A FREET LIVE D IVE-IN

THEATRICAL EVENT

2020-2021 SEASON JULY 24 I 25 I 26 I 30 I 31 + AUG 1 I 7:30 PM AFOOK-CHINEN CIVIC AUDITORIUM PARKING LOT Director’s Notes Often referred to by scholars as the bard’s “most perfect” tragedy, Othello isn’t just a beautifully construct- ed tragic arc. The tragedy is heightened as we watch the hero falter—and eventually fall—so far from what could have been. The man at the very center of this tragic web had everything: true love, power, respect. It is precisely because fortune smiled so generously upon Othello de- spite his being a Moor—a foreigner, an “other,” seen as undeserving by many of the Venetians around him—that he must fall. Inevitably. Inexorably.

It’s always a good time to revisit the intricate and beauti- ful themes in Othello, but we’re living through a cultural moment when more and more people are starting to see the threads of profound injustice and inequality that are woven into our country for people of color. Xenophobia is nothing new, but it is louder than ever. It is important that we remember and honor this through the timeless lens of Shakespeare’s words.

Mahalo, Sarah Elliott Hilo Community Players

PRESENT OTHELLO

Written by William Shakespeare

Directed by Sarah Elliott

Hilo Community Players Board Members

President - Dr. Rachel Klein Vice-President - Karen Moore Treasurer - Erin McClure Secretary - Autumn Miyares-Thompson

Board Members at Large

Roberta Brashear-Kaufers Sarah Elliott Jennifer Brahms Gardham Nicole Gour John Kooistra Glenn Lagman Ray Ryan Jeffrey North Wilson

Hilo Community Players is a 501 (C)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to educate, enrich, and inspire the Big Island community through quality theatrical productions, workshops, and activities for children, teens, and adults. Catch more of our 43rd annual Shakespeare in the Park Festival ONLINE, Premiering August 1st! UPCOMING EVENTS: Shakespeare in the Park would not be possible without the ongoing support of EHCC's in-house keiki art program art camQs, workshops, & more! Check us p8t at www.ehcc.org/yas

EAST HAWAl'I CULTURAL CENTER

ONLINE PHOTO EXHIBITION

EHCC invites the statewide commuity to submi

Open call to all Hawal'I (state) reside No entry fee Photos should Illuminate some aspect of llfe Hawal'I under current conditions There Is no deadline to enter Scene Summary Act 1 Scene 1: Roderigo, who has been courting Desdemona, is devastated to hear that she has eloped with Othello, the Moorish general in the service of Venice. Iago, Oth- ello’s aide, assures Roderigo that he also hates the Moor because Othello denied him a promotion that went to Cassio. Hoping to thwart the happy couple, lago and Roderigo awaken Desdemona’s father Brabantio to inform him of the elopement and her absence.

Act 1 Scene 2: lago tells Othello of Brabantio’s anger as Cassio arrives with word that the general has been summoned by the Duke to a council of war. When Brabantio hears that he has also been summoned, the angry father plans to accuse Othello of bewitching or kidnapping his daughter in front of the Duke.

Act 1 Scene 3: The Duke of Venice and Senator Lodovico receive news of an immi- nent Turkish attack on the Venetian island of Cyprus. Othello and Brabantio arrive and Brabantio makes his accusation. Othello replies that Desdemona fell in love with him over the course of many visits to Brabantio’s house and that she has married him of her own free will. When she is summoned, she confirms her love and devotion to her new husband. Brabantio concedes, and the meeting resumes as Othello is ordered to leave for Cyprus. Desdemona is to live there with him, and lago is to escort her in a later ship. Privately, lago assures Roderigo that Desdemona will soon repent marriage to a Moor, and that if Roderigo will come to Cyprus he will continue to help him with his suit by delivering presents to Desdemona. Roderigo agrees and leaves; lago reflects on how easy it is to get money from this fool. Saying that Othello is rumored to have cuckolded him, he goes on to plot revenge upon both Othello and Cassio; he will make the general believe that Cassio is the lover of his new wife.

Act 2 Scene 1: In Cyprus, the Venetian governor Montano greets Cassio, who tells him that a great storm separated his ship from Othello’s. Desdemona arrives with lago, Iago’s wife Emilia, and Roderigo. Soon after, Othello arrives and greets Desdemona with affection before the group moves indoors, leaving lago and Roderigo behind. lago pro- poses a plot: he says that Desdemona is in love with Cassio and proposes that Roderigo pick a fight with the lieutenant while he commands the guard that night, in the hopes that fighting on duty will disgrace Cassio and remove him as potential competition for Desdemona. Roderigo agrees. Alone, lago meditates on the course of his plans: he will torment Othello with the notion that Desdemona is being unfaithful with Cassio, earn- ing the general’s trust and credit while making him sick with jealousy.

Act 2 Scene 3: Despite Cassio’s insistence that a little wine will make him very drunk, lago convinces him to drink a little more to celebrate their victory. Cassio, Iago, and Montano enjoy wine (and female company) until Cassio is quite drunk. lago sends Rod- erigo to go provoke Cassio, who takes the bait and injures Roderigo and Montano. Oth- ello is woken by the noise and angrily dismisses Cassio as his lieutenant. lago convinces Cassio that his only hope of recovering his position is to get Desdemona to present his case to Othello. Cassio agrees and leaves, and lago exults in the success of his scheme: now Othello will witness—and jealously misconstrue—Desdemona’s interest in Cassio. Act 3 Scene 1: lago sends Emilia to Cassio and she assures him that Desdemona favors his cause and agrees to take him where he may meet with the general’s wife.

Act 3 Scene 3: Desdemona assures Cassio she will plead his case to Othello. Cassio retreats as Othello and lago approach, which Iago pretends to regard suspiciously. Desdemona asks Othello to take Cassio back, and he agrees, saying that he loves her and can deny her nothing. She leaves, and lago begins to ask seemingly innocent questions about Cassio. He pretends to be reluctant to express his suspicion, but goes on to inflame Othello with the idea of a sexual affair between Cassio and Desdemona. Othello tries to dismiss the idea, but it begins to work on him. Desdemona and Emilia arrive and Othello disguises his distress. As they head inside, Desdemona leaves behind a prized handkerchief that was Othello’s first gift. Emilia picks it up, and lago takes it from her as she leaves. He states his intention to plant it on Cassio. Othello returns and angrily demands proof of Desdemona’s infidelity. lago asserts that Cassio has Desdemo- na’s handkerchief. Enraged, Othello goes on his knees to formally swear vengeance, and lago affirms his loyalty and joins him in the oath, promising to kill Cassio himself and to help Othello kill Desdemona.

15 Minute INTERMISSION

Act 3 Scene 4: Desdemona tries to plead Cassio’s case, but Othello demands his hand- kerchief. Desdemona denies that it is lost. She tries to change the subject back to Cassio, and Othello leaves in a rage. lago and Cassio appear; Desdemona remarks on Othello’s strange anger, and lago volunteers to go see the general. Emilia observes that Othello may be jealous of his wife, even though he has no reason, and Desdemona decides she must approach him again. The women leave as Cassio’s lover Bianca appears. She humorously chastises Cassio for not seeing her more often and he asks her to make him a copy of the embroidered handkerchief he has found.

Act 4 Scene 1: lago says that Cassio has admitted to sleeping with Desdemona. Beside himself with rage, Othello has a panic attack. Cassio appears, and lago tells him he has important news for him and to come back when Othello’s gone. Cassio leaves, and Iago tells Othello that if he eavesdrops on the meeting he has arranged with Cassio, the general will hear Cassio speak of his affair with Desdemona. When Cassio returns, lago talks loudly about Desdemona, then quietly introduces the subject of Bianca. With amused disrespect, Cassio laughs about how she presumes to think she’ll marry him while Othello listens and gets angrier. Bianca arrives with the handkerchief, which she now believes was given to Cassio by another woman. Othello now thinks that Cassio has given Desdemona’s love token to a harlot. Desdemona appears with Lodovico, who brings a message from Venice calling Othello back and placing Cassio in command of Cyprus. When Desdemona is pleased, Othello misconstrues Desdemona’s excitement to return to Venice as happiness for Cassio’s good fortune. before quietly killing Roderigo. Bianca arrives. lago declares that she is probably in- volved in the attempted murder and charges her to go with them. Act 4 Scene 2: Othello questions Emilia, who says there is no reason to suspect Des- demona and Cassio are having an affair. He summons Desdemona and angrily accuses her of vague misconduct. When he leaves, Desdemona tells Emilia to fetch lago, and the two try to reassure her. Desdemona and Emilia leave as Roderigo arrives, complaining that lago has taken his money and jewels and hasn’t fulfilled his promises. lago tells him that because Cassio is to replace Othello as governor, the general is leaving and will take Desdemona with him. lago promises to help Roderigo kill Cassio so that Othello will have to stay, and Desdemona will remain within reach.

Act 4 Scene 3: On his way out, Othello tells Desdemona that she is to prepare for bed and dismiss Emilia. Desdemona says that she loves Othello despite his unreasonable anger. A sense of foreboding unsettles her and she has a sad song stuck in her head, one that was sung by an abandoned woman while she died. The women commiserate while Emilia contemplates the nature of their husbands and men in general.

Act 5 Scene 1: lago sets Roderigo up to ambush Cassio, hoping that Roderigo and Cassio will kill each other. Cassio stabs Roderigo as lago wounds Cassio from behind and flees. Othello sees the wounded Cassio crying for help and exults in the sight. Lodovico and Montano arrive with torches to investigate and lago returns, pretending to be enraged at the assault on Cassio before quietly killing Roderigo. Bianca arrives. lago declares that she is probably involved in the attempted murder and charges her to go with them.

Act 5 Scene 2: Othello has made up his mind to kill Desdemona, but when he gets closer he is overcome with love for her, declaring that he will not harm her beauty; he will kill her bloodlessly. When she wakes, Othello tells a very confused Desdemona to prepare to die. He says the handkerchief is proof of her adultery. When she begs him to send for Cassio to prove her innocence, Othello triumphantly reports Cassio’s death. She pleads for mercy, but Othello strangles her. Emilia comes to inform him of the fighting and hears a near-death Desdemona choking out some last words before dying. Othello admits that he has murdered her because she was unfaithful, which Emilia de- nies. She calls for help, and Montano and lago appear. Othello explains that Cassio had Desdemona’s handkerchief, and Emilia finds the strength to speak her mind, revealing that she found it and gave it to Iago. lago kills her and flees as Montano chases after, leaving Othello to his mounting grief. When Lodovico brings lago back as prisoner, Othello attacks him. Iago says that he’s wounded but not killed, and that he will never explain why he destroyed Othello. Othello stabs himself before anyone can stop him, and Iago’s revenge is complete. Cast

Othello...... Jarren Amian

Iago...... Theon Weber

Desdemona...... Alya-Joy Kanehailua

Emilia...... Angie Nakamura

Michael Cassio...... Hank Widdecombe

Bianca...... Celaney Carpenter

Roderigo...... Sarah Elliott

Brabantio/Montano...... William C. McGregor

Lodovico...... Robin Rihl

Duke of Venice/Clown...... John Kooistra Production & Design Team Director: Sarah Elliott Producer/Asst. Director: Dr. Rachel Klein Stage Manager: Erin McClure Set Design: Sarah Elliott, Glenn Lagman & Erin McClure Master Carpenters: McLean Eames, Glenn Lagman, Erin McClure Scenic Construction & Painting: Rob Abe, Jarren Amian, Gazza Bubrdulis, Celaney Carpenter, Cori Dela Cruz, June Dela Cruz, Jennifer Brahms Gardham, Mc- Lean Eames, Sarah Elliott, Tom Elliott, Christine Hustace, Alya-Joy Kanehailua, Dr. Rachel Klein, Dr. John Kim, Glenn Lagman, Sawyer Lewis, Erin McClure, Angie Nakamura, Maureen Ota-McClure, Alisha Sako, McLean, James Henry Kūliaikapono O’Connor, Ray Ryan, Zoe Rose, Theon Weber Site Supervisor: Vincent Lighting Design: Ray Ryan Lighting Operator: Tyler Dela Cruz Costuming: Sarah Elliott Sound Design: Sarah Elliott Sound Operator: Pepe Romero & CJ Promotions Rehearsal Sound Assistant: Zoe Rose Properties Master & Stage Hand: Jasper Rose Poster Design & Program Art: Sarah Elliott Program: Jeffrey North Wilson and Dr. Rachel Klein Photographers: 360 True North Photography Front of House Helpers: Landon Ballesteros, Gazza Bubrdulis, Cori Dela Cruz, June Dela Cruz, Jennifer Brahms Gardham, Nikki Gour, Glenn Lagman, Autumn Miyares-Thompson, James Henry Kūliaikapono O’Con- nor, Ray Ryan, Jeffrey North Wilson SPOTLIGHT ON THE DIRECTOR

Sarah Elliott (Director/Roderigo) Sarah was last seen on stage as Ivy in Hilo Community Players’ Bare. She grew up in Waimea, where she started acting at age 6. She studied voice at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and theater at Sarah Lawrence College. Recently, she directed Waimea Community Theatre’sThe Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). She lives in Waimea with too many cats and the world’s most patient husband. “Thanks, Tom!” Due to unforseen circumstances, Sarah will be stepping into the role of Roderigo during this evening’s performance.

Special Mahalos Pepe Romero CJ Promotions John Kea Rob Abe Arie Bassett University of Hawai’i at Hilo Performing Arts Center

And Our 2020-2021 Season Sponsor The County of Hawai’i WHO'S WHO

Jarren Amian (Othello) Jarren is pleased to be performing in Hilo Community Players Shakespeare in the park. Born and raise on Oahu, he has been seen on the island in a number or performances. He last played Guy in Manoa valley theatre’s Once. His other roles include Frank’n’furter in The Rocky Horror Show, Chris in Lynn Nottege’s Sweat, And Oberon in UH Manoa’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Jarren has also graduated from Uh Manoa with a baccalaureate of arts majoring in theatre.

Celaney Carpenter (Bianca) Celaney has been performing in the community since she was 7. Most recently appearing as Ophelia in HCP’s Hamlet and Tiffany in HCP’s Bare. She will also be ap- pearing in this years online Kids Shakes play, Oh, Hello! premiering August 1st. She is thrilled to be performing once again on the Hilo Community Players stage, espe- cially during a pandemic. “Never been happier to live in Hawaii <3”

Alya-Joy Kanehailua (Desdemona) Alya-Joy is home from college due to COVID-19 and is so excited to be joining Hilo Community Players for Shakespeare in the Park(ing lot)! Last year, she was seen in Bare, the HCP Christmas Cabaret and The Palace Theater’sGypsy before heading to the University of Southern California to pursue a B.A. in Theatre. She would like to thank HCP for being a second family, and her Mom, Sawyer and Raelene for all the love and sup- port. Please wear a mask and enjoy the show!

Donate today to help us continue programs like this! WHO’S WHO

John Kooistra (Duke of Venice/Clown) John says “Here’s a triple “Brava” to Sarah, Rachel, and Erin for taking on what has to be the most difficult challenge in mounting a production in the 43-year history of Hilo’s Shakespeare in the Park! And thanks, Sarah, for making the textual adjustments allowing this memory-challenged old guy to participate in my 27th Shakespare in the Park production! Break a leg, each and every one!”

William C. McGregor (Brabantio/Montano) William is a veteran of the World Nerf Football League is happy to be making his acting debut. He wants to thank his former teammates back in Lithuania for letting him go and all his new ones in Hilo for teaching him English. What a great time to start a new career To DUKE the American arts scene.

Angie Nakamura (Emilia) Angie is a seasoned veteran of the Shakespeare in the Park stage, and last year directed the ‘kidshakes’ production Hamajang Hamlet for which she won a Best Director tiki award.

Need a snack and a drink? Concessions are available. Order online at https://hiloplayers.org/concessions/ and we’ll bring it right to your vehicle!

Restrooms are available at the front enterance of the civic. Masks & social distancing are Donate today to help us continue programs like this! required outside your vehicle. WHO'S WHO

Robin Rihl (Lodovico) Robin is an actor, filmmaker, fire dancer and adventure sports enthusiast. He has performed in various local community theater productions including HCP’s Willy Wonka, and Bare. Be sure to catch him in the upcoming Beauty and The Beast and in projects showcased at The Made In Hawaii Film Festival.

Theon Weber (Iago) Theon last appeared as the Stage Manager in HCP’s 2020 production of Our Town, and last attempted to croon onstage as Private Hennesey in Larry Reitzer’s Biloxi Blues. This is his sixth Shakespeare in the Park production. He works at the Palace Theater.

Hank Widdecombe (Michael Cassio) Hank was last seen in Hilo Community Players’ production of Bare after a long hiatus from theatre. He would like to thank his mom, Joan Derbyshire, whom he loves very much.

Tiki Awards! Vote for your two favorite performers here: https://hiloplayers.org/tiki-award-ballot/ From Our Town To Your Town

Wishes the Cast and Crew all the best!

Open 7 Days a week in Beau�ful Downtown Honomu 808-963-6449 Hilo Community Players Members LIFETIME Judy Grogg ~ Jackie Pualani Johnson ~ Steve Peyton

LEGEND Kathy Frankovic & Hal Glatzer ~ Dr. Rachel Klein ~ Cathy McPherson-Tampos & Evette Tampos ~ Angie Nakamura ~ Johsua Simmons ~ Ed Torison of Hilo Bay Realty LLC ~ Paradise Plants Home and Garden Center

PATRON Saul Rollason & Dr. Margaret Hu

STAR Dianne Adkins ~ Robert & Adriana Duerr ~ Jennifer Brahms Gardham ~ Desmon & Stacy Haumea ~ Michael Hoenig ~ Dr. John Kim ~ Joan Derbyshire & Sunny LaRosa ~ Carolyn Lee ~ Osei Munfafo-Watts & Koran Munafo ~ Joanne Pocsidio ~ Helie Rock ~ Ed & Cynthia Sorenson ~ BJ Soriano ~ Beth Bryan & Bernie Walp ~ Gerald Waxman ~ Miriam & Jeffrey North Wilson

ARTIST Ilana Moidel Acevedo ~ Laura Acevedo ~ Landon Ballesteros ~ Cyrus Bower ~ Roberta Brashear-Kaulfers ~ Desiree Moana Cruz ~ Carol Denker ~ Kanako Okita ~ Birch & Ruth Robison ~ Lisa Spain ~ Renee Wetzel

PERFORMER Loren Antolik ~ Annette & Brent Crozier ~ Sylvia Dahlby ~ June Dela Cruz ~ Greg Dencker ~ Glenn & Charlene Fernandez ~ Marnie Honeycutt ~ John Kooistra ~ Mark Lewis ~ Randal McEndree ~ Barbara G. Moir ~ Karen Moore ~ Jane Panek ~ Ray Ryan ~ Dennis Scarla ~ Geoff Schiller ~ Nadia Schlosser ~ Kenith Simmons ~ Neva Supe-Roque ~ Janet Taylor ~ Gary Young

STAGEHAND Rachel Edwards ~ Tiffany Edwards Hunt ~ Jo-Lyn Mehau ~ Warren Mehau, Jr. ~ Mikala Thomas

PARTICIPATING Marlise Ahuna ~ Noam Akiba-Hajim ~ Alston Albarado ~ Ricky Alvarez ~ Allan Anderson ~ Sequoia Anderson ~ Norman Arancon ~ Lowden Borgens ~ Elsa Annabelle Burbank ~ Gazza Burdulis ~ Celaney Carpenter ~ Cori Dela Cruz ~ Tyler Dela Cruz ~ Joseph DeVasto ~ Joseph Gardner ~ Maja Gonja ~ Nikki Gour ~ Apollo Harris ~ Bridge Hartman ~ Kala Hernandez ~ Barbara Johnson ~ Alya-Joy Kanehailua ~ John Kea ~ Michelle Kratel ~ Malia Kusch ~ Glenn & Salomé Lagman ~ Sawyer Lewis ~ Lizby ~ Brennan Low ~ Erin McClure ~ Iris Eve McPherson ~ Michael Meyer ~ Autumn Miyares-Thompson ~ Sharyse Molina ~ James Henry Kuliaikapono O’Connor ~ Stephen Richmond ~ Robin Lei Rihl ~ Helie Rock ~ Pepe Romero ~ Jasper Rose ~ Zoe Rose ~ Phil Russell ~ Alisha Sako ~ Douglas S. Scheer ~ Heather Sexton ~ Samantha Shea ~ Erin Smith ~ Michael Steele ~ Shari Steele ~ Michael Kealoha Stevens ~ Kelly Stuart ~ Lisa Katherine Taylor ~ Theon Weber ~ Hank Widdecombe ~ Catherine Williams ~ Naomi Wilson ~ Cathy Young

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