Steven Fiske, a vocal performance major at Blair School of Music and a Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholar, plays one of the principal supporting characters in Much Ado About Nothing, the Nashville Shakespeare Festival’s 2012 summer production at Centennial Park.
Fiske, of Franklin, Tenn., was selected for the role of Claudio, whom he describes as “a young man who is somewhat naïve, tender in life experiences and trying to figure out who he is.” Fiske noted that Claudio is someone whom many college students could relate to at this time in their lives. “We hopefully learn from our bad decisions when we’re young,” he said.
Nashville Shakespeare Festival Artistic Director Denice Hicks has set the Bard’s story, an enduring audience favorite among the playwright’s comedies, in the post-World War II era. “The end of World War II and the beginning of the baby boom is the perfect setting for this beloved story where love triumphs over adversity,” Hicks said.
Fiske, who has a passionate interest in both music and theater, had never performed Shakespeare prior to his successful audition this past spring for the festival’s Apprentice Company. Those selected, who must be at least 13 years old, undergo an intensive two-week training program before performing in the Shakespeare in the Park production. The Apprentice Company is designed to enhance understanding of Shakespearean works as well as train future leaders in Nashville’s cultural community.
Fiske, who is a sophomore, is considering graduate school in music or theater after college, but he might move directly into performing. “My dream is to be a performer in musical or opera theater,” he said.
Fiske has opportunities to sing in the production, which features original music by Tom McBryde and Janet McMahan. The set is modeled after a 1940s supper club with live music every night.
Much Ado About Nothing runs Thursdays through Sundays and Labor Day Monday through Sept. 16. Pre-show entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Centennial Park bandshell. There is no admission charge, but donations are greatly appreciated.
For more information, visit www.nashvilleshakes.org or call (615) 255-2273.