Gannon, Erie Campus – Last Saturday, Gannon University had the privilege of hosting the group at the Schuster Theatre. This year, the troupe performed Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, a tragedy set in ancient Rome that focuses on the aftermath of Caesar’s assassination.
In the play, Brutus, fearing Caesar’s potential abuse of power, joins a conspiracy led by Cassius to murder him. Afterward, Mark Antony, Caesar’s loyal ally, incites hostility against the conspirators, leading Rome into a dramatic civil war. The play explores themes of manipulation, persuasion, and the power of political language. Julius Caesar is a complex mixture of political drama, timeless themes, and memorable characters. The play’s emphasis on power, loyalty, and the complexities of human nature makes it as relevant today as it was in the 16th century. These rich themes were all fully conveyed by the C.A.S.T. members.
Since 1999, the Cambridge University American Stage Tour (C.A.S.T.) has brought some of Cambridge’s most talented actors and production teams to the United States, offering an annual Shakespearean tour along the East Coast. Additionally, C.A.S.T. provides American students and young people the opportunity to participate in workshops that introduce or deepen their existing knowledge about Shakespeare and his works. Despite their diverse academic backgrounds, C.A.S.T. members all share a passion for theatre.
“Having C.A.S.T. at the Schuster Theatre was a great opportunity not only for students but for the community,” said Anthony Nunez, a member of the Schuster Theatre. “The performers were phenomenal. I was absolutely enthralled watching their performance and definitely want to do some Shakespeare myself at this moment.”
Earlier in the day, the Schuster Theatre offered an interactive workshop on Julius Caesar with the participation of C.A.S.T. members, Gannon students, and local theatre enthusiasts. The workshop provided participants a chance to engage deeply with the play and its themes through script readings and open discussions, offering an insightful glimpse into the creative process of the actors involved in the production.
“Brutus was a character I was enamored with during the workshop and while watching the show. Isaac (the actor from C.A.S.T. who plays Brutus) did a wonderful job embodying that character and definitely did his homework,” Nunez said.
Both the workshop and the subsequent performance created a unique opportunity for participants to engage with Shakespeare’s work on a profound level, enhancing their appreciation of the timelessness of his plays.
The C.A.S.T. has brought fresh air to the local theatre scene. Their performance and the previous workshop were both educational and enjoyable.
“Erie as a whole has a thriving theatre scene, and it was great to see students and local community members coming together to learn,” Nunez said.
