(Madison, NJ—April 27, 2017) Judges at the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey have awarded High Tech High School a Certificate of Recognition for its participation in the theater’s annual festival, Shakespeare: NJ, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High school.
Students in Kerri Ann Murphy’s Shakespeare course also received commendations for interpreting one of the Bard’s most complex plays, Measure for Measure, and cleverly conveying the emotional depth and complexity inherent in this Jacobean comedy. Considered a “problem play” due to its dark elements, Measure for Measure examines the theme of merciful justice while exploring the fine line between vice and virtue.
High Tech junior Amirah Johnson of Jersey City received an Excellence in Acting certificate for her moving performance of the play’s heroine, Isabella. For his comedic portrayal of Lucio, Secaucus resident Sebastian Martinez earned the Silly Sinner certificate. Last but not least, in a last-minute turn as the Provost, Tige Anderson of Hoboken received recognized as the 11thHour Hero. For depicting Angelo’s internal conflict, West New York resident Ambar Grullon earned a Lascivious Logic certificate.
“When performing Shakespeare, I’m able to link his timeless plays to adolescence,” says Grullon, who participated in last year’s festival as well, “and which adolescence hasn’t felt like an outcast?”
The HCST Foundation, once more, provided a generous grant to make High Tech’s participation in this year’s Shakespeare: NJ possible.
Sponsored in part by the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, Shakespeare: NJ brings together high school and elementary students from all over the Garden State to celebrate the Bard’s work. The festival encourages students to explore the richness of Shakespeare’s language through performance. Not a competition, the festival simply gathers students together to delight in each other’s Shakespearean performances.