About this project:
The production of Shakespeare’s The Two Gentlemen of Verona was originally part of a summer-long residency with the Great River Shakespeare Festival in Winona, MN, where UT Knoxville’s Graduate MFA Acting Company also understudied roles in The Comedy of Errors and Romeo and Juliet. This production was created to be performed in intimate community settings, allowing actors and audiences to be close to one another in space. By using simple storytelling techniques, the beauty of Shakespeare’s poetry, wordplay, story, and characters comes to life—becoming as accessible and fun as it was originally meant to be.
Special thank you to the Knoxville Museum of Art and Hi-Wire Brewery for their partnership. Don’t miss this unique and engaging production!
About The Two Gentlemen of Verona
Best friends Valentine and Proteus travel from Verona to Milan to become gentlemen. But the course of growing up never did run smooth. Amid competitors, clowns, parents, and one unforgettable dog, these young friends—and the tenacious women they love—stumble through romance, betrayal, and reconciliation.
At turns silly and profound, Shakespeare’s first comedy asks timeless questions of youth: Who must I become to get what I want in life? Do I stay true to myself or shape myself to the world? Is what I want now what I’ll want tomorrow?
FREE Performances
- FRIDAY, AUGUST 15
8:30 – 10:00 pm
Hi-Wire Brewery
2020 Barber St., Knoxville, TN 37920
… - FRIDAY, AUGUST 22
3:30 – 5:00 pm
UT – 21st Century Plaza
(Rain location: Student Union Rm: 362BC)
… - WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27
2:00 – 4:30 pm
Knoxville Museum of Art
…June and Rob Heller Garden
1050 Worlds Fair Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37916
(Rain Location: Bailey Hall)
“As they begin their third and final year of training, these actors are coming out of a season of tremendous growth and learning. They spent all summer at Great River Shakespeare Festival, where this production premiered, completely immersed in a total of 16 plays from Shakespeare’s canon – understudying two productions, putting on this play, and working on scenes from 13 other texts in community performances,” said Katie Lupica, Director and Associate Artistic Director. “It’s been such a joy to see them put their learning into action, as well as bringing their full playfulness to perhaps Shakespeare’s most youthful comedy.”
Artistic Team
Directed by Katie Lupica
Voice and Text Coaching by
…Katie Cunningham
…and Stephanie Lambourn
Costumes by Matthew Carl
Set/Props Design
…and Stage-Managed
…by Rachel Winenger
Sound Design by
…Matthew Tibbs
Music Direction by
…Clay Cooper
Intimacy Direction by
…Kara Eggers
Fight Direction by
…Doug Sholz-Carlson
The Cast
Sammy Pontello
…Antonio, Lance, Duke, Host, Eglamour (as Lance), Outlaw
Denzel Dejournette
…Valentine
Develyn Jayan
…Julia, Outlaw
Yashashvi Choudhary
…Sylvia, Lucetta, Outlaw
Clay Cooper
…Proteus, Outlaw
Gabriela Bulka
…Speed, Pantino, Thurio
Gabriela Bulka
Gabi is an actress, dancer, and movement director. Originally from Krakow, Poland, she is currently pursuing an MFA in Acting at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Gabi is an alumna of the two-year Conservatory at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York, the Ballet School of Krakow, and holds a degree in Intellectual Property Law. Recent theatre credits include The Play That Goes Wrong (Sandra), A Christmas Carol (Ghost of Christmas Past, Mrs. Cratchit), and Cry It Out (Jessie) at Clarence Brown Theatre. She has been involved in new play development as movement director and assistant choreographer, including NYC premieres of Charlie (TheatreLab) and Hamlet Split Apart (The Flea Theatre) with RJ Theatre Company.
Yashashvi Choudhary
Yashashvi is an MFA Acting student at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. She comes from the capital of her country New Delhi, India, where she received her B.A. (honours) in English Literature from the University of Delhi. She is a trained belly dancer and a black belt in Taekwondo. Recent credits include The Play That Goes Wrong (Joanna/Charles Haversham), A Christmas Carol (Mrs. Cratchit), and Cry It Out (Adrienne).
Clay Cooper
Clay is a graduate student who is about to begin his third and final year at the University of Tennessee. Originally from Pinehurst, North Carolina, Clay holds a BA in Theatre Education from Appalachian State University.
Denzel Dejournette
A man living his wildest dreams through storytelling! www.denzeldejournette.com
Develyn Jayan
From the south of India to the south of the United States, Develyn comes with stories to tell and ears to listen. An Indian classical dancer and an actor, Develyn has been using the stage as a form of expression since she could remember. She is so excited for this new opportunity to share more stories with Great River!
Sammy Pontello
Sammy is an MFA Acting Candidate at the University of Tennessee and is thrilled to be joining to the Great River Shakespeare Festival community! They’ve worked regionally as an actor, director, coach, and teaching artist with Florida Studio Theatre, Orlando Shakes, Texas Shakespeare Festival, and the Clarence Brown Theatre. Favorite previous roles include Chris, The Play That Goes Wrong; Ebenezer Scrooge, A Christmas Carol; Man #1, Knoxville (CBT); Beadle Bamford, Sweeney Todd (TSF). IG: @sjpactor | sammypontello.com
Community Partners:
