“Measure for Measure” by William Shakespeare will soon premiere at St. Edward’s University’s Mary Moody Northen Theatre.

This production of a fairly obscure work from one of the most discussed English authors in academia is part of the 40th anniversary season of the theater.

While most students have encountered Shakespeare during their academic career, “Measure for Measure” will be an opportunity to be engaged by one of his lesser-known darker comedies.

“It definitely has tragic elements,” said junior Hannah Fonder, who will play the role of Isabella. “[Director] Michelle Polgar has taken it in a modern context … the characters have depth and are still relatable to the real world.”

In fact, the play was chosen for its applicability to modern times.

“We were looking at the political, moral and economic landscape in our country and thinking about what might resonate with audiences,” Polgar said. “The election was still looming and we couldn’t predict the outcome, but rhetoric about the moral decay of our country was high.”

The relevance of this 400-year-old play to the world today only goes to show the timelessness of Shakespeare’s work.

“‘Measure for Measure’ was ripe for exploration,” Polgar said. 

Polgar believes theater is more than something to watch.  It is something to participate in and experience.

“There is nothing more powerful than connecting with others to unearth and share the human experience, and nothing more fulfilling than sharing that experience in a live theatrical event. Theater makes it possible for us to live a larger life, for each of us to have experiences outside of our day-to-day existence through watching others wrestle with great questions.”

The ultimate goal, however, is to entertain theater-goers. 

“[Performances] tie a lot of different aspects into one beautiful masterpiece that we get to share with the audience and hope that they get something out of the performance. It’s all about the audience,” Fonder said.

Fonder, a theater major, also emphasized the unified effort the entire ensemble has put forth in creating the show.

Polgar was also quick to credit those she has been strenuously working alongside with. 

“Sheila Gordon has been an amazing vocal coach, working tirelessly to help unearth the densely complicated language contained in much of the play,” Polgar said. “Kathryn Eader’s lights paint our poetic liminal space in shades that echo the emotional turmoil of the characters.” 

Polgar also cited Lisa Laratta for crafting a physical playing space, including an paper installation sculpture.

There is no art form quite like live theater Polgar said.

“The story unfolds in front of you moment to moment, and no matter how precisely it is planned and executed, there is a core relationship between the actor and audience that makes every action unique and special,” Polgar said.

Polgar believes theater is unique in that one can never exactly replicate it.

“It lives in a single point in time,” Polgar said.

“Measure for Measure” will run Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 2 p.m. from Feb. 14-24.

Student night is on Feb. 15 and Feb. 21, when St. Edward’s students, staff and faculty will be able to purchase their tickets for $8.