The Alert will be presenting a series of essays written by local kids for the annual Bruce Catton Awards essay contest for ninth graders. Since Lakeside Shakespeare will give a preview performance of Romeo and Juliet tonight on Tank Hill, it seems fitting to begin with this essay by Brittanie Bower, about a memorable night involving the Bard. Brittanie enters tenth grade at Frankfort–Elberta High School this fall. Special thanks to FEAS teacher Rebecca Hubbard for facilitating this series!

SHAKESPEARE PLAY

By Brittanie Bower

I’ve never been known to go to a Shakespearean play. Never in a million years would I have thought of even going to one, but I guess that all changed last summer.

I was at the Frankfort beach lying on my towel next to my boyfriend at the time, both of us thinking of how beautiful the beach was. There were a lot of seagulls that day, chomping at the bit, trying to get a bite of our pizza, circling around us like lions waiting for the right moment to pounce. We looked at each other and started laughing. He thought that it would be funny to throw my sandwich to the devils. I just glared at him.  He then started laughing hysterically. I couldn’t stay “mad” at him. His laugh was too funny, so I started laughing.

Ten minutes later his mother showed up. It was hard to say goodbye. He looked at me and said, “Just to let you know, you’re coming with us to see the Hamlet play by Paul Oliver.”  I shot up into the air with excitement, and replied with an energetic “Yes!” I don’t really know why I said yes.  I mean I’ve never learned about Shakespeare, let alone “Hamlet.”  I was told that it was like “The Lion King,” so I knew it had to be good.

When we got there, there was a ton of people there.  You could just tell by my walk that I felt awkward.

Finally the play started.  It wasn’t like I thought it was going to be. The characters were all up in your face, leaving twists and turns. I felt kind of bad that I was asking Zoltan a lot of questions. Yet you can’t a hate a girl for trying to understand what is going on. When the break came, he explained everything to me.  Through the rest of it, I understood. The characters were so good that I literally started tearing up. When it was all over I was a changed girl. I had no idea how exhausted I was when it was done. I thanked them so much for bringing me and sharing this amazing experience with me.

I’ve got to say that was my most memorable and amazing day in Benzie County.