Shakuntala

April 06, 2018

Sofia Sidhu’s Senior Directing Thesis, written by Kalidasa, translated by Arthur Ryder, and adapted by Sofia Sidhu

     Sofia Sidhu’s senior Directing Thesis, Shakuntala by Kalidasa and translation by Arthur Ryder, opened in Tawes Theatre and ran for two nights. Taken from and expanded on an episode of the Mahabharata, Shakuntala focuses on the titular character’s struggles after falling in love with and marrying the King, Dushyanta. Shakuntala is cursed by a wandering god to be forgotten by her husband, and is consequently cast out of his palace.

     Sidhu was not originally considering Shakuntala, but after visiting with her family, reconsidered. “I couldn’t help myself, I couldn’t understand why I forgot to explore my own culture in these plays, because that would’ve been so much more fun for me and so much more involving and I would’ve been so much more crazy about it, and I wanted to be crazy about my thesis, I didn’t want to just put on a good play. So, I found Shakuntala.” She’s incredibly proud of her production. “I thought it was beautiful! Up until 20 minutes into opening night’s show, I was still stressing out. ….It was a rollercoaster during the last week …but it went amazingly.” Sidhu’s favorite part of her SCE was directing and working with her actors. “[I]t was definitely the director side. …Instead of doing a performance thesis, I chose a directing thesis, because … when am I going to be able to do something like this, as a semi-professional production with a budget. Directing my actors and getting to work with actors as an actor was just so much fun!”

     Shreyas Suresh ’18, who played King Dushyanta, had never acted before. He said, “This was  my first time acting. It was terrifying. …Right from the beginning, there were so many things I didn’t know. ….But I got to learn…so much. …I’m so glad I got to work with [Sofia,] she’s crazy talented. …I’m so glad I did it, it was such a cool experience.” His favorite part of Shakuntala was meeting everyone who worked on the show. “They’re all so friendly and genuine, there’s so much love in this cast and crew, and we would just hang out all the time. It was so nice to be a part of that, to experience that.”

     Stage Manager Rachel Treglia ’19 thoroughly enjoyed the experience of working on Shakuntala. She said, “It was a very relaxing process. …This was so much fun, everyone was in it together, and everyone wanted to do it for Sofia, so it was just really, really, good.” Treglia was excited to work on the production, as it was a play out of the norm for Washington College. “It was a folklore, and no one really does folklore, they do modern plays, so I wanted to do that. And I also … really enjoy culture … and I know Sofia is very passionate about her … Indian culture and I wanted to help her in any way I could.”

     Audience member Hannah Sauer ’20, said, “My favorite part of the show was when Mishrakeshi (played by Regina Bothwell ’20) sat in the house and interacted with the audience. She was absolutely brilliant! Her sassy attitude was hilarious and made everyone laugh. I still think about her scenes quite often, and I still laugh. It was just fantastic.”

Cast List

Stage Manager/King Dushyanta – Shreyas Suresh ’18

Charioteer/Chamberlain – Ethan Hu ’21

Hermit/First Hermit Youth/Harita/Attendant – Dayla Williams ’21

Shakuntala, Actress – Samina Soin-Voshell ’21

Anusuya/First Maid/First Woman – Mahin Zaman ’21

Priyamvada/Second Maid/Second Woman – Calisa Gayle ’21

Madhavya – Jalelewak Tolessa ’19

Raivataka/Sharngarava/Januka – Jake DiPaola ’21

Bhadrasena, Sharadvata, Suchaka – Kashope Akinsade ’21

Second Hermit Youth/Pupil/Fisherman/Matali – Nini Tufon ’20

Karabhaka/Chaplain – Stephaney Wilson ’20

Gautami/Michrakeshi/Voice – Regina Bothwell ’20

Kanva, Chief Policeman – Heber Guerra-Recinos ’20

Boy – Richie Torres ’18

Creative Team

Director – Sofia Sidhu ’18

Dramaturg – John Leslie ’19

Scenic Designer – Michelle Ly ’21

Costume Designer – Colin Higgins ’19

Light Designer – Melissa Sue Lopez Neely ’18

Sound Designer – Adam Ashcraft ’20

Props Master – Jackie Glenn ’19

Hair and Makeup Designer – Abbey Wark ’18

Fight Choreographer – Simon Belcher ’18 

Managers and Crew

Stage Manager – Rachel Treglia ’19

Assistant Stage Manager – Nic Job ’21

Production Assistant – Will Rotsch ’21

Light Board Operator – Spencer Russel ’19

Sound Board Operator – Jessica Gunoskey ’21

Run Crew – Leia French

Production Staff

Production Manager – Prof. Laura Eckelman

Technical Director – Larry Stahl ’81

Scene Shop Assistants – Anna Gjertsen ’18, Megan Iacona ’18, and John Leslie ’19

Costume Shop Manager – Lilly King ’18

Prop Shop Manager – Jackie Dulaff ’19

Lighting and Sound Shop Manager – Katie Peaccvock ’19

Website and Social Media Manager – Mark Christie ’18

Graphic Designer – Dylan Grimes ’19

House Managers – Jackie Glenn ’19, Adam Ashcraft ’20