Locals Star In Rebel Shakespeare's Othello

When Rebel Shakespeare's production of Othello opens  in Salem on Friday, six of the cast members will be representing Marblehead.

Notably,  Marblehead residents Clare Dingle and Emilie Soghomonian will share the lead role of Desdamona (each playing five of the 10 shows). 

"It's been a challenge getting to know the characters," said Dingle, 15. "Desdamona is an honest and chaste person."

Both Dingle and Songhomonia, like a lot of the cast, have been involved in Rebel Shakespeare Productions for nearly 8 years. 

"There is a lot to do in a short amount of time, but the payoff is huge," Henry MacLean, 15, of Marblehead, said. 

The Rebel Shakespeare Company started 20 years ago by Keri Cahill in Manchester-By-The-Sea. The company moved to Fort Sewall before settling at their new home on Winter Island in Salem.

The "teen intensive troupe" rehearses every day for two weeks from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The company also has other programs for younger children and tweens.

Starting Friday, the company will go on a 10-stop tour around the region. Each of the performances are free and open to the public. Friday's opening will be at the Salem Atheneum before the cast travels to Danvers and Amesbury over the weekend. 

Directors Heather Robb and Darcy Fowler said this year's talent is incredible. Both New York actors, musicians and playwrights, the pair said part of the fun is mentoring the teens.

"The talent is astronomical, it's off the charts," Robb said. Fowler, a Rebel Shakespeare, veteran added, "It's amazing their impulses, many of them are better than the actors in New York. They are open, committed and I hope to carry a little of that back to New York with me."

While the weather has been stifling, the cast said the process has been fun and they are looking forward to opening.

"We're excited to tour," Zoe Weems, 17, said. Her cast mate MacLean added, "It's fun to bring the show to people who have never seen your work."

Robb said the cast's hard work has reminded her what she loves about the arts.

"It reminds me what I loved (about the arts) before it was a career," Robb said. "It allows us to reconnect with what made us love theatre and what was so illuminating to us;  you get to know a character and in the process, learn about yourself."

Cast List

Desdemona, Emilia and Iago are double-cast

Madeline Goldberg - Emilia (Marblehead)
Clare Dingle - Desdemona
Seth Finkelstein - Brabantio (Marblehead)
Jabari Tovar - Othello
Ryan Buchanan - Iago
Emilie Soghomonian - Desdemona (Marblehead)
Zoe Weems - Duchess (Marblehead)
David Allen - Montano (Marblehead)
Jackson Martel - Iago
Henry MacLean - Cassio (Marblehead)
Pat Dunning - Roderigo
Sophia Nardone - Emilia
Emily Kent - Lodovico
Meryl Schultz - Bianca

Schedule

All shows are free to the public

July 23 5 p.m., Friday, Salem Athenaeum, Salem

July 24 5 p.m., Saturday, Endicott Park, Danvers

July 25 5 p.m., Sunday, The Millyard, Amesbury

July 26, Monday - no show

July 27 5 p.m., Tuesday, Winter Island, Salem

July 28 1 p.m., Wednesday, *Kids' Workshop at 11 a.m., Stevens Memorial Library, North Andover

July 28 7 p.m., Wednesday, Winnekenni Castle, Haverhill

July 29, Thursday 11 a.m. lunch with camp *12pm Kids' workshop
1 p.m. performance, Mary Jane Lee Park, Prince & Palmer Streets
Salem

July 30 5 p.m., Friday, Salem Common Playground Salem

July 31 5 p.m., Saturday, Halibut Point State Reservation, Rockport

August 1 5 p.m., Sunday, Kids' Workshop before show, Arlington Shakespeare Festival