Shakespeare Speaks!

"Love can comment upon every woe."---The Bard

I picture myself as Hero here, shaking my head over my cousin, Beatrice's vain attempts at keeping herself from love.  At times, we all do that, trying to rationalize away our feelings in order to protect our hearts from hurt.  But, in the end, whether we allow the love in or strive to push it off, the hurt will inflict.  The difference is, whether we enjoy the benefits of our love along the way or not.  Love hurts but it doesn't have to necessarily end in heartbreak and farewell, but even when in does, trying to keep love away hurts more in the end, for we are left without the fond memories of love's delights.

"By heaven, I love thee better than myself."---The Bard

As in response to the last quote, admitting to yourself and to the one you love reaps an enormous amount of benefit than any possible embarrassment that comes in the process.  By being honest with ourselves and our feelings, we deepen our sense of self and strength as well as further develop our connection to those we love.  In the end, our overall satisfaction in life deepens to a level we would have never imagined before. 

"My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love is deep; the more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite."---The Bard

Lastly, admitting with an honest intensity the immense depth of your love for your beloved helps to maintain the security of the relationship, for both yourself and for the other.  In that security, trust is built, which brings about a depth of intimacy that further develops as the relationship continues.

So, The Bard had some good things to say, he wasn't just speaking prose and flowery language.  If we really listen as we read, the powerful truths of life and philosophy can reach out to us across the centuries.

These lines taken from my next production, "Shakespeare's Lovers" directed by Southern Oregon University students, Jonathan Pratt and Ceara Hays.

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What I'd Do For Love

I am Isabella, the sister of Claudio but also one committed to seeking to understand the spiritual realm.  I have begun the process of dedicating my life to the sisterhood, to become a bride of Christ as the saying goes.  In this, I commit my life to purity.

But, really, what choice do I have?

Claudio, my brother, is my best friend and the only family I have left in the world.  In a very real sense, he is my hero.  He is the one who cared for me all my life after our parents passed.  When as orphans, we were transferred to live with our begrudging aunt, our father's sister, and her family.  This family never fully accepted us but treated us as one step above servanthood and considered their responsibility to us as a mere duty.

When my brother met and fell in love with Juliet, our adopted family suddenly found him of more importance to them, as Juliet's family was one of wealth and social prominence.

Now that his fate is secured, it is time for me to branch out on my own and set purposely forward for my security.  My fate, then, sealed within the confines of the church.  But, this has not always been my desire.  Surely, I have a devotion to the things of the Lord but more than that I have always longed for the love and affection of a husband.  But, in today's society, a woman of my social position cannot hope for much more than what's she's given.

Thus, somewhat unhappily, I resign myself to my 'calling'.

Until I am approached by my brother in desperation, who is committed an act of treason, sexual intercourse before marriage, and is doomed to death by the government.

In this moment, the tables are turned and I am the one that needs to be the hero, for my brother.

Hero

Find out what happens on October 4th, 8 pm at the Bellview Grange as I play Isabella in "Shakespeare's Lovers" directed by Southern Oregon University students, Jonathan Pratt and Ceara Hays.

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In Search of the Dream

"Poor Lady, she were better love a dream."---William Shakespeare

Here I am, Hero, realizing what love truly is, a give and take compromise and hard work when it comes down to it, not the fairy-tale romance I once longed for.  There I see my cousin, Beatrice, fighting against this dreaded truth that she indeed loves Benedick.  The longer she fights against it, the harder her life becomes as she desires only a perfect human that is non-existent in this world.

I see now that loving someone is not merely built on fantasy, but on loving them for all their faults and flaws.

But, then when I think of who I am, in spite of my love for Claudio, imperfect that he is, I realize that in order to be true to myself, I must never give up loving that dream, however far-fetched, and that that is what makes life worth living.

"Straight on kisses' dream."---William Shakespeare

These lines are excerpts from my upcoming production of "Shakespeare's Lovers" opening October 4th, 8 pm at the Bellview Grange in Ashland, Oregon.  The show is directed by Southern Oregon University students, Jonathan Pratt and Ceara Hays.

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Confusing Love.

"Give me some counsel."--William Shakespeare

Can one just put themselves in the shoes of Juliet Capulet? That is one of my first jobs as an actress, when I am given any character and begin reading through the script, how can I relate to this character so that her story is true through me?  

I've been where Juliet is, we all have after all.  In those awkward early stages of love and infatuation in our younger days, trying to sort out who we are, our plans, our goals, amidst the raging hormones of passion and lust.  Added to that Juliet's issues with her beloved's family and hers in violent opposition, things would get more than a little murky.

But, Juliet does the right thing here, even if all goes to hell in the end.  She does what we all should do, but usually is our last ditch effort.  

She asks for counsel, then follows through on the advice of the Friar.  So, it didn't end the way they exactly had planned, but she did her part.  

So, a lot can be said about Juliet.  She is more than just a love-sick, naive teenager; she's savvy enough to not let herself get carried away in the emotional upheaval of young love, be drawn away by the bitterness of family feuds, or act irrationally in any other way (that's her Romeo's job).  She thinks things through, seeks guidance, and acts from there.

She's a smart cookie and deserves more than just a passing glance.

"Shakespeare's Lovers" is directed by Southern Oregon University students', Jonathan Pratt and Ceara Hays.  It opens October 4th, 8 pm at the Bellview Grange in Ashland, Oregon.

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There's a "Hero" in all of us!

"As I may be all-girl, all-woman, that doesn't mean I'm a shrinking violet or lessen my strengths, abilities, need for independence, or free thinking.  In fact, its the opposite, it develops the need deeper within.

I have goals and dreams, beyond falling in love with a man and settling down.  I don't mind having that but I also want more.  Unfortunately, the way my society dictates, my existence as a woman is entirely dependent on being a wife and mother.  But, maybe that's why my name is Hero, to be the change this world needs for all women-kind.

 A definition of Hero is as follows:

a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal

However, my world is turned upside down when I actually end up falling in love with Claudio.  I try to play it cool but after he leaves for battle, I realize my predicament.  I can only think of him, miss him, and realize now fully that part of my destiny is to be aligned with his life.

Upon his safe return, I am ready to stand by his side as wife and life partner, a giant step for a woman with my mindset, who was ready to defy convention and go against the grain of societal forces.

How do I understand this in myself? Well, as I explained to my cousin, Beatrice, its not something I fully understand myself, only that this power of love pulls me toward Claudio.  Furthermore, I feel so much that I know him and can trust that he will allow me to further pursue my ambitions and passions."

Hero

Hero is a character from the William Shakespeare's, "Much Ado About Nothing", of which scenes are used in my next production, "Shakespeare's Lovers", directed by Southern Oregon University students, Jonathan Pratt and Ceara Hayes.  The show opens October 4th, 8 pm at the Bellview Grange in Ashland, Oregon.

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