September 19th is International Talk-Like-A-Pirate Day!
It is only fitting that we honor one of our ladies on this day, who is celebrating 5 years of fighting against the Captains of Swords and Roses.
Photos courtesy of RAW Artists
Five years ago after a successful summer of swashbuckling, Swords and Roses was still in need of lady pirate. BLEEECHHH!!! "I'm a Lady." proclaimed Maricella Consuella de la Cruz and the rest is history.
Maggie (Murphy) Wininger has brought a lot of flash and fiestiness to the company. In 2012, Maggie's ability to absorb choreography and her desire to improve as a fighter convinced Maria Romine, the owner of the company, to take a chance and start grooming Maggie to become a fight choreographer. You can see Maggie debuting her new title as Fight Director here...
Maggie has co-choreographed (because you really do need a partner to do choreography) our current fights for In Search of Buried Treasure, The Science of Swashbuckling, Paws Off Me Treasure, Mateys!, A Ship of Dreams, A Pirate Adventure and Trouble in Tortuga (our Three Pirate Show). She is also responsible facilitating the "cat fight' and "main brawl" in Swords and Roses Entertainment's Wild West Show.
Outside of piracy these past five years, Maggie has carved herself a niche in the St. Louis Shakespeare arena, performing as Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, as Celia in As You Like It, and as Hamlet in Hamlet. Maggie also recently played Lucrece in The Liar directed by another First Mate Bridgitte (Suki Peters). Since becoming our Fiesty First Mate, Maggie has gotten married and been claimed by two cats.
First Mate Maricella crosses blades with Captain Bashby
photo courtesy of RAW Artists
Maggie took a break between shows to answer a few questions about her experience as the only Spanish pirate aboard our ship.
What prompted you to audition for Swords and Roses?
I auditioned for Swords and
Roses after meeting Maria at a mutual friend's graduation party and
being struck by her intelligence. I requested to audition because I
enjoy physical acting. There's a gratifying feeling after a show knowing
I've used strength and agility. It's a great way to use energy and make
it a good day's work.
What made you choose a Spanish character?
I chose a Spanish character because I majored in Spanish in college and,
in the 1500's, the Spanish were known for their armada and as being a
huge nautical power (before Philip II lost it in the 1580's). Knowing
that other Swords and Roses characters at the time had nationalities of
French, English and Scottish, I thought a Spanish pirate would add some
good spice to the mix.(Maria's comment "I advised Maggie when she told me that she wanted to play a Spanish character. Nobody likes the Spanish in the time period we tend to play. We perform at Renaissance Faires and Pirate Fests the Spanish characters are disliked MORE than the French character that I play. I went ahead and let Maggie play her Spanish character. Maricella won the faires and the crowds over. She is fondly referred to at faires and festivals as The Spaniard")
What are the challenges you have faced as a performer for Swords and Roses?
Some challenges include performing in a torrential downpour with maybe a
lone single audience member, or yelling over some neighboring musicians
with amps. We still gave them a show!
What is your favorite memory of a Swords and Roses show?
My
favorite memory of a show was the anniversary show with 6 fighters, a
costume malfunction, and a rubber chicken. Besides, that, it's any show
I've been able to get a nice long belch or a Titanic reference. There
was a conference in Lake of the Ozarks where a participant was very much
getting into the game. She was "Fancy Nancy." There are many good
times; it's hard to choose.
What do you like best about Swords and Roses?
Oh jeez, what do I like best
about Swords and Roses?! There's the cooperative teamwork, the
innovation, the humor, but most of all, I'd have to say it's the
people. I've met some awesome people doing Swords and Roses.
Thank you, Maggie, for your hard work and dedication. Keep fighting the good fight!
