By day, junior mechanical engineering major Eric Scherbarth lives in the world of engineering, from a full course load to daily work on the Terps Racing Formula SAE Team’s car.
But by night, Scherbarth abandons the formulas and calculations for the mechanics of playing a Roman general as he takes on the title role in Maryland Shakespeare Players’ fall play Titus Andronicus.
And within the production, Scherbarth isn’t the only non-theatre major — Titus cast members’ majors range from mechanical engineering to computer science to philosophy to vocal performance. This multidisciplinary setting results in a well-rounded ensemble, freshman philosophy major Zak Glennon said.
“You have the stereotypic theater aspect — people who are out there and interesting — and you also have different people,” said Glennon, who plays Saturninus.
Sophomore classical languages and literature and theatre major Richard Hall said he saw experience and major as often irrelevant during rehearsals.
“Some people, this is their first show, and they’re doing better than I’ve seen actors who’ve been doing shows for years,” Hall said.
The entirely student-run Players, which began in 2007, perform one Shakespearean play each semester, and this fall’s Titus challenges the group to recreate one of the most violent plays in history.
The Players’ modern interpretation of Titus chronicles the cycle of revenge between Titus Andronicus, general of the Roman army, and Tamora, the Queen of the Goths. The massacres, abuses and heart-wrenching tragedy is brutal — critic S. Clarke Hulse averages out the atrocities in Titus to 5.2 per act, or one for every 97 lines.
But despite the multiple murders, the play emphasizes themes of humanity, Glennon said.
“It also has those moments of just human strength,” Glennon said. “There are still shining moments where you feel a deep connection to these characters on a human level.”
Sophomore theatre and communication major Christopher Robeck said that because of the audience’s connection and emotional investment in the characters, the brutality toward them will result in a feeling of “guilty humor.”
“It’s one of those things where you find yourself laughing, and then you hate yourself for laughing at it,” said Robeck, who is playing Chiron.
The ideas of dark humor in Titus Andronicus culminate in a simple satisfaction with the human race, he said.
“Life isn’t fair or correct or right,” Robeck said. “Sometimes, all you can do is just laugh at the absurdity.”
The Maryland Shakespeare Players will perform William Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2 and 7:30 in Stamp Student Union’s Atrium. Admission is free.
