Lucy Shea
  • Theatre
  • Class of 2017
  • Bethel, CT

Eastern Student Lucy Shea of Bethel Directs 'Hamlet' for Kids

2017 Mar 28

The Drama Society at Eastern Connecticut State University presented its first-ever children's theatre production on March 25 with a kid-friendly version of Shakespeare's "Hamlet." The production was directed by Lucy Shea '17 of Bethel. Two performances occurred for all-ages crowds in the Delmonte Studio Theatre of Eastern's Fine Arts Instructional Center.

"One of my favorite memories as an Eastern student is when I was an acting apprentice with Shakespeare on the Sound in Rowayton, CT," said Shea, who is the club president of Drama Society and double majors in Theatre and Political Science. "The company and I devised a new, 40-minute children's theatre version of 'Hamlet.' Kyra Baldwin, the playwright, created a perfect script that tells the story of Hamlet with an updated vibe. It was my delight and privilege to present this show in Eastern's new Fine Arts Instructional Center, brought to audiences by Drama Society.

"I'm most proud of the cast," said Shea. "Almost all of us were involved in other productions at the time, yet everyone came to rehearsals ready to work--they found the true joy of performing Shakespeare. Secondly, I'm proud of the show as a whole, as it was Drama Society's first-ever children's theater production. And I'm so grateful to the Theatre Program for helping me and supporting me throughout the process!"

Shea added, "My time at Eastern may be coming to a close, but I have been very fortunate to have had such positive learning experiences while here. I studied abroad for a semester, concentrating in Shakespearean performance at Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland. I spent a month in London in a global field course for theatre."