Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Spring 2015 | Page 13

The Bedell family, with deep TA theater roots, is still taking to the stage Call it a Shakespeare remix. Thornton Academy faculty David Hanright and Chris Queally spent months and hundreds of hours taking a three-and-ahalf-hour long “Hamlet” script and cutting it down to an original, half-hour performance. They asked a member of a multi-generational TA family—Mark Bedell, Director of the Academy of Staged Combat— to help students prepare for it. Bedell spent a day in Garland Auditorium with students leading “sword play workshops.” The TA Players presented their cut of William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” as they competed in, Two of Bedell’s siblings played in the band, while six of them and hosted, the Maine Regional One Act Festival on participated in theater with Mr. Woodward. “Even I performed in March 6 and March 7. Carousel at TA in 1971. They needed a kid for a role and I got it. Mr. Woodward influenced my brothers (Brian ‘78, in particular) Theater Director David Hanright said, “We kept to go into theatre. In turn, my brother influenced me to go into the dramatic arc and the iconic lines – Hamlet’s theatre and film. That has been my life’s work.” soliloquies – intact.” While previous “cuts” of Shakespeare plays have extracted one entire act from the play, “this was a restructuring of the play and reordering of the scenes,” Queally said. Mark Bedell explained how his sword play workshops at TA connect to his passion, “It’s all storytelling. I’m also a playwright and screenwriter. Directing fights is the same as writing. It’s all about telling a story to the audience.” Bedell family roots in TA arts go way back. “Our family has lived in Saco for a long, long time. My great-great-grandmother and great-great-aunt graduated from TA in 1894 and 1899. My mother’s father and his brother attended TA, but neither graduated as they had to be sent off to find work. My mother, Patricia Hobbs Bedell ‘51 and all her sisters went to TA. I am the youngest of eight kids.... all of whom went to TA, except me.” “I teach staged combat all over the country at colleges, universities and high schools alike. That is not, however, the meat and potatoes of my work. I fight direct and stunt coordinate feature films, television, documentaries, plays, opera and live stunt shows. I also build specialty weapons and props and special effects for amusement parks, stunt shows, haunts and shows all over the world with my other company Action Point Entertainment.” Bedell’s workshops must have hit their mark. At the Maine Regional One Act Festival, the TA Players’ performance of Hamlet—which earned a Silver or 2nd place distinction and several student commendations—also earned a commendation for the “sword play fight scene” which students choreographed. Mark’s siblings include: Stephen ‘70, David ‘71, Debra BedellEmmanuelle ‘ 72, Carol Bedell Braley ‘74, Brian ‘78 (deceased in 1994), Wendy ‘80 (deceased in 1987), Linda Bedell ‘81 (deceased in 2006). Alumni Jazz Musicians Invited to 15th Annual Jazz a la Mode Event Thornton Academy Jazz Band will celebrate its 15th annual Jazz a la Mode this year on May 20th. Jazz a la Mode has become a beloved end-of-year tradition. The musical event will feature multiple sets, featuring seniors and alumni. Were you part of the What is Hip, Feelin’ the Funk years, or the Lazy Sunday Steppers? Join us to re-live the glory days by sitting in with the band, by contacting Ms. With, also known as Jennifer Witherell-Stebbins at [email protected]. Following tradition, pie and ice cream will be served. Did you know? The TA Jazz Band has enjoyed a year of great musical performances, including their unprecedented 2nd Place finish in their class at the Berklee Jazz Festival and 3rd Place finish at the Maine State Jazz Festival! They also earned I (one) ratings at the District and State Festivalscongratulations! 13