Actor Paul Chahidi Visits St. B’s
by Dean Kripalani
The boys in grades VIII and IX were delighted to welcome actor Paul Chahidi to school on December 3. Mr. Chahidi is known for his work on both stage and screen appearing in the films Notting Hill, The Libertine, and Venus; television series including Ladies of Letter and The Hour; and most recently playing the role of the witty maid Maria in Twelfth Night on Broadway. With the eighth graders’ own performance of Romeo and Juliette only a couple of weeks away, they were especially interested in Mr. Chahidi’s experience of playing a woman on stage. In fact, Mr. Chahidi’s very first role was a female part in a school production at Winchester College in England. He credited his success to his work with movement and voice coaches (“I learned to use higher notes in the range of my normal talking voice.”), the costumes (including a customized and restrictive corset, “which would not allow me to slouch”), and, of course, chest waxing (“which was like torture!”). Click on the link to view a clip of his advice for our very own Shakespearean actors.
The boys in grades VIII and IX were delighted to welcome actor Paul Chahidi to school on December 3. Mr. Chahidi is known for his work on both stage and screen appearing in the films Notting Hill, The Libertine, and Venus; television series including Ladies of Letter and The Hour; and most recently playing the role of the witty maid Maria in Twelfth Night on Broadway. With the eighth graders’ own performance of Romeo and Juliette only a couple of weeks away, they were especially interested in Mr. Chahidi’s experience of playing a woman on stage. In fact, Mr. Chahidi’s very first role was a female part in a school production at Winchester College in England. He credited his success to his work with movement and voice coaches (“I learned to use higher notes in the range of my normal talking voice.”), the costumes (including a customized and restrictive corset, “which would not allow me to slouch”), and, of course, chest waxing (“which was like torture!”). Click on the link to view a clip of his advice for our very own Shakespearean actors.
The visit concluded with a few boys acting out a scene from their upcoming play while Mr. Chahidi critiqued their performance. He was impressed with what he saw and provided a few tips to help them engage the audience. We are looking forward to enjoying the fruits of their labor on the evening of December 17 when eighth grade presents the annual St. Bernard’s Shakespeare play at Columbia’s Miller Theatre.
We would like to thank Mr. Chahidi, Mr. Hager, the director of the St. Bernard’s Shakespeare play, and the Dragon School’s Desmond Devitt for making this visit possible.
