“It’s remarkable how Shakespeare still resonates today, and I think it’s because Shakespeare in the end is always about character,” said English teacher Linda Burns, the director of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” at OPRF in the Little Theatre. “His characters are whole human beings with full stories and desires.”

The Tempest, believed to be Shakespeare’s last play, follows the story of Prospero and his daughter Miranda when they are shipwrecked on an island after escaping banishment. The play has everything from magic and spirits to revenge and forgiveness.

“The basic theme of it (“The Tempest”) is forgiveness and understanding,” said senior Emery Brandhorst. “I think that OPRF especially has a hard time with forgiveness and understanding. So I think it’s definitely a pervasive message…it’s really hard but we have to remember to be forgiving of each other’s faults.”

Sophomore Jude Kennedy, who played the role of Ferdinand, Miranda’s lover and the Prince of Naples, said his favorite part of the show was “being able to run through the theater because I have a scene where I am just running through the whole place, which is really fun.”

For junior Alyssa Schulz, who plays the role of Elonzo the king, The Tempest was a great way to get involved at OPRF.

“I auditioned because I wanted to be more a part of my school and I thought ‘The Tempest’ would be a good way to do that because I enjoy acting,” said Schulz.

“The Tempest” was first performed in 1611, and has been performed many times since. Something that makes OPRF’s adaptation different is the addition of a live band and incorporation of OPRF-themed items.

“We (had) a rock band on stage. They (were) terrific. Every time they (started) up, the music just (lifted) the whole show,” said Burns. “I really (wanted) kids to look for things that they (recognized) from the school in the show, we (were) trying to pull in as many things as possible.”

The band consisted of senior Violet Buckner (drums), senior Lola Reech (bass), and senior Taron Pellettieri (guitar).

“Shakespeare wrote (lyrics to) two songs to go with the play. So Lola and Taron composed music for the two songs, then Lola wrote the melody for the lyrics,” said Buckner. “In the play we (helped create) the huge storm and sometimes people (fell) asleep to Taron and Lola playing softer music to make it seem like a lullaby.”

“Everyone is so nice,” said Kennedy. “I had really bad social anxiety last year and everyone is super duper supportive and everyone wants to see you succeed. The theater kids are very, very nice and open and welcoming and fun to be around.”

“We have all been quarantined from each other for years now,” said Burns. “Live performance is something we haven’t been able to experience because of this. I wanted to celebrate the return of live performance. Theater is a way to connect.

“We’ve been inspired by this phrase from ‘Station 11’ (an HBO show released in 2021), ‘survival is insufficient.’ Survival has been insufficient for us. We missed each other, we needed to connect.”