By: Parker Lee
Garnering a reputation for drama and having a strong impact on the culture within the Tallahassee Community College student body over the years, Theatre! TCC is gearing up for their annual winter production.
Actors, set designers and directors have been hard at work under Program Director Eva Nielsen-Parks and Production Director Rose Bennett preparing to showcase Shakespeare’s famous screenplay “Taming of the Shrew.”
Opening night kicks off on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 8 p.m. in the Turner Auditorium on TCC’s main campus. Tickets can be bought 
in advance or at the box office on the 16.
Nielsen-Parks said this Shakespeare classic is filled with fun, physical humor and colorful characters. Theatre! TCC’s annual play is anticipated by many in the TCC and greater Tallahassee community each year.
“It is comedy at its best,” Nielsen-Parks said in a recent email interview. “While this production won’t disappoint fans of Shakespeare, it also promises to serve as a great introduction to those who have yet to be exposed to the works of the Bard.”
Actors, Amanda Fernandez-Acosta as Kate and Christopher Giles as Petruchio in Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew”
With many of these students looking to pursue careers in theatre, Nielsen-Parks said that learning how to perform Shakespeare helps student actors looking to further their skills and career.
“It’s a matter of exposing our students to the types of contemporary and classical styles of theatre that may increase employment opportunities in the future,” Nielsen-Parks said. “Our play selection committee also considers commercial appeal and tries to cover a diversity of time periods, cultures and genres for educational purposes.”
Nielsen-Parks also said that members of the cast and crew have been doing rehearsals three hours a day since the end of summer. All members of the TCC student body are encouraged to come out and support their peers’ hard work and efforts.
“I’m excited for them to finally have an audience,” Nielsen-Parks said. “It’s going to be a fun night at the theatre.”
Actors Gregory Scott Carter as Grumio, Christopher Giles as Petruchio and Leon Melnicoff as Hortensio.
Hannah MacGregor as Bianca and Amanda Fernandez-Acosta as Kate in Shakespear’s “Taming of the Shrew” put on by Theatre! TCC.
*Photos by Melina Myers
