unique.” Video clips shown during class illustrate how you can hear and see the same words but feel like you are going to an entirely different play.
Roger recalls a highlight of his career in 2005 when he directed a production at New York City’s Carnegie Hall, He describes the event as an elaborate “dog and pony show” with a ballet, musical theatre and an orchestra, and chorus of 300 people on stage. The event honored the retiring Head of Walnut Hill and drew a full house.
Another accomplishment was being invited to help establish the ongoing theatre program at Dennis Yarmouth Regional High School.
Rogers’ worst professional memory might have been being pressured to direct a play while at Trinity College that 'BOMBED'. “I didn’t think the script was good but agreed to direct it. I just couldn’t "make it happen. It was SO boring! And BORING IS THE ONE THING you cannot do as a director. After that I never directed a play that I did not like.”
We are lucky that ALL falls into the category of things Roger enjoys being a part of. He views ALL as a great institution, takes courses, and is a member of the Curriculum Committee. He has an offering this spring and plans to offer future courses around how to enjoy theater in the fall. He also plans to enjoy his family and take a driving trip to Florida.
At the last meeting of this semester’s course, Roger and several members of his “Twelfth Night” class discussed what working with the play was like. A link to that discussion follows for those of you who would like a taste of what being in Roger’s class is like.
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