The Experimental Educational Theatre (EET) Program at NTID was established in October 1974 by Robert F. Panara, its founder and director, as part of the NTID Communication Center. The program has a distinguished heritage of presenting challenging, entertaining, and provocative works of theatre for both Deaf and hearing audiences.
The inaugural production of EET was Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, performed October 3–5, 1974, in the new Panara Theatre for the National Advisory Group and in celebration of the opening of the LBJ Building. The doors were officially opened on October 3, 1974.
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The play begins with a framing device, often called the induction, in which a mischievous nobleman tricks a drunken tinker named Christopher Sly into believing he is a nobleman. The nobleman then performs the play for Sly's diversion.
The main plot depicts the courtship of Petruchio and Katherina, the headstrong, obdurate shrew. Initially, Katherina is an unwilling participant in the relationship; however, Petruchio "tames" her with various psychological and physical torments, such as keeping her from eating and drinking until she becomes a desirable, compliant, and obedient bride. The subplot features a competition between the suitors of Katherina's younger sister, Bianca, who is seen as the "ideal" woman.
Left to Right:
Robert Pratt, Paul Johnson, Robert Panara
Left to Right:
Paul Johnston,??, Robert Panara
Left to Right:
Robert Pratt, Paul Johnston and Panara discussing play
Taming of the Shrew Scene
Paul Johnston as Petruchio
Left to Right:
Ronald Berger as Baptisa, Ricky Smith as Grumio, Dan Ford as Hortensio, Paul Johnston as Petruchio
Left to Right:
Paul Johnston as Petruchio and Ricky Smith as Grumio
Mike Lowe as Gremio
Standing (Right to Left):
Ronald Berger, Paul Johnston
Sitting (Left to Right):
Thomas Riggs, Barbara Ray, Robert Panara, Janice Cole, Linda Siple, David Hagan
Right to Left:
Anne Cooley helping Tom Riggs, an unknown actor in background
Left to Right:
Janice Cole, Ronald Berger, Mike Lowe, (in the back), Gary Etkie, Tom Riggs
Costume work
A student working on a costume
Student working on a costume
Janice Cole as Bianca
Left to Right:
Ronald Berger as Baptisa and Mike Lowe as Gremio
Paul Johnston as Petruchio