Trinity University’s Department of Human Communication and Theatre presents its second show of the 2012-2013 season with “La Tempesta,” a recreation of Shake-speare’s “The Tempest.”La Tempesta, was adapted by Roberto Prestigiacomo, associate professor of human communica-tion and theatre, and staged in collaboration with Teatro del Drago, an Italian family-run theatre company composed of Andrew Monticelli, Mauro Monticelli, and Roberta Colombo. The Italian troupe came to Trinity as guests of the Stieren Arts Enrichment Series. Prestigiacomo first met the Italian theatre company 15 years ago and was captivated by their work and tradition. Teatro del Drago, from Ravenna Italy, was started in 1820 by Ariodante Monticelli and has been staging productions using puppets and marionettes for five generations.Since that first meeting, Prestigiacomo and Teatro del Drago wanted to work on a project toge-ther but did not find the right time until this year. With support from the Stieren Arts Enrichment Series, made possible by Jane and the late Arthur Stieren of San Antonio, the Italian theatre com-pany was able to take up residence in Trinity’s human communication and theatre department. This would be first theatrical production by Teatro del Drago in the United States.

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A unique and positive experience for the studentsInterview by Russell Guerrero ‘83November 5, 2012

The students starring in La Tempesta were delighted to be part of a production that had roots in traditional Italian theatre.“I am taking a lot out of this, ”said Gonzales. “I am learning so much and adding it to my theater training. It’s so unique and so elaborate-everything that we are doing. I am really grateful for this experience.”Amy Rossini, a first-year student from Dallas, said she was excited and felt very lucky to be a part of the show. “At first, I was intimidated. It was unlike anything I have been a part of,” said Rossini, who added that the members of Teatro del Drago soon put her at ease. Still, “whenever they said anything, it sounded intense because it was in Italian,” said Rossini, laughing.Senior Evan Brooks also found the work rewarding. As the assistant director, Brooks was in charge of pro-ducing the shadow work used in the show. “It’s something we haven’t done at Trinity before. It brings an element to the stage that is so unique and so powerful. It’s such a striking visual image that is so unique and so powerful,” he said.Brooks said working with Teatro del Drago was one more great opportunity he has experienced while a theatre major at Trinity. He previously worked with director Alan Muraoka, who appeared as an actor on Broadway and on many television shows, including a recurring role on “Sesame Street.” Brooks also wor-ked with Carl Weber, a world-renowned director who had worked with the legendary German director Ber-tolt Brecht. “I can’t imagine any other institution being able to bring guest artists like the ones who have come to Trinity,” said Brooks. “These fantastic artists are really masters of their craft.”

Summoning a magical ‘Tempest’By Deborah MartinThursday, November 8, 2012 MySa

Dallas Atkins spent part of a recent rehearsal for “La Tempesta” working on trudging.He wasn’t doing it solely for himself — he was trying to make it look like the puppet he was working with was trudging, burdened by the weight of the wood he was toting. And he was having a tough time of it.Mauro Monticelli popped up on stage to give him a hand. Monticelli took up the puppet and moved it across the stage, making it seem as if it was moving under its own steam. When it stopped and gazed out into the theater, it looked like it was breathing heavily. It would not have been surprising to see beads of sweat appear on its clay brow.The brief episode illustrated the difference between student — that would be Atkin, who is studying at Trinity University — and master — that would be Monticelli, a member of Teatro del Drago puppet theater.Giving students a chance to learn from the masters is the point behind “La Tempesta” (“The Tempest”). The production of Shakespeare’s tale is being created by director Roberto Prestigiacomo, Trinity students and Teatro del Drago, an internationally renowned troupe based in Ravenna, Italy.It premieres this weekend at Trinity’s Stieren Theater.

The play, set on an island, follows deposed duke Prospero’s efforts to use sorcery to restore his beloved daughter Miranda to her rightful place in Milan. Along the way, she also finds romance, another result of her father’s manipulations.

Prospero’s flashy witchcraft — among other things, he can control the weather, and summons a storm to cause a shipwreck — make it a natural for Teatro del Drago’s intensely visual approach, Prestigiacomo said.“‘Tempest’ is a very magical show about love,” he said. “There is magic in the work that they do.”

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The company is a Monticelli family enterprise dating back to 1820. The puppets are handcrafted, Monticelli said, using a lengthy process that has been handed down through generations.Five company members, including brothers Mauro Monticelli and Andrea Monticelli, are working on “La Tempesta.” Andrea and his wife and fellow company member Roberta Colombo brought along their 10-year-old daughter, Irene Monticelli.Whether Irene eventually becomes a member of the company will be entirely her choice, Colombo said, though, Prestigiacomo teased, “If she becomes a lawyer or a doctor, they will be disappointed.”Whatever she does later in life, Irene already has a U.S. theater credit. She appeared in “Pinocchio,” which the company staged for two nights last month at Trinity to give San Antonio audiences a taste of what they do. Their version of the story unfolded almost entirely visually: The snippets of dialogue were gibberish. In addition to the puppets, the troupe used shadows, light, color and music to tell the tale.They’ll do the same with “La Tempesta,” Prestigiacomo said: “In this show, Shakespeare’s text is enriched by the images.”The Trinity students involved in the show took a five-week workshop ahead of Teatro’s arrival so that they could hit the ground running. Even so, there was some trepidation when they first handled the puppets.“At the beginning, they were a little afraid of the puppets,” Colombo said. “Now, they kiss them, they dance with them, they take care of them like a baby.”

The company has performed all over the world. Before they arrived here, they were in China; after they leave, they’re slated to perform in Spain. But their residency at Trinity marks their U.S. debut.Prestigiacomo, a native of Rome who now teaches theater at Trinity, has been trying to make that happen for a long time.“This project has been in the works for 15 years,” he said. “We have been talking to them about the possi-bility of bringing them to the United States, but it was never the right moment. This is the right moment.”Once the production wraps up, “La Tempesta” will go into the company’s repertoire. Prestigiacomo hopes it will be staged at the Ravenna Festival, the famed arts celebration held every summer in the company’s hometown.He and the company members are also hoping that it will be the first of many collaborations between the university and the puppeteers.

“This will be a bridge between Trinity and Teatro del Drago,” Prestigiacomo said.

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Teatro del Drago

Kate Cuellar, with Miranda, and Dallas Atkins, with Ferdinand, rehearse “La Tempesta” for the Teatro del Drago adaption of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” at Trinity University.

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Teatro del Drago

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