The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre performed an adaptation of Hamlet in the freshman auditorium Friday morning.

Attendance was voluntary and around 50 students turned out for the performance by the group, whose purpose is to allow all students to experience the passion of a Shakespeare play.

“Regardless of where our students come from, we are committed to equalizing access to engagement in the transcendent power of performing the works of William Shakespeare,” reads the group’s vision statement on its website.

Senior Alyse Fitzwater said she was engaged the whole time .

“They really knew how to keep not just me, but the entire audience locked in,” she said . “The actors showed true emotion and heart, which really made them stand out.”

Hamlet is Shakespeare’s longest play and is considered among the most powerful and influential works of world literature. The shortened 90-minute version of the play ran from periods two through five, and was followed by a post-performance discussion with the actors.

Senior Samara Rayco asked about the sound effects.

“We created several tools to help make the suspenseful noises and loud crashes,” said actor Adam Kampouris, who played Hamlet.  “It just brings everything together perfectly.”

Hamlet was one of Shakespeare’s most popular works during his lifetime and still ranks among his most performed.