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From Court to Chaos

Kat Reichert, CLA Public Information Office
November 5, 2025
cla-pio@alaska.edu

Emily Cooley Explores Two Worlds in Historical Comical: A Shakespeare Double Bill

The 51�������� Department of Theatre & Film’s fall production, Historical Comical: A Shakespeare Double Bill, opens Nov. 7, and audiences can expect a night of sharp contrasts—both on stage and within its characters. For sophomore Emily Cooley, stepping into two roles from entirely different worlds has been a thrilling challenge. She plays the confident Dauphin in Henry V and the smooth-talking Antipholus of Ephesus in The Comedy of Errors, two characters bound by status but divided by tone and temperament.

A biological sciences major from Eagle River, Cooley is no stranger to performing. She grew up immersed in choir and musical theatre around the Anchorage area, and Historical Comical marks her second 51�������� Theatre production after appearing as Fate/Ensemble in STRIKE! earlier this year. “I think that people will enjoy this production because of how well the two Shakespearean shows contrast each other,” Cooley said. “The vivacious, political hellscape world of Henry V is a beautiful juxtaposition to The Comedy of Errors’ hilarious and chaotic atmosphere, and I believe that makes this show unbelievably fascinating and exciting to watch.”

That dynamic balance—the serious and the silly, the regal and the ridiculous—is what makes Historical Comical such a unique experience for both performers and audiences. Devised and directed by Tom Robenolt, the production reimagines Shakespeare through a traveling troupe of actors who arrive in Fairbanks to perform both plays back-to-back. The result is part history, part farce, and entirely alive with the energy of collaboration.

For Cooley, that collaborative environment has been deeply rewarding. “The utterly fantastic costuming and set design factors of this production make the show more unique than any other classic Shakespeare play,” she said. “Conceptualizing this band of actors and troubadours that are each their own character within this world of Shakespeare has been the most rewarding theatrical experience, and I would not trade it for anything.”

She’s also quick to point out how the staging itself makes the audience part of the adventure. “The use of three different sections of audience for each side of the stage is super distinctive and adds a level of immersion unmatched by any show I have had the pleasure of partaking in!”

That sense of immersion extends to her two characters, who each live at the top of their worlds—one in the courts of France, the other in the bustling streets of Ephesus. “My two characters, the Dauphin and Antipholus of Ephesus, are both pretty pretentious, self-indulging individuals,” Cooley explained. “The French prince Dauphin is a little arrogant and in his own world most of the time, until there is a threat right in front of him, and then he gets to be this fearless type of character, which I have found to be so fun to play around with on the stage.”

By contrast, Antipholus “is a ladies' man, with a high esteem in the city of Ephesus as a prime, high-stakes merchant, which has also been an absolute blast to perform with.” Cooley says that embodying these bold personalities has been “super enlightening, especially when working with our director, Tom, on the language and content of these great works.”

The joy she takes in these roles reflects the spirit of Historical Comical itself: an inventive mix of reverence for Shakespeare’s text and a willingness to take risks in how it’s told. Cooley says it’s been “an absolute honor to be featured in this unique yet classic Shakespearean show,” and it’s clear that the production’s energy, imagination, and heart have left their mark on her.

Historical Comical: A Shakespeare Double Bill runs Nov. 7–9 and Nov. 14–16 in the 51�������� Theatre, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:00 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are free for currently enrolled 51�������� students with their Polar Express card as part of the Arctic Art Pass program (limit one per student), $20 for seniors, military members, and 51�������� affiliates, and $25 for adults. Tickets are available now via the .

Stay tuned for more Department Spotlights highlighting the talented cast and crew of Historical Comical: A Shakespeare Double Bill.