Insight by Yasmeen Schuller, Managing Director of Verismo Opera Club and Parttime Dragon Trainer
As we were reviewing the playing cards of each of the characters, my husband, Bradley Schuller (also Artistic Director) and I joked that it would be funny to have a card with our rescue poodle-mix, Shakespeare in it. And then we remembered he dressed up as a dragon for Halloween last year. After rolling on the ground in laughter, we decided he needed to audition right away. Luckily, he had an "in" with the director, Aaron Hunt and he was on board to give it a try.
To provide a little background on Shakespeare, he is our first dog. We have always had cats but thought it would be a wonderful next step to adopt a rescue dog too. We both love animals and when we saw him jumping up and down at the shelter (trying to get our attention), well, it was love at first sight. Now, he is the cat whisperer/herder and a very important member of the Schuller family. He’s also way too smart for his own good. He will politely do a trick, take the treat, and spit it out if he knows/smells a better treat nearby.
So how did I train this dragon? Positive reinforcement and cut up hot dogs! When we enrolled Shakespeare in agility training, he took to it right away. They also taught us that beef hot dogs are the most effective training tool outside of patience and a smart dog. Dogs have a much more sensitive sense of smell and the right treat can make all the difference. Luckily he doesn’t mind hot dogs and doesn’t insist on Filet Mignon!
DAY ONE
I made the mistake of having him off-leash. BIG mistake! He ran all over the auditorium and while it was a fantastic workout for me, he was not having a very balanced day. He struggled to listen and keeping his attention was very difficult. In addition to that, I hadn’t yet bought his hot dogs so he had dry biscuits as rewards. He wasn’t doing a very good job of engaging with the other actors on stage – more interested in hamming it up for the members of the cast sitting in the seats.
DAY TWO
I brought him on leash, with a bag of cut up pieces of hot dog and immediately handed it to his fellow actor and new BFF, Tamino (Mark Donlin). Mark also walked Shakespeare up and down the aisle and had Shakespeare follow slightly behind him. This set the tone – now Shakespeare knows Mark can give him commands and holds the treat bag. We were a little too generous with his treats so he wasn’t entirely motivated by the end of the rehearsal.
DAY THREE
On a leash, bag of treats, bonding with Mark – Shakespeare was ready! Something magical happened – the more Mark withholds the treats, the harder Shakespeare will work for the treat. This is truly a magic combination. We’ve had some wonderful rehearsals and I am a stage mom for my little drama dog, Shakespeare. Ah, well, better that than a diva dog! Oh, and when he isn't performing? He is attentively sitting, watching, and enjoying watching the others perform. At his favorite parts, he sits up and wags his tail.
In preparation for the performance, Shakespeare has a busy schedule of napping, playing, attending dress rehearsal, and going to Yuppy Puppy in order to be groomed for the performance. He’ll have a nice, short cut and he’s always so happy the day he is groomed. I’m slightly nervous for him but at the same time, incredibly proud of the little 15 lb guy. He has come a long way from the streets of Chicago to Animal Care League to semi-famous local actor. Who knows? Maybe our future family-friendly shows will need a dog part written in to ensure Shakespeare graces the stage every year. Hmmm, Hansel and Gretel and their pet dog? Barber of Seville and his dog? Marriage of Figaro and his trusty sidekick?
Toi! Toi! Toi! Shakespeare Schuller!
See Shakespeare at his debut performances in Mozart's Magic Flute, Friday, March 25 & Sunday, March 27 at the Oak Park Arts Center.
Shakespeare Schuller is a 15 lb rescue poodle-mix making his stage debut as The Dragon in Mozart's The Magic Flute. When he is not acting on stage, Shakespeare enjoys visiting art fairs and local events as well as playing in the backyard, going for walks, and just hanging out.
Yasmeen Schuller, when she is not training dragons, is the Digital Marketing Manager at Becker Professional Education and Managing Director at Verismo Opera Club. Yasmeen and her husband, Brad live in Oak Park with their dramatic dog and four rescue cats.
Posted by: |