The Carthage Theatre Department presents The Clamour of Rooks Feb. 1, 2013, in Ireland, and Feb. ...
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Nineteen Carthage theatre students traveled to Ireland in January to perform an original play they helped create on Ireland’s oldest stage.

The students performed “A Clamour of Rooks” by Irish playwright Martin Maguire at the Smock Alley Theatre, the oldest theatre in Ireland. The project was part of Carthage’s January Term and New Play Initiative. The students, along with Carthage Theatre Professor Neil Scharnick, were in Ireland Jan. 21-Feb. 2.

The Smock Alley Theatre is one of Europe’s landmark theatres. Believed to be lost to history, a full archaeological excavation in 2009 uncovered the theatre’s original foundation. Over the past decade, efforts were undertaken to restore the theatre that was originally commissioned by King Charles II.

The Carthage students were the first Americans to ever perform on the Smock Alley stage.

Carthage students worked with Smock Alley Theatre director Patrick Sutton to help create “A Clamour of Rooks.” Mr. Sutton, head of the Gaiety School of Acting—The National Theatre School of Ireland, led a fall workshop at Carthage in which students developed characters and ideas for the play.

The American debut of “A Clamour of Rooks” was 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15. 

The following students traveled to Ireland as part of the Smock Alley Project:

  • Brea Beelow ’13, of Mundelein, Ill.
  • Dan Brennan ’14, of Lisle, Ill.
  • Jane Burkitt ’14, of St. Paul, Minn.
  • Lexi Cairo ’13, of Romeoville, Ill.
  • Brian Cherry ’13, of Elgin, Ill.
  • Lauren Eastman ’13, of Lincoln, Neb.
  • Kelly Field ’15, Johnsburg, Ill.
  • Shannon Fox ’13, of Geneseo, Ill.
  • Amanda Garrigan ’15, of Palos Park, Ill.
  • Rose Grizzell ’15, of Naperville, Ill.
  • Ashley Hall ’13, of Menasha, Wis.
  • Spencer Jacobsen ’15, of Rockford, Ill.
  • Alex Johnson ’15, of Cottage Grove, Minn.
  • Kathiamarice Lopez ’15, of Kenosha, Wis.
  • Courtney Matula ’14, of Hastings, Minn.
  • Nicole Middleton ’15 of Elwood Park, Ill.
  • Emily Moritz ’15, of Burbank, Ill.
  • Mikaley Osley ’13, of Centennial, Colo.
  • Elodie Senetra ’13, of Pleasant Prairie, Wis.