By Dana Rapisardi
Reporter

RUTHERFORD — Next Stage Ensemble presented Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” at the Hutzel Band Shell in Lincoln Park on July 11. This troupe of 11 young actors comprise the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey’s 2006 summer touring company, who offer free and very lively performances of classic plays by the great playwrights in venues such as community centers, hospitals, schools and public parks.

Presenting an abridged text of Shakespeare’s famous last play, the ensemble’s performers told the story of a usurped duke-turned-sorcerer, who, with his daughter, encounters his former enemies after they are shipwrecked on his enchanted island.

Using simple costumes and minimal props, the play’s often fantastic spectacles were staged to maximum effect, including the opening scene’s shipwreck in a violent storm and the later dramatic appearance of a harpy, with huge red wings hovering over the stage to the sound of thunder.

Through a sometimes very competitive process, aspiring actors from all over the country, and even other countries, get selected for this ensemble.

Backstage after the performance, one of the cast described the last steps for those who will finally make it onto the stage.

“We all audition to get into the group not knowing what parts we’re going to play,” said Todd Quick, who had two roles in the night’s play, one role being The Tempest’s infamous Caliban, for which he donned a grotesque mask.

“We spent about a week at the theater in Madison (where STNJ is located) doing workshops. At the end of that week, we auditioned for and got our specific roles,” Quick said.

Then came the really hard work. “We have about 2-1/2 weeks to learn two shows,” said Otis Cotton, who played the lead role of Prospero, the usurped duke who’s learned to conjure, commanding the stage with his magic mantle and staff.

“We do about 60 performances from June until August,” added Jake O’Conner, who played Ferdinand, the charming prince who wins the love of Prospero’s daughter, bringing about the play’s climactic reconciliation.

Often the troupe performs more than once a day. “This afternoon we did ‘Comedy of Errors’ (this season’s second play) in an outdoor show at Greystone Park,” said Monal Pathak, of India, in the role of one of Shakespeare’s most exotic characters, the spirit Ariel, a genie-like being whom Pathak played with a gymnast’s grace, at times seeming to defy gravity.

Despite their status as student actors, the cast left their audience dazzled and entertained.

“It’s amazing what you can do with a minimalist set and small cast. You get drawn in,” said one audience member, seated on a blanket among others who’d combined watching the play with celebrating someone’s birthday.

“It was hilarious, when they were talking about the ‘strange noises’ and there was a plane going by,” said another, referring to the actor playing Caliban, who had gestured to the jet roaring overhead just as he spoke scripted lines concerning the enchanted island’s “strange noises.”

“I just moved to Rutherford,” another member of the party said. “I can’t wait to see more.”

While the party-goers enjoyed their cupcakes, the cast dismantled the set, packed it into their vehicles and moved on.