Spicer was excited about the number of underclassmen (specifically eighth and ninth graders) that decided to audition, and was especially impressed with the overall talent that showed up. “The most important thing for the students is how they handle the language,” says Spicer. “Shakespeare shouldn’t be pretentious or inaccessible.”

Rather than take a traditional approach to the play, Spicer has been toying with two different interpretations. One would include futurist creatures affected by radiation, the other, a town full of Hollywood exiles. Affecting her decision is the Folger Shakespeare Festival, which Mason will again participate in this year using As You Like It, and the fact that the spring play will be the Cappies show for George Mason. During the Cappies performance, dozens of student critics from around the area will come to Mason to watch and review the play, making it eligible for awards later presented at the Kennedy Center.

Hopeful that they can earn a part in the spring play As You Like It, these four students acted out their selected passage during this week’s auditions. From left to right are freshman Martha Grace Burkey, and sophomores Laura Peppe, Jack Brorsen, and Janine Baumgardner. (Photo by Sarah Van Buren)