Elvis is alive. So is Shakespeare.
The St. Joseph-Ogden Drama Department is bringing the two icons back to life in this weekend’s performance of “All Shook Up.”
Inspired by Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” the “All Shook Up” performance follows Chad, a good-looking, motorcycle-riding, leather-jacketed roustabout, who roams from town-to-town with a guitar on his back.
Recently released from prison, Chad, played by Kabriel Schuster, brings his little Midwestern town to life through familiar songs like “Love Me Tender,” “Hound Dog” and “Don’t Be Cruel.
SJ-O freshman Anastasia Conerty plays the role of the glamorous mayor, Ms. Sandra.
Conerty has been acting since the age of 5, when she debuted on stage as a chorus girl in “A Christmas Carol,” at Parkland College. Later on, she played a butterfly and a cupcake in “Pinkalicious” and Helen in “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”
“What I love about being an actor is that I have the ability to be a completely different person. It’s nice being able to understand the motivations that people have for wanting to do certain things,” she said.
The actress, who has also been singing as long as she could talk, said that playing Ms. Sandra has helped her understand empathy in a new way.
“My character in the musical struggles with loneliness and not being able to find someone who truly cares about her, and it was a nice time understanding why she went about certain situations as she did,” Conerty said.
Being a freshmen in a lead role wasn’t always easy, though.
“Getting a lead role as a freshman is extremely unlikely, so when I found out I had scored one, I was ecstatic,” she said. “Some of the upperclassmen weren’t sure if I would be able to own up to my character, but I was able to show them that I can be professional and serious about my roles.”
Working through some additional stress, Conerty said that she wanted to step up to the plate for the upperclassmen with timing on songs and dances.
“It was taking me awhile to master those and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to do it,” Conerty said. ” I finally calmed down and realized that I shouldn’t stress myself out over something like that and that everything was going to be fine.
“Becoming my character was interesting because she was so unlike me in many ways. I knew if I didn’t fully develop her, I wouldn’t be able to perform as well as I could. I spent hours with friends discussing her backstory and how she felt, which was very exhausting, but completely worth it in the end.”
Being part of the SJ-O Drama Department has been a welcoming experience that has challenged her to think about her future.
“What I love about being in the St. Joseph Drama program are the wonderful and professional people I get to perform with. They make performing so much fun and worth it. We like to think of ourselves as a big family and are always there for each other.”
Playing the confident Ms. Sandra has helped Conerty gain confidence in herself.
“When I got to know her better and become her, I started using her confidence in my real life. I’m so happy because of it and it has even made me happier to be more confident,” she said.
It is a journey that Conerty is looking forward to exploring more.
“I’ve learned to always pursue what I love because that’s when you will truly be happy,” she said. “Acting, singing, and being with all of my drama friends is always the best part of my day. It brings me so much joy and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
“All Shook Up” will be performed at SJ-O at 7 p.m. on April 5 and 6, and at 2 p.m. on April 7. Tickets cost $8 for adults, $7 for students and $6 for senior citizens and children under 12. Tickets can be purchased from cast members or at the door the night of the performance for $1 more.
