Submitted photo Davis & Elkins Theatre and Film students are hard at work preparing for the production of Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ to be presented this week.

ELKINS — Local residents have multiple opportunities this week to see Davis & Elkins College students perform a classic play that is “such stuff as dreams are made on.”

The Davis & Elkins Theatre and Film program will present William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” in a production running from Thursday through Saturday.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. each night in the Harper McNeely Auditorium at the Myles Center for the Arts, on the campus of D&E.

“The Tempest” is a comedy-drama that has been reproduced and enjoyed by many generations of fans, both young and old. This version of the classic follows Prospera, the rightful Duke of Milan, as she uses her powers to sink a passing ship and torment the survivors — a mixed bunch of heroes and villains, including the King of Naples and Prospera’s deceitful brother, Antonio.

Directed by Aubrey Helene Neumann and stage-managed by Nicole Shumacher, this production is a “slightly updated spin on a classic,” officials said.

“It has been a joy to discover how Shakespeare’s humor and heart translates to this generation. I am immensely proud of the students who have jumped in to bring this magical world to life,” said Neumann, who also serves as assistant professor of Theatre and Film at D&E.

Sidney Apanowicz, a sophomore student, portrays Prospera.

“This is my first time doing a Shakespeare play, so despite having been acting for a lot of my life, this show has brought a lot of newness, challenges and growth, which are all great things in work,” Apanowicz said. “The cast and crew have been such a joy to work with, and I’m really excited to showcase what we’ve all been working so hard on.”

Mary Orndorff, a freshman, who has been a longtime actor and participant in D&E’s theater program, noted, “I love acting in a college production because it’s so different from a high school one. Theatre is my passion, and it’s so awesome to be working with everyone in the Tempest!”

Orndorff portrays Trincula, a friend and sidekick of the King of Naples.

Additional cast members for the show include Alyssa Stump, Caden Blizzard, Damian Stevens, E.H. Humphrey, Harley Dragone, Jensen Kraft, Joseph Birchland, Kyia McGill, Marissa Mallow, Sidney Apanowicz, Star Eakle, Taylor Lesnak, Trinity Fleming and Walter Ridgley.

The additional artistic team, box office and crew members include Emma Engle, MacKenzie Jones, Natasha MacKey, Payton Miller, Roger Doug Gabbert III, Rose Bell, Thomas Spears, Ty Wilson, and Willow Ferguson.

To reserve tickets, go to https://linktr.ee/dnetheatre,or call the box office at 304-637-1255.