It cannot be said that the new Polk State College speech and drama professor is a procrastinator. With only five weeks behind him as a faculty member, he had roused a sleeping program and assembled the cast for the school's first play in 15 years ... and ironically, he did it with a "Mattress."
The play, "Once Upon a Mattress," opens Nov. 18. Combine that fact with the institution's recent name change from Polk Community College and the arrival of Paul Carbonell, its new professor, and one knows good things are happening on campus.
"The students are starving for this opportunity," Carbonell says. "Additionally, the community has been extremely positive and supportive of this. Everyone wants it to work."
With a cast of 19 and a total of about 50 students involved, rehearsals are well under way for the musical comedy, and the excitement is increasing daily.
"This show is going to be produced as professionally as possible," says Carbonell, who has brought on board a professional stage director, assistant stage director, costumer and set designers. "In a professional environment, the students can do their best."
His goal is to establish a solid production process that allows students to experience the fruition of what they have been practicing in class.
"Drama classes are just like a football team's practice," Carbonell says. "A football team plays a game after practicing all week. I want these kids to 'play the game' by experiencing an actual production and not just practice in class."
A classic "happily ever after" story, "Mattress" celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. It takes place in a fictional medieval kingdom ruled by the devious and talkative Queen Aggravaine and the mute King Sextimus the Silent. Opening off Broadway first and then moving to Broadway because of its success, the original "Mattress" woke the world up to a new star: Carol Burnett.
The play was written as an adaptation to "The Princess and the Pea," the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. The show's music is written by Mary Rodgers with lyrics by Marshall Barer. The book is by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer.
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Drama student Phillip Spangler lays motionless on stage as professor Paul Carbonell gives instructions during drama class at Polk State College's fine arts theater.
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On the PSC stage, Jessica Jeter is Queen Aggravain and Jeff Peacock is the king. Other stars are Keisha Gill as Winnefred, Sergio Perez in the role of Dauntless, Jessica Eastridge as Lady Larken and Dirck Van Clief as Sir Harry.
"Some of these students have already been in 20 to 25 productions because there is an exorbitant amount of culture in the area - Theatre Winter Haven, Lake Wales Little Theatre," Carbonell says. "The cast is great."
The set, according to Carbonell, will leave as much open space as possible for the production's dances. The castle will be designed as more of a backdrop, leaving the audience to imagine some of the details.
Carbonell has an extensive background in acting. Originally from Dearborn, Mich., where he grew up less than half a block from Henry Ford's mansion, he's lived in numerous areas of the United States, including New York City, "waiting to become famous," he says.
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Jeff Peacock lays face up on the stage as speech and drama professor Paul Carbonell coaches a drama student on an exercise at Polk State College's fine arts theater.
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"I finally feel like I've found a home," he says. "I love this area because I'm close enough to the big cities, and the best part is I can go to hockey games again."
Already in the works is the spring production, "Romeo and Juliet." Carbonell also plans to teach a stage management class next semester and take a group of students to New York City during spring break.
"I want them to see and experience Broadway for themselves, not just watch it on television," he explains.
The students have already started fundraising for the spring trip and are looking for sponsors.
Marc Durso, one of the nation's leading acting teachers, will hold an intensive acting, movement and voice workshop Jan. 15-17. The proceeds from this workshop will go toward students' New York City trip expenses as well as the creation of a new scholarship in honor of George Randolph.
Recently retired, Randolph was the previous drama and speech professor at PSC.
"My goal is that in 20 or 25 years, we've created the environment for students to have a clear understanding of what it would be like to work in the profession," Carbonell says. "Everyone has the dream. I want them to have the opportunity to explore those dreams so they can make an informed choice."
Tickets for "Once Upon a Mattress" will be sold at the door. The play runs Nov. 17-21 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee on Nov. 22.
