Ten Hostos Community College students jetted off to Edinburgh, Scotland to participate in Festival Fringe, as part of the International Collegiate Theater Festival (ICTF) from August 3-13. The troupe performed “What You Will,” a modern take on Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, “Twelfth Night,” written by James Zager and directed by Angel Morales.
“On behalf of the entire Hostos community, I want to say how proud we all are of Prof. Angel Morales and the Hostos Repertory Company for their achievements,” said Hostos President Daisy Cocco De Filippis before the troupe took flight. “That they are participating in the prestigious Festival Fringe in Edinburgh is a cause for celebration. But the fact that this is the THIRD time they have been invited makes it a spectacular feat of talent, determination, and ambition worthy of our collective admiration. Thanks to their efforts and their passion, Hostos Community College, which for decades has served as a beacon of hope and opportunity in the South Bronx, will once again be in the spotlight on one of the most famous stages in the world. As they set off on their trip to Scotland, we bid them bon voyage and break a leg!”
For three weeks in August, the city of Edinburgh is home to an outburst of creative energy from around the globe. Fringe was established in 1947 as an alternative to the Edinburgh International Festival and, in 2019 alone, featured 59,600 performances of 3,841 different shows in 322 venues. A central part of the global feast, the ICTF specifically is an opportunity for collegiate performing arts programs to study abroad and explore the best of Scotland’s capital city while showcasing their productions on the world stage of this international festival.
“Participating in the ICTF ten years ago was a dream come true, but being able to go a third time is a blessing and a privilege. Hostos students continue to amaze me, especially during these times when many of them prefer or can only take classes remotely,” said Director and Visual & Performance Arts Lecturer Angel Morales. “The theater has the power to unite people in the flesh, and that is exactly what has happened with “What You Will.” I look forward to seeing these students become global citizens.
For their part, the students were beyond excited for the opportunity and what it represents for their professional and personal growth.
“Going to Scotland presents the opportunity to expand my knowledge in an area of work that I have never experienced before in my life. It is also a great opportunity to apply what I have learned as a sound designer by collaborating with an international technical crew at the festival,” said Class of 2023 Digital Music graduate Fernando Castillo.
Student Mellanie Benito looked forward to exploring Edinburgh and all it offers.
“This opportunity broadens my horizons in terms of seeing another part of the world and soaking up a new culture while experiencing it. It makes me believe that when you just give yourself chances, you can grasp opportunities you never thought you could do,” she said.
Other production members are Oriana Sophia (costume designer) and Bill Sorice (stage manager). The other cast members are Alan Pierre-Louis, Susana Angamarca, Daniel Honeycutt, Kobe Jacobs, Dainma Martinez, Wilbert Morales, Angel Moret, and Hualbin Ramirez.
Learn more about ICTF and the program here.
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