North Kitsap Options Alumni return for ‘Hamlet’

What began as an after school acting group transformed into a production company dedicated to the works of William Shakespeare. Comprised of North Kitsap Options Alumni, the Changeling Shakespeare Company has brought the works of Shakespear to the North Kitsap community off and on for about 10 years. Starting Aug. 18, the Options graduates will return to the area for a production of “Hamlet,” and hope to take full advantage of the Port Gamble Theater.

“(The company) looked at a couple other places, but it’s exciting that we’re going to be in the newly opened theater,” producer Kendal Peiguss said. “The location is great.”

Peiguss, 21, who will play Hamlet, began acting in the Options program’s drama workshops at about age 10. Though she now studies public relations and marketing at (insert college in Boston), she said the drama program integrated in Options left her with more than fond memories. Learning how to communicate and work as a team was invaluable, she said. Peiguss described herself as “shy,” but after her studies in Options, she left as an “excellent communicator.”

The drama program was built up by Bob Deweese, now retired from the North Kitsap School District. Drama is now incorporated into all Option’s classrooms, each class producing at least one play per year. Peiguss said the production of “Hamlet” is a way to honor Deweese’s work in the Options program. Deweese is also directing the show.

Though the company performs multiple Shakespeare plays, Peiguss said “Hamlet” was chosen because it explores the human psyche and incorporates aspects of human life that most people can relate to. The actors will speak using Old English, but even if audience members do not understand all the language, the stage acting and character interaction will draw them in, she said.

Actors range from ages 14 to 22. The membership of Changeling morphed as students graduated, but this cast is mostly those who have stuck with the production company. Many alumni are traveling from around the West Coast and the country to be a part of the play.

Because The Roving Players are holding “The Mousetrap” in the Theater until Aug. 14, the Changeling crew must make do to rehearse at a private residence. Making rehearsal more difficult was the cast could not begin until everyone could get together. Peiguss said everyone has their lines down, it’s really just the stage acting left to practice.

“We’re doing intensive all-day rehearsals,” she said.

The cast begins rehearsal about 7:30 a.m. and ends in the evening; sometime around 8 p.m.

Not able to fill the theater until Aug. 15, Peiguss said everyone is excited to act in the newly renovated Port Gamble Theater, which reopened this year for the first time in 60 years.

“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to work in (Port Gamble Theater),” she said. “We’ve done (the play) in small classroom theaters and we’ve managed. So having more space will give us more options.”