Mercy Plays Host to Irvington Shakespeare Company in a Performance Under the Stars

This summer, Mercy College hosted the Irvington Shakespeare Company (ISC) as it performed Shakespeare’s comedy, “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” in an outdoor production on the Dobbs Ferry Campus.

The sun was setting over the grassy lawn behind Verrazzano Hall as the audience brought chairs and blankets to enjoy theater under the stars. As the sky above the Hudson River darkened and the stage lights came up, the troupe of costumed players began reciting Shakespeare’s verses about a group of university students who decide to swear off dating to focus on their studies.

The performance, which was produced, directed and performed by members of ISC, was made possible through a partnership with Mercy College that has been thriving since 2017. Marc Palmieri, assistant professor, communication studies at Mercy College, helped forge the relationship with Irvington Town Hall Theatre with the original intent to provide Mercy students an authentic setting in which to practice their stage and technical skills. Right from the start, the mutual benefits of the partnership exceeded expectation. “Our students have secured volunteer opportunities and part-time jobs, and our student club showcases have been covered by local and national media,” Palmieri said. "Mercy’s work with ISC, an arts partner of Irvington Theatre, is a new extension of that original collaboration.”

School of Liberal Arts Dean Peter West, who threw his support behind the partnership from the beginning, said, “Mercy’s alliance with Irvington Shakespeare has led to mutually enriching opportunities, not just for the partners, but also for the community. Our two institutions have supported each other’s mission and enriched the surrounding community, and Mercy is becoming a recognized arts partner in this area.”

In exchange for hosting student showcases, Mercy provided ISC with free use of campus facilities during rehearsals of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. This past spring, the theater company returned to campus, this time performing “Acting Shakespeare,” a highly acclaimed play with international success. The summer production of “Love’s Labour’s Lost” was their third major collaboration.

In addition to growing Mercy’s reputation as a community theater venue, the partnership has also broadened the College’s reputation as a supporter of local arts and culture organizations. Kamran Saliani, ISC’s artistic director, said he appreciated the warm welcome and courteous support he and the company received from Mercy’s facilities and security staff.

The outdoor production was a first for both Mercy and the company. “Shakespeare is at its best when performed outdoors,” Saliani said. “The sky changing colors from dusk to evening was a perfect backdrop that brought out the beauty of the campus space. It was magical — for both the performers and the audience.”

According to Saliani, ISC’s mission is to enrich the community with theater that both teaches and entertains. “Shakespeare was a master of portraying, in an accessible way, the foibles of being human,” he said. With the world so fractured and exhausted by recent events, “it’s important to have stories that connect to humanity’s fundamental faults and fundamental goodness in ways that audiences can reflect on.”

“Mercy has always supported the arts in the surrounding community, but the partnership with Irvington Shakespeare has elevated Mercy’s role to a key player,” said West. “The College welcomes all members of the community to come here and enjoy public offerings that are right in their own back yard. We hope they’ll continue to join us for other activities and will consider the College a place to turn to for enrichment.”

“We often talk about making the arts accessible to all,” said Saliani. “Mercy literally has made the arts accessible by providing this venue that’s free to all and easy to get to. It’s very hard to find places like this.” He went on, “ISC’s success would not be the same without Mercy’s support. We understand and support Mercy’s mission, and we are grateful for the generosity the College has shown us.”