Little Falls Theater Company a Labor of Love for Herkimer College Instructor

Directing Shakespeare in the summertime is truly a labor of love for Herkimer College English Instructor Matthew Powers. This summer, he directs the Little Falls Theater Company's (LiFT) production of the Shakespearian comedy Love's Labour's Lost, 1 p.m. on both Saturday, August 13, and Sunday, August 14, at Benton's Landing in Little Falls.  

 

Powers has been involved with LiFT since its inception in 2012, and the theater group itself has ties to Herkimer College. LiFT was inspired after local theater lovers gathered in a living room to read a draft of Strike Story (written by Professor Emerita Angela Harris – which chronicles the 1921 textile strikes in Little Falls). Herkimer College's Christian Avis, assistant professor of English; Joshua Parkinson, director of instructional design; and Michael Vittiglio, adjunct instructor, also lend their talents to bring Shakespeare to summer theater. 

 

According to Powers, the connection between the classroom and stage is a seamless one.  

 

"When directing I see my unique sense of teaching coming forward," Powers said. "When I'm in the classroom my approach is to not only impart knowledge but to guide students to have meaningful discussions, to have them think in new ways, and explore these ideas in a safe environment. During rehearsals, that's my role as well. With directing, I want those I'm working with to be comfortable and to create a welcoming space for them to explore and create. " 

 

This space, Powers explains, fosters two of his greatest loves after being a husband and father – imagination and relationship building. 

 

"The human capacity to use our imagination and the human capacity for depth of relationships, teaching and directing builds those bridges." 

 

This summer's labor of love for Powers and the members of LiFT, Love's Labour's Lost, is part of the annual Little Falls Canal Celebration and is free to the public. For more information about LiFT and its current projects, visit https://lift-theater.org.