![Program Cover: Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again]](/sites/altoona/files/styles/node_embed/public/2025-03/s25_shakespeare_program-cover.jpg?itok=UV-89OKK)
By Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield
Directed by Mary Beth Geppart
Originally produced by Reduced Shakespeare Company
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again] is produced by special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc, NYC.
- The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
- The use of flash photography or the recording of this performance in any format is prohibited.
- Please silence all electronic and mobile devices.
- Be advised: this performance uses strobe effects. It will also include audience participation.
Actors
- Mahdi Bdairi
- Mike Landi
- Adria (Jay) Schmidt
All 37 Shakespeare Plays
Histories
- Henry IV, Part I
- Henry IV, Part II
- Henry V
- Henry VI, Part I
- Henry VI, Part II
- Henry VI, Part III
- Henry VIII
- King John
- Pericles
- Richard II
- Richard III
Comedies
- All's Well That Ends Well
- As You Like It
- Comedy of Errors
- Love's Labour's Lost
- Measure for Measure
- Merchant of Venice
- Merry Wives of Windsor
- Midsummer Night's Dream
- Much Ado about Nothing
- Taming of the Shrew
- Tempest
- Twelfth Night
- Two Gentlemen of Verona
- Winter's Tale
Tragedies
- Antony and Cleopatra
- Coriolanus
- Cymbeline
- Hamlet
- Julius Caesar
- King Lear
- Macbeth
- Othello
- Romeo and Juliet
- Timon of Athens
- Titus Andronicus
- Troilus and Cressida
Director's Note
Needing a fun script that I could quickly direct ushered in the hit comedy The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] (again). This fast-paced, hilarious show distills all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays into a thrill ride that leaves audiences helpless with laughter.
Shakespeare has fascinated me since middle school when an English teacher asked me to read Richard II. At 32, I entered higher education to become a Shakespearean scholar. Many have asked me, “Why?” My answer at 57 is that I love how the text provides a powerful guide for staging. The writing is so rich with character development, universal themes, and nuanced language that it provides a guide to interpret and bring the story to life, allowing for an infinite variety of interpretations while staying true to the emotions embedded within the text itself.
Shakespearean haters and lovers will enjoy this madcap romp. Regardless of where you fall in this love-hate literary fandom, we hope to create an atmosphere in which the audience becomes part of the play. We create this atmosphere by using a technique known as "direct address." Our actors speak directly to the audience. Because there was no "fourth wall" in Shakespeare’s playhouses, there is no fourth wall in our production. We believe that Shakespeare intended to bring his audiences into the world of the play.
Three talented improv comedians wrote The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) as a love letter to our modern audience—showcasing both the glory and the gore of the Bard’s work. Feel free to swoon at the princely poetry, laugh out loud at the massacre of musical meter, and recognize with us the human joys of the shared experience of live theatre. Anything can happen and anything will. Our three young, talented actors and their crew thank you for sharing in this romping good time!
And pardoned the deceiver, dwell
In this bare island by your spell,
But release me from my bands
With the help of your good hands.
Gentle breath of yours my sails
Must fill, or else my project fails,
Which was to please.
Now I want Spirits to enforce, art to enchant,
And my ending is despair,
Unless I be relieved by prayer,
Which pierces so that it assaults
Mercy itself, and frees all faults.
As you from crimes would pardoned be,
Let your indulgence set me free. - Shakespeare,
The Tempest, Epilogue 7 – 20
Enjoy the show! Professor Mary Beth
Cast Bios
Mahdi Bdairi is pursuing a degree in forensic science with the intent to graduate in 2028. He has been involved in theatre for years and worked behind the scenes in countless productions. His recent credits include costuming, marketing, and performing in Fun at Penn State Altoona and Alice by Heart at Storm Performing Arts. In the future, Mahdi hopes to be involved in more productions at Penn State Altoona.
Mike Landi is a second-year student pursuing an electrical engineering degree. This is his first time acting in a play. In high school Mike was a stage manager and assisted in The Producers among many other productions. He hopes to be involved in more theatre here at Penn State Altoona.
Adria (Jay) Schmidt is a second-year English literature major from St. Marys, Pennsylvania. She is involved in visual arts, live performances, and filmmaking. Adria has had several written works published and been the recipient of several awards for her work with the visual arts in both secondary school and at the collegiate level. She has worked with Penn State Altoona's theatre department in Dark Side of The Moon: A Tribute to Pink Floyd, The Wake of Jamey Foster, and Flights Of Fancy. Adria plans to teach English literature at a professional level, after, of course, winning an Oscar.
"Love all, trust few, do wrong to none."
- Shakespeare, All's Well That Ends Well, 1.1. 62-63
Production Team Bios
Maxwell Doherty (technical director) is the technical director for the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts. Recently, he has worked on such shows as Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and The Wonderful World of Animation. In addition to his recent experience at Disney World, he is also a graduate of the Penn State School of Theatre where he worked on such productions as Brigadoon, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Seawall, Angels in America, To Kill a Mockingbird, Legally Blonde, and many more.
Mary Beth Geppert (director, fight choreographer) holds a master of fine arts in Shakespeare and performance. Her performance history stretches over forty years ranging from fronting blues bands to acting, producing, directing, teaching, and facilitating academies. She spent years teaching Shakespeare at universities in England and the United States. As the proprietor of Bea’s Performing Arts, NE United States and England, she designed and facilitated workshops for Stratford Youth Hostel, Evesham’s Arts Centre, and Leeds Grand Opera House. She worked with students in drama clubs and individually taught acting to over 2,000 students ranging in age from 5 to adult. Since returning stateside, she facilitated summer academies, began the V-Day Campaign, produced and directed many plays, and served as the catalyst to saving the Clearfield Arts Studio Theatre from tax sale in 2014. Developing human potential through performing arts inspires Mary Beth to keep the arts alive.
Cara Groome (scenic designer) is a second-year student majoring in visual art studies and minoring in theatre. She has been passionate about the physical and performing arts since she was young. Her recent credits include set designing, stage managing, and performing in Cinderella and The Sound of Music, as well as stage managing for Circle Mirror Transformation, The Wake of Jamey Foster, and A Night of One Acts at Penn State Altoona. She was also recently the recipient of the Kenneth M. Kuhn Award for Visual Arts. In the future, Cara hopes to be involved in more productions at Penn State Altoona and in the local community and to continue to combine her passions for art and theatre.
Christian Howard (stage manager, props master) is a graduate of the Integrative Arts program at Penn State Altoona. He was an active performer on the college’s stage during his time as a student, and he was the recipient of a Liszka Award and Kenneth M. Kuhn Memorial Award as well as a two-time winner of National Association of Teachers of Singers vocal competition in the musical theatre category. He also participated in a Masterwork Chorus Festival where he performed in Carnegie Hall along with Penn State Altoona's Ivyside Pride choral group. Currently, he is the theatre and gallery assistant and stage manager for the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts and is an active member of the local performing arts community.
Elijah King (lighting designer) is a fourth-year multidisciplinary studies student majoring in theatre, arts, and production. They have contributed to past Penn State Altoona productions such as Big Noodles, theLASTree, and A Night of One Acts. Outside of Penn State, they have participated in sixteen productions, taking on three as the lighting designer and eleven as the assistant lighting designer. They aspire to pursue a career in art education while continuing to engage in technical theatre.
Sasha Krasnov (stage crew) is a criminology major and is part of the backstage crew. They love learning about different aspects of theatre. A special shout-out to their mom for getting them into theatre.
Breana Leopol (stage crew) is a first-year criminal justice major. This is her first experience in theatre. She is the last child in her family and the first to go away for college.
Sean Miller (assistant stage manager) is a third-year student pursuing a degree in accounting. They have been in multiple theatre productions in the past, including as Matthew in Fun during A Night of One Acts in the fall 2024 semester. This production is their first time working behind the scenes. Sean hopes to do more theatre productions in the future at Penn State Altoona.
Charlie Popson (costumer) is a second-year student majoring in human development and family studies. Charlie has been sewing for as long as they can remember and has worked in costuming since middle school. Charlie is also a dancer with the Ivyside Dance Ensemble, so they can be found both onstage and off. They are excited to say this is their first show in Altoona as an official (non-volunteer) member of the crew!
Logan Sava (calling stage manager) is a fourth-year student pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. They have been involved in theatre for years and worked behind the scenes in multiple productions. Logan hopes you enjoy the show!
Noah Schenk (stage crew) is a fourth-year visual art studies major. They want to get into costume and prop design, as well as learn the ins and outs of sewing, stitching, and mending. They are a traditional and (mostly) digital artist aiming to pursue concept art and design for various media.
Audrey Wawrynovic (costumer) is a third-year student pursuing their degree in multidisciplinary studies. They have worked behind the curtains with a needle and managing the costumes and makeup for Penn State Altoona productions such as Dark Side of The Moon: A Tribute to Pink Floyd and Flights of Fancy. Audrey hopes to be a continued asset for future productions at the college.
Benjamin Weaver (deck chief) is a graduate from Centenary University in 2021 with a degree in technical theatre. His past credits include the scenic designer of 1984, Avenue Q, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Sweat (NEXTStage Rep), The Wake of Jamey Foster (Penn State Altoona), scenic artist for A Christmas Carol (Centenary Stage Co.), and assistant scenic for The Evolution of Mann (American Theatre Group) instagram: @yellowbensets
Artie Welsh (spot operator) is an earth and mineral sciences major. The most recent show they were involved in was Emma! A Pop Musical. Their focus is to learn all the aspects of theatre production. In their free time, they play baseball and basketball.
Production Team
- Director—Mary Beth Geppert
- Technical Director— Maxwell Doherty
- Scenic Designer—Cara Groome
- Lighting Designer—Elijah King
- Stage Manager—Christian Howard
- Calling Stage Manager—Logan Sava
- Assistant Stage Manager—Sean Miller
- Deck Chief—Benjamin Weaver
- Costumers—Charlie Popson, Audrey Wawrynovic
- Fight Choreographer—Mary Beth Geppert
- Props Master—Christian Howard
- Sound Board Operator—Eric Wertz
- Spot Operator—Artie Welsh
- Stage Crew—Sasha Krasnov, Breana Leopol, Noah Schenk
Upcoming Events and Performances
- March 27, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
Liederabend - April 10 - 11, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
Ivyside Dance Performance - April 24 - 25, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
Ivyside Pride Performance: All Things Under Heaven - April 10 & 24, 4:00 p.m.
VAST Student Gallery Reception - April 26, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
University Jazz Band Performance - May 1, 2024, 12:15 p.m.
Titelman Cabaret
Special Thanks
- Altoona Community Theatre
- Erik Johnson - Thanks for the workshop!
- Cory Monaco
- Bob Fornauf
- Joe Geppert
- KT Huckabee
Acknowledgments
- Dr. Ron Darbeau, chancellor and dean
- Dr. Leigh Ann Haeffner, interim vice chancellor, Academic Affairs
- Dr. Nicholas Pyeatt, interim division head, Business, Health, Humanities, and Social Sciences
- Jonathan O’Harrow, director, Strategic Communications
- Marissa Carney, media and public relations coordinator, Strategic Communications
- Melissa Wilt, graphic designer, Strategic Communications
- Kylea Myers, theatre and gallery coordinator, Misciagna Family Center
- Christian Howard, theatre and gallery assistant, Misciagna Family Center
- Maxwell Doherty, technical director, Misciagna Family Center
- Benjamin Weaver, technical theatre assistant, Misciagna Family Center
- Kathy Bumberger, janitorial worker, Facilities and Operations
Performances are free thanks to the Kjell Meling Arts for All Initiative.