The Tempest
by William Shakespeare
directed by Elizabeth Hunter
Director's Note
Back in 2003, my husband and I had lunch with my sister, and another friend and hatched a plan to produce a play in a local church hall. We put up posters and set a sign out on College Ave. calling for actors. Dozens showed up. Friends and strangers came out of the woodwork to make our dream happen. And by the end of that production, it was clear that we had a community of people who wanted to continue doing theatre together in Davis Square. That's how Theatre@First was born.
Over the intervening twenty-plus years, we have produced more than a hundred mainstage shows, as well as staged readings, cabaret nights, Shakespeare slams, variety shows, and other special events. I served as the Artistic Director until last fall, working with hundreds of other participants through the years to make our theatre dreams come true. I have appeared on our stage many times and I have directed enough shows that I've lost count. The Tempest is my last, at least for the foreseeable future.
Theatre@First has always been an all-volunteer organization, built from the love that people bring for the work we do and the joy of doing it together. We have faced many challenges, overcome many obstacles, and survived some hard times with faith that somehow it would all work out, and it always has. It's a kind of magic. I'm excited to see that magic continue under the next generation of Theatre@First leadership.
Our production of The Tempest doesn't have any special effects. No theatrical lighting or sound system, and only a few simple props—a bold choice for a play about a wizard. But there is plenty of magic—the spell woven by a group of passionate performers and creative volunteers coming together to create something spectacular. In this show, as in every Theatre@First production since the very start, the magic is made of people. And by watching, you become part of it. Thank you.
Elizabeth Hunter
Artistic Director Emerita
Our Script
To read the script we are performing, view or download the PDF here.
This version was adapted by Hatem Adell and Elizabeth Hunter. While containing some of the most beautiful poetry in the English language, William Shakespeare's original was also part of the racecrafting that took place in the late 16th and early 17th century, as Europeans developed the philosophy used to justify their theft and exploitation of other people's lands and the kidnapping and forced labor of the inhabitants. The language that the European characters use to describe Caliban, in particular, and the way that Prospero treats him and Ariel, are ugly and offensive in the extreme. We have eliminated the more problematic passages and tried to make it clear with our production that the problems lie with Prospero's worldview, not in the appearance or behavior of the islanders.
It is our hope that with this adaptation, we are presenting the best of Shakespeare's intentions and taking small steps to repair some of the harm that this play has contributed to over the centuries.
Scene by Scene
In the midst of terrible storm at sea, the King of Naples (Alonso), his advisor (Gonzalo), the king's brother (Sebastian) and the Duke of Milan (Antonio) argue with the Boatswain as their ship is wrecked.
On an island nearby, the wizard Prospero explains to his daughter, Miranda, that he was once the Duke of Milan. The storm was an illusion created by the spirits Prospero controls to bring within reach of his revenge the enemies who had overthrown him and exiled the two of them on the island.
While Miranda sleeps, Prospero hears a report of the tempest from Ariel, his primary servant among the spirits. When Ariel demands his liberty, Prospero reminds him of how he was tortured by Sycorax, the witch who ruled the island before Prospero arrived. Prospero says that he will free Ariel once his revenge is complete.
After waking Miranda, Prospero summons Caliban, child of Sycorax and the only other human inhabitant of the island. Caliban curses Prospero and Miranda for stealing the island from him and forcing him to serve them, then departs to do Prospero's bidding.
Ariel lures Ferdinand, son of the King of Naples, into the clearing near Prospero's cave, where he meets Miranda. The two young people fall in love instantly, but although this is part of Prospero's plan, he doesn't want to make it too easy for them, and takes Ferdinand captive.
The other nobles from the ship find themselves alive and well on the island, but sure that Ferdinand has drowned. A magical sleep overtakes all but Sebastian, the King's brother, and Antonio, brother of Prospero and now the Duke of Milan. They plot together to kill the king and his advisor, Gonzalo, but just as they attack, the sleepers wake. Suspicious, but uncertain, the king orders them all to continue searching for Ferdinand.
The king's jester, Trinculo, and his butler, Stephano, encounter Caliban. Impressed by wine from the barrel that Stephano floated to shore with, Caliban enlists them in a plot to murder Prospero and claim the island for their own.
As Ferdinand stacks heavy logs to fulfill the task Prospero has set for him, Miranda comes to talk with him. They declare their love for each other and agree to marry.
Trinculo, Stephano, and Caliban continue toward Prospero's cell, but the invisible Ariel overhears their plotting, tricks them, and lures them from their path with his music.
Weary and losing hope, the king and his followers pause to rest. Spirits appear with a banquet for them and then Ariel and a band of spirits descend on them and drive the king, his brother, and the Duke of Milan mad, as Prospero gloats.
Back at his cave, Prospero entertains Ferdinand and Miranda by calling spirits to become visible and dance for them. But then he remembers that Caliban and his new allies are coming to kill him. He dismisses the dancers and muses about the ephemerality of life.
Having escaped from the cesspit where Ariel had lured them, Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo arrive at Prospero's cell, but despite Caliban's warnings, the other two are distracted by some fine clothing that had been set out to trap them. Spirits terrify them and chase them away again.
Prospero asks for an update on the nobles and Ariel tells him they are spellbound in a nearby clearing and urges Prospero to forgive them. He agrees and orders Ariel to bring them into the magic circle he draws, vowing that after this he will give up magic and break his staff. When the nobles enter the circle Prospero lifts the spell of madness and reveals himself to them.
The King says he will restore Milan to Prospero, who forgives him, Antonio, and Sebastian. The King grieves for the loss of his son, and Prospero says that he also lost a daughter in the storm. The King wishes that he could see them alive and married and ruling Naples together, and Prospero reveals Ferdinand and Miranda, who have been playing chess in his cave.
Ariel brings in the Boatswain to tell everyone that the ship is fine. Prospero has Ariel release Caliban, Trinculo, and Stephano from their punishment and explains to the King what his servants have been up to. Prospero forgives Caliban and sends all three to return the stolen goods and clean up his cave for guests. He invites the nobles to stay with him for a night and hear the story of his adventures before they depart for Naples together the next day.
Finally, Prospero frees Ariel and breaks his magic staff.
But what about Caliban?
Cast and Production Team
DANIEL ABRAHAM (Movement Director) is the guy at a party most likely to be standing on his head. Tempest is his third show with T@F, and each one has been more fun than the one before.
HATEM ADELL (Dramaturg) is a theater professional and scholar and has directed, acted, or designed well over 100 plays. He earned an MA from the San Francisco State University School of Theatre & Dance with a focus in Early Modern Race Studies and Early Modern Theater History and Practice. With T@F he has performed in The Magic Fire (Alberto) and Hamlet (Hamlet), directed Zoo Story, Love's Labor's Lost (in Space), and A Midsummer Night's Dream, and served as Program Director of FirstWorks: New Playwrights at T@F. He is an iambic balloonist and middle-school teacher and has cat-like reflexes (whenever he sees a cat he reflexively likes it).
DANIELLE AL-ABED (Noble) grew up dancing and performed at dance shows throughout high school and college. This is her first time being a part of a theater production!
BROOKE ALLISON (Spirit) is very excited to make her T@F debut and hopes to make this experience the first of many with this company! She would like to thank everyone for welcoming her into the fray and making the hours spent so rewarding. Enjoy the show!
SOPHIE BAUDER (Spirit) is excited to make her T@F debut! Her favorite recent credits include Kate/Chutney in Legally Blonde (Priscilla Beach Theatre), Michelle in T: An MBTA Musical (The Rockwell), and Thumbelina’s Mother in Thumbelina: A Little Musical (American Repertory Theater).
LUCY BERTOLET (Movement Team/Alternate Trinculo) is making her debut with T@F. Since graduating from Emerson College in 2023, Lucy has also worked with Fresh Ink Theatre, Trapology Boston, and performed in Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s Apprentice Repertory production of Richard II in summer 2024. Outside of the acting world, Lucy is a hobbyist illustrator.
RAJ BHUVA (Movement Team/Alternate Ferdinand) is excited to be performing in his first show with T@F! He is foraying back into theatre after a hiatus of 9 years, which he spent graduating with a degree in chemical engineering and working in data analytics. In his spare time, Raj enjoys exploring cafés, sampling IPAs, and rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles.
ALY BRANCIFORTE (Stephano) is excited to make their T@F debut! Some favorite past roles include, Puck (Studio 506) and Oberon (Theatre to Go) in A Midsummer Nights Dream, Dogberry/Verges in Much Ado About Nothing (Nashua Theatre Guild) and Ariel in The Tempest (Studio 506). In their spare time, Aly can usually be found outside, sitting on a rock in the sunshine or inside, taking a nap on the couch with their cats.
ANA BREZNIK (Spirit/Alternate Miranda) was born in Maribor, Slovenia, and moved to Boston to attend Harvard College, graduating in 2024. She has appeared as Ilse in Gledališče Gnosis’s award-winning production of Spring Awakening and took on leading roles with English Student Theatre—Slovenia’s most renowned musical theatre company—including Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Countess Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro. Both productions ran for two years, featuring guest performances, and notably opened the international theatre festival Juventafest in Bosnia. At the Harvard Radcliffe Dramatic Club, Ana portrayed Battery in Ubu Roi and Sidonia in Disonia. She also served as assistant director for the musical Oscar at the Crown, which premiered in the West End on May 21.
CATHERINE BROMBERG (Boatswain) is delighted to be performing in her first outdoor T@F production! Previous T@F appearances include The Impracticality of Modern Day Mastodons (Delores), Medea (Corinthian woman), The Magic Fire (Paula), and The Eagle and the Cactus (Marcel Moore). She has also performed extensively with the Post Meridian Radio Players and sings in the Balkan music band Zdravets. Catherine is incredibly grateful to her family and friends-who-are-also-family for being wonderful and wonderfully supportive of her joy in performing.
LEX BRYAN (Stage Manager) is honored to be making their debut as stage manager in their first production with T@F! They graduated from Wesleyan University in 2023, where they performed in and designed a number of productions, and further developed their love of spreadsheets. Lex would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved for their hard work and support along the way, and hopes you enjoy this magical show!
JEANNÉ CALLINAN (Hair & Makeup Design) has been working with T@F for many happy years and is so pleased to be on the Tempest crew. Highlights have included: Pride and Prejudice, Agnes of God, ‘Night Mother, Bent. She also works at other local community theaters such as Concord Players and Arlington Friends of the Drama. Love to Elizabeth for everything.
PETER DUERST (Antonio) is a software engineer and theater maker. Previously with T@F, he's acted in Festival@First 11 and Giving@First 2025. He worked on None Escape (Assistant Director, Fight Choreographer), Water by the Spoonful (Co-Technical Director), and Festival@First 12 (Director of The Prince's Shadow). He has also acted with PMRP (Halloween 2023) and the Quannapowitt Players (Comedy of Errors). Next year with T@F, Peter is thrilled and honored to be directing Artemisia by Lauren Gunderson, with auditions in March and performances in June 2026! Many thanks to his wife Tal Scully for her constant support, and to you for reading his bio!
KATIE GEBBIA (Spirit/Alternate Ariel) is thrilled to be making her T@F debut! Previous college credits include Cathy (The Last Five Years), Mopsa (Head Over Heels), and Penelope (Penelope). Much love to her family and her fellow Spirits.
JOSEPH J. GREBLA (Movement Team/Alternate Alonso) returns for his second show with T@F, having previously appeared in The Cherry Orchard (Boris understudy) as well as Theatre Company of Saugus' Puffs (Uncle Dave, Ensemble), and Vokes Players' Toward Zero (Inspector Leach). He has also been studying acting at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education. In his spare time he enjoys gardening, weight lifting, painting, cooking Polish food, and watching football on Sundays.
ROSARIO GIUFRE (Movement Team/Alternate Boatswain) is making his T@F debut! He performed in several plays in high school and is thrilled to be returning to the stage with this amazing team. During the day he develops solar farm projects around NY state.
JO GUTHRIE (Technical Director) has had the privilege of being part of this incredible community since the start and is delighted to return to her favorite role for this production. Along the way she has worn many hats in many productions as director, actor, stagehand, lighting designer, set designer. Learning and growing alongside this wonderful group of theatre fans, friends (old and new) and creative souls has been an honor and the support of this community has meant a great deal over our many years together. Thank you all for 21 years of creativity, friendship, and shared passion for theatre!
MIKE HADDAD (Alonso, King of Naples) is thrilled to be reunited with Elizabeth and Jason after 2014's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (and several other wonderful theatrical adventures that followed). Following the close of The Tempest, Mike will be directing Henry IV part 1 with the World's a Stage Players in Concord this July.
PAULA HAWTHORNE (Movement Team/Alternate Antonio) is excited to celebrate her first appearance in a T@F production as well as her acting debut! In her spare time she draws, reads, cooks, and plays games like Dungeons & Dragons with friends. She's a graduate in Drama Design from Carnegie Mellon University.
ALICE HUNTER (Miranda) began acting with T@F over a decade ago and is excited to return after several years away! Notable roles with T@F include Young Lise (The Magic Fire) and Moth (Love's Labour's Lost (in Space)). In the meantime, they've spent the last 4 years mainly working with Highlander Theatre Co., both as an actor and in many technical roles. Much love to all the wonderful people who made this show so fun!
BECKIE HUNTER (Producer) is President Emerita of T@F. She played a batty old lady in Arsenic & Old Lace in high school, and has grown into the role in real life. She produced T@F's first production of Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead in 2004 and several since, including The Vagina Monologues, Pride & Prejudice, The Magic Fire and Hamlet. Thanks to the fantastic cast, crew, and audience for keeping her from being bored in retirement!
ELIZABETH HUNTER (Director) was the founding Artistic Director of T@F. Since 2003 she has directed a dozen of our mainstage productions from Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (2004) to Hamlet (2019), as well as several staged readings and special events, and has appeared on our stage many times. She is grateful for this opportunity to direct one more show and to the new T@F leadership team for guiding our community into its next era.
CAROLYN JONES (Costume Designer) has designed costumes for a number of T@F shows, including Marian, Or the True Tale of Robin Hood, Double Bill, Macbeth, Hamlet, and The Magic Fire, as well as Comedy of Errors (Quannapowitt Players) and Twelfth Night (Dream Role Players). She makes no claim to be Wonder Woman, but people have noted that no one has ever seen her and Wonder Woman in the same room.
MEGAN JUBA (Spirit) is making her T@F debut! Megan is thankful to the cast, production team, her family, and her friends for their support.
DELPHINE KAISER (Props Coordinator) has loved returning to her roots as props manager/arts and crafts gremlin. It takes a village to make these shows happen, and she wants to shout out to Andy for constructing the gorgeous magic staff, Emma for drawing the best roast pig since Shrek 2, and Mary Louise, Ray, and Paula for painting so artfully. Love to Elizabeth, Jo, and Beckie for all the hard work you've put into T@F over the last 20 years. It won't be the same without you!
CHRISTIAN KRENEK (Publicity Lead) knew he had to be a part of Elizabeth's grand finale—she was the one who brought him into the T@F family with Metamorphoses nine years ago, and he's never left. By day, Christian works at the New England Aquarium (he apologizes, but he can't let you meet the penguins); by night, he escapes rooms, dreams up social media posts, solves puzzles, and time travels to Victorian England as part of the Mrs. Hawking series. Special thanks to the amazing people who took photos and videos at rehearsal, and for the entire magical team of The Tempest for letting him join this enchanting production. Break a leg (and a staff), everyone!
BAIR LAMBERT (Ferdinand) is so excited to be acting in his first show with T@F. He graduated from Middlebury College in 2021 where he studied Theatre and Philosophy and performed as Johnny (American Idiot), Alfred (Happy), and Soldier (Sunday in the Park with George). Bair currently teaches theater at Kipp Academy Lynn.
CHANTELLE MARSHALL (Gonzalo) is making her third appearance in a T@F Shakespeare in the Park production, having also performed in Henry V (as Mistress Quickly, Gower, and Queen of France) and A Midsummer Night's Dream (as a carnivorous fairy).
JORDAN McKINNEY (Movement Team/Alternate Prospero) is excited to make his debut with T@F. Recently moved from Los Angeles, Jordan has previously appeared in See Humans Productions as Capt. Moldy Bones (Toothy's Treasure) and Mr. Crocker (Slightly Strange Parents). He regularly performs with his beloved musical improv troupe, Metrognome. He worked with the sports betting company, Winners & Whiners, to produce a sketch comedy show and has appeared in music videos with Dance Gavin Dance and Mothica.
JASON MERRILL (Prospero) has appeared in more than 25 shows at T@F, from 2004's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Player) to 2022's Henry V (Chorus) and 2023's Double Bill. He is excited to work with Alice again after 2017's The Magic Fire. By day he works on GCC for Red Hat.
TIMOTHY LACROIX MESERVE (Sebastian) is thrilled to join this cast and crew for his first T@F production. Since graduating from Tufts, Tim has lived across the country in San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and Austin, before returning to Cambridge.
MARY LOUISE MONROE (Noble) is thrilled to be making her T@F debut. Recent credits include: The SpongeBob Musical, She Loves Me, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, and Mamma Mia! Voiceover: Cast Out, Good for Her. Mary is an undergraduate student at Emerson College majoring in Theater and Performance. Hebrews 13:5-6 @hellomarymonroe
SOPHIE PELS (Movement Team/Alternate Stephano) is very excited to be making her T@F debut! She extends her thanks to all members of the creative team and cast for the warm welcome.
NIKITA POTNIS (Spirit) is returning to the stage after several years away for her first show at T@F. When not performing, she works as a Content Specialist at a marketing agency and is pursuing her Masters at Emerson College. She is excited to reconnect with her love of acting through this magical production.
KELLEN PENER COXON (Noble) is excited to be acting in her first production with T@F, and hopes you enjoy the show as much as she’s enjoyed the rehearsal process!
EMMA PICHT (Trinculo) is so excited to be making her T@F debut! A long time lover and performer of Shakespeare in the outdoors, this show has been the perfect opportunity to get involved in Boston's community theatre scene after moving here from Ohio. She most recently performed with Post Meridian Radio Players and is always excited to discuss board games in her spare time!
GILLY ROSENTHOL (Graphic Design) has been with T@F since their second show in 2004, as an actor, director, and graphic designer. She would like to take this opportunity to thank Elizabeth Hunter for all of her work as artistic director, actor, director, and friend.
JAMES SCHEFFLER (Park Manager) is James' first time working house—be gentle. Ordinarily, he's an actor. Last time you saw him, it was as the Dog Man in None Escape. He was a very Good Boy. As far as Shakespeare goes it has been a minute, but he enjoyed performing as Polixenes in The Winters' Tale. He was also the Bear because of course he was.
ELIZABETH R. STONE (Makeup) has done makeup for the MIT Gilbert & Sullivan Players, Arlington Friends of the Drama, the Sudbury Savoyards and the North Cambridge Family Opera. She started playing with her mother's makeup when she was quite young. This is what it led to. Her cat has graciously endorsed this bio.
ARI SYLVIN (Movement Team/Alternate Caliban) has appeared on the T@F stage as Radius (R.U.R.), Agnes (She Kills Monsters), and other assorted creatures. They have also previously performed with Dream Role Productions, Hear Me Out Productions, and the Central Square Theater. In their spare time, they like to build LEGO sets, engage with the local queer community, and converse with their ophidian daughter, Iris.
MILES TAYLOR (Ariel) has appeared at T@F as the Ape Man (None Escape) and Sammy (Burning). He also portrays the Marquis de Lafayette on Boston’s Freedom Trail. This is technically his first time performing Shakespeare and he feels incredibly lucky to have landed here. The airy spirit has been a dream role of his for a decade, and he’s so grateful for the opportunity he’s been given at T@F.
ROBERT THORPE II (Caliban) is delighted to return to T@F having previously appeared in Festival 12, Cherry Orchard, and She Kills Monsters. Recent credits: Much Ado About Nothing (Hanover Theatre Repertory), Tartuffe, The Book of Will (Hub Theatre), Othello, Twelfth Night (Dream Role Players), and Hamlet (Apollinaire Theatre). You can catch Robert later this summer performing more outdoor Shakespeare in Macbeth with Dream Role Players. Many thanks to his friends, family, two cats, and partner Amelia.
SAMUEL ZEIBERG (Movement Team/Alternate Ferdinand) is excited to be back for his 4th show with T@F, and his third at Powerhouse Park. Special thanks to his wife Kara, as well as his friends, and family for all of their support. Finally, thank you to the audience for supporting live theatre!
Special Thanks
We’d like to thank...
Andy LeBrun for our magical staff
Renée Walsh for her constant support and storage expertise
Rozi and Brokk Galea for trunk reinforcement, advice, and support
David Figueroa, Melissa Gay, Cameron Opartkiettikul, and Amanda Wendt for helping out along the way
Drea Brandford for infusions of sanity
Alana Ocasio, Brie Frame, and Jaclyn Wilson for just-in-time support
All the ushers, stagehands and other volunteers who made this show possible
Jamie Lin, Mary Parker, and Jess Viator for their advice and support
Rev. Betty Walker for her patience and support
and to Unity Somerville for providing rehearsal space and a home base for Theatre@First.
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About Theatre@First
The mission of Theatre@First is to work together to provide a fun, friendly, and creative theater experience for cast, crew, and audience alike. We welcome volunteers at all levels of experience and offer a supportive environment in which to work, play, grow, and explore new areas of the theater arts. We offer affordable and eclectic entertainment to the community, aiming to surprise, delight, entertain, and educate our audiences.
We fill an important niche in the vibrant Davis Square arts scene, drawing upon the talents and contributions of individuals and organizations throughout the community to provide a venue for thought-provoking and entertaining performing arts for all those who love to be on either side of the curtain.
Each production we undertake is the dream of someone in our community. When you support Theatre@First you make these dreams a reality for our participants and the wider community. Please help us to continue this work through your generous donations
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Our Next Show
Festival@First 13: Superstitious, features 8 original short plays by Massachusetts playwrights which explore the weird, wacky, and sometimes spooky world of superstition.
A superstition is a widely held belief, typically not based on reason or science, that future events can be influenced by one's behavior in some supernatural way. Why do some people have all the good luck, while others seem like they've been cursed? Are we surrounded by ghosts who haven't found their eternal rest? Do we really have free will, or are our lives dictated by forces beyond ourselves?
Join Theatre@First for a night of theatre that's sure to be hilarious, uncanny, and maybe a little twisted!
Performances: August 15-23, 2025