Androcles and the Lion

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• published: 06 Jul 2015
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The spring play at Taft is a fixture of the end of the year calendar, but this year the actors, technical crew, designers and directors have been working on a project that adds fresh purpose to the traditional offering by embracing Taft’s tradition of community service. “Androcles and the Lion,” is adapted for young audiences from Aesop’s fable by Aurand Harris. It tells the story of a “friendship that was won by a kindness that was done.” The production will play twice on campus, and then embark on a tour to local elementary schools and libraries. The play features performances by Peter Dzubay ’18 as the slave, Androcles; and Natasha Batten ’15 as the Lion. The two form an unlikely friendship. Ai Bui ’16 and Gerry Calles ’18 play the star-crossed lovers Isabella and Lelio. Kelly Park ’15 and Gaines Semler ’15 play the miserly Pantalone and the boastful Captain, whose selfishness stands in the way of everyone’s happiness. “Everyone benefits from an undertaking like this,” says director Susan Becker Aziz. “The actors are working in a broad style that requires high energy and lots of physicality, which is new for many of them. The technical crew is building a flexible setting that can be set up easily in many different locations. It is always tons of fun to create a performance that entertains — this time we’re excited to have the added good of reaching audiences off campus that we have never played to before. That has made this production pretty special.” Actress Natasha Batten adds, “Being able to give back and represent the school motto through my passion for performing is the best way to finish my four years with theatre at Taft.” Tour Schedule Taft's Black Box Theater Wednesday, April 29, 1 pm Taft's Choral Room Wednesday, April 29, 6 pm Carrington Elementary, Waterbury Thursday, April 30, 3:15 pm Litchfield Montessori, Northfield Friday, May 1, 2:30 pm St John the Evangelist, Watertown Wednesday, May 6, 1 pm Goshen Public Library, Goshen Saturday, May 9, 12:30 pm Performances are free. The Taft on-campus and Goshen Public Library performances are open to the general public. The play is being staged by Susan Becker Aziz P’11, settings designed by David Kievit, costumes designed by Lesley Neilson-Bowman, music direction by TJ Thompson, with shadow puppets designed by Tong Cheunchitra ’15. Stage management by Allison Hsu ’16 and Tong Cheunchitra ’15. Technical crew: Ryan Rothfuss ’16, Harry Wang ’16, RJ Susi ’16, Maya Shrestha ’16, John Comai ’17, and Dot Harrop.