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Much Ado About Shakespeare

Club+members+pose+with+an+actor+at+a+Shakespeare+in+the+Parks+event+this+past+June.++
Killian Jampierre
Club members pose with an actor at a Shakespeare in the Parks event this past June.

For many students in the context of their English class, saying “Shakespeare” is equivalent to saying “torture.”

Brian Tippy, who teaches Shakespeare, understands why the historic writer frequently has a negative reputation among modern readers. “I think the four hundred years between us and Shakespeare can sometimes get in the way for students,” Tippy said. “The unfamiliar language and style can make the plays feel artificial and confusing.”

However, despite the complex nature of Shakespeare’s work, for some determined students, there is more excitement than anxiety about the most famous playwright.

These students are part of the Shakespeare Club, a group that was started last year by Killian Jampierre ’15. When asked why she created the club, Jampierre had a simple answer, “I really just love Shakespeare.”

According to member Amelia Tavarnesi ‘15, a typical meeting consists mostly of discussing Shakespeare and coming up with ideas for various events that celebrate his life and works. One already completed activity is a trip to Shakespeare in the Park in New York City this June. Members hope to make this an annual trip.

The next major event on the horizon is the club’s planned performance of Much Ado About Nothing, which will likely happen at Toquet Hall in March. Shelby Cataldo ’15, director of the play, hopes to base it on the original play as much as possible. “It’s going to be a very simple production,” said Cataldo. “But we hope [that it] will raise revenue and awareness for the club and spread our love of Shakespeare throughout Westport.”

Another activity that the club plans to have is a trip to England in April. The club would explore Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace; and certain neighborhoods of London, where he spent much of his life.

Various club members stress the importance of having a love rather than dislike of Shakespeare, as his literature has had a massive influence upon present day culture.

“Movies like ‘West Side Story’ are based on his work,” said Jampierre. “We’re always around his work and many people don’t realize his impact.”

Tippy agrees on the value of understanding Shakespeare. “[He] helped invent our sense of what a human being is [and] the origins of our morality,” he said. “It asks deep questions about love, honor, anger, jealousy and even stupidity, and it takes you along for the ride if you let it.”

The Shakespeare Club will be welcoming new members during Club Rush. Meetings are held every Monday in room 2002. To help support the club’s upcoming missions, indulge in something from one of their monthly bake sales.

 

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Justine Seligson, Photo Coordinator
Being a self-described political junkie and a teen travel writer, Justine Seligson '15 is not only, without a doubt,  a well rounded student and basically a mother's dream, but also a very unique addition to the staff. Seligson is extremely modest about her accomplishments, but it is very clear that her extensive journalistic experience outside of Inklings has largely influenced her presence on the paper. "I have a column on teen travel on my parent's website, which is called Farewell Travels," Seligson said. "It's a very different type of writing [than Inklings] but it's definitely helped me to grow as a journalist overall." Seligson goes on to describe the plethora of exquisite articles she has written for her column over the years. Seligson further explained how her experiences in traveling have shaped her journalistic presence in a large way. She explains why she is nonchalant about the amazing experiences she has had traveling the globe, explaining that it has always been a way of life for her and her family. "My family travels all the time," she said. "It's just part of our business." However, Seligson says that "...[she] would a much different writer if [she] hadn't traveled so much." She casually mentions how much of an impact a pre-college Kenyan writing program had on her, as what an honor it was to be featured in the National Geographic Student Edition. "It made me realize that even though journalism may supposedly be a dying business, there may be some hope for me to pursue my dream career," she said. With her in-depth knowledge of travel and politics, Seligson is sure to be an interesting voice on the paper this year. She hopes to improve her writing and photography even more this year, as well as to help other staff members to increase the quality of their own photographs.

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