A bit of comedy, a late Shakespeare classic and Greek tragedy all combine for American Shakespeare Center's annual visit to the Texarkana area next week.
The Virginia-based Shakespeare specialists will bring the Sophocles classic "Antigone" to Texas High School for a 7:30 p.m. show Wednesday at the Sullivan Performing Arts Center. A musical pre-show starts half an hour before the show. This show is free but tickets are required.
Then ASC heads to Historic Washington State Park in nearby Washington, Ark., for two shows: "The Winter's Tale" on Friday, March 1, and "The Comedy of Errors" on Saturday, March 2, both in the 1940 WPA Gym. Doors open at 7 p.m. each night for a 7:30 p.m. start. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12.
Constance Swain, who achieved her MFA at the University of Houston, performs roles in all three shows: the title role in "Antigone," Perdita in "The Winter's Tale"; and Adriana in "The Comedy of Errors." It's her third season with ASC.
"It's a really awesome company. It's a great gig, first of all, one that one people don't just come by," Swain said. Signing on for a whole year means she's acting for the entire time, a plus. There's travel, an opportunity to see the country. The ASC thespians also meet theatergoers all over.
"Some places have ample theater," Swain said. "And then some people, we're the only theater that they get ever. It's a nice mixture of crowds."
As Antigone, she portrays a character who wants to honor her late brother Polyneices, who has been denied burial by Creon, the new ruler of Thebes who forbids funeral rites for him after he dies in battle while fighting his brother for control of the throne. Antigone's rebellious defiance inspires Creon's wrath.
"Our job is to take these old stories and these concepts and make them relevant, because they are. The story of Antigone is a sad one but it's one of triumph," Swain said, "I think one that is so pertinent to today's times, in particular, with things like March for Our Lives and the uprising of the youth, which I think is really awesome."
"Antigone" is the first Greek tragedy performed by the ASC. Swain sees her character as a relatable one. She's committed to telling the truth of this character.
"Her story is so beautiful and it's so intriguing," Swain said of this character, one she respects. "Even in the face of death she says, 'No, I'm going to do what's right.'"
In addition to Perdita in "The Winter's Tale," Swain plays a boy, the young Mamillius. ASC often uses cross-gender casting. It's a common doubling to play both, Swain said, who described Perdita as, like Antigone, a strong-willed woman.
"They're all very 'I'm going after what I want, even if that might be considered wrong,'" the actress said.
In Shakespeare's's "The Comedy of Errors" that Saturday, Swain plays Adriana, about whom she said, "She is a nut case, but rightfully so." She's significantly older than Perdita and Antigone, an exciting challenge to play. The play itself is a comedic delight with mistaken identities, twins, a jealous wife and more fun. It's a physical, ensemble show.
"Everyone is taking on so much to make this train run and it's a lot of fun," Swain said.
ASC employs many of the techniques popular in Shakespeare's day, such as universal lighting, music and a minimal set.
The ASC will also present afternoon workshops for actors 14 and older on March 2 at Historic Washington: Staging Shakespeare at 11 a.m.; Staging the "Bear" Scene in Shakespeare at 1 p.m.; Music and Shakespeare at 2:30 p.m.; and How to Stage "Twins" in Shakespeare at 4 p.m. Workshop cost is $5 per person.
ASC will also do workshops at both Arkansas and Texas High Schools.
(For Texas High performance tickets, pick them up at the Texarkana Independent School District Administrative Office, 4241 Summerhill Road, or call 903-794-3651, ext. 1013 or email [email protected] to have them mailed. For Historic Washington performances, call 870-983-2684 to reserve tickets to be picked up at the 1874 Courthouse Visitor Center.)