From the director's chair


11/07/2014

Each fall, students in Dr. Corinne Johnson's directing class choose a one-act play to direct. Their one-acts are cast from students who auditioned on October 19. The directing class is small, comprised of only seven students: Michael Byrne, Rachel Pribulsky, Max Moline, Meghan Cessna, Alexis Greene, Sam Jones, and Cami Sackett.

Rachael Pribulsky is staging All By Myself by Robert Scott for her one act. This comedy features Larry, a man who has been shipwrecked on an island for seven years "all by himself." Pribulsky cast Ryan McManus, Shannon Rourke, Jordan Webster-Moore, Becca Brazel, and Allie Stecklein in her show.

Lockdown by Douglas Craven is being directed by Max Moline. Lockdown centers around a classroom of students and a teacher in a school shooting. No one knows if it is a drill, and they are left alone to their own thoughts and decisions.

"This piece can get to emotional extremes very fast," Moline said, "and it can show us that 'what if' scenario we all had in our head when we practiced school shooting drills."

Moline cast students Becca Brazel, Jordan Webster-Moore, Madison Auge, Ryan McManus, Kelci Eaton, Robbie Poston, Allie Stecklein, Nick Pierce, and Catherine Bettag in his show.

Cessna is directing Then by David Campton. This play features Nick Pierce as Plythick and Madison Auge as 'the girl.'

Greene is directing Here and Now by Barry Hall. This comedy features two lovers who argue heatedly in painfully repeating circles with no resolution in sight. The lovers are portrayed by Jackson Green and Rachael Hohneke.

Jones has chosen to direct The Bear by Anton Chekhov. After her husband's death, Popva is still mourning the loss. Despite his passing, Popva is forced to deal with some of her husband's bad decisions. The Bear features Kayla Lansing, Jordan McGinnis, and Christian Colmenares.

The Pariah, or the Outcast by August Strindberg is being directed by Sackett. In this play, two men, Mr. X and Mr. Y, argue the mortality of stealing gold during which they discover each other's darkest secret. As a battle of wits ensues, each man tries to prove he is smarter than the other. Sackett chose this play simply "because it's a fun and interesting play with witty dialogue." Mr. X and Mr. Y are portrayed by Christian Colmenares and Nick Pearce.

Michael Byrne will produce a yet-to-be-named one act in the early part of 2015.

The one-acts will be performed December 8 and 10 in the Studio Theatre of the Galvin Fine Arts Center. Performances start at 7 PM and the house opens at 6:45 PM each night. No tickets are necessary and admission is free, however seating is limited.

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Follow-up in the December 2014 Newsletter:

Student-directed One Acts, which will be performed December 8 and 10 in the Galvin Fine Arts Studio Theatre, demonstrate a culmination of what the students have learned in Dr. Corinne Johnson's directing class, THTR 312. Through the class and experience with directing their own act, the students gained a better understanding of the hard work and dedication it takes to be a director.

Although the plays are yet to be performed on the stage, the directors have given a little insight to their upcoming pieces:

Senior Alexis Greene is the director of Barry Hall's Here and Now - a dark comedy about a relationship that unravels. "Working on this show has been a fun and challenging project for myself, as well as the actors. We have been practicing several times a week and most of our rehearsals are late at night. However, we power through them and we are excited to share this piece with the audience!"

Sophomore Max Moline is directing Lockdown by Douglas Craven. It tells the story of eight students who are locked in a room, not knowing if an actual lockdown is taking place or if it's a school-required drill. This drama will surely knock you off your seats!

Senior Cami Sackett is directing August Strindberg's The Pariah, or the Outcast. This play sets two men against each other urging them to battle for survival by using their wits. Who will prevail? Come and find out!

Sophomore Sam Jones is directing Anton Chekhov's The Bear, a comedic play about a woman who refuses to leave her house and by doing so, forms a surprising relationship. "It's a challenging experience as a relatively new director for me to tackle a classical piece," Jones said, "but I'm having a lot of fun with it! Chekhov is a well-known playwright whom I hope I can do justice to in our show."

Sophomore Rachael Pribulsky is directing All By Myself by Robert Scott. This comical story is about a man who has been isolated on an island for seven years, but has this isolation come to an end? Come check this comedy!

Junior Meghan Cessna is the director of David Campton's Then - a satirical comedy about a boy and girl under extreme fear of nuclear destruction and therefore wear brown paper bags over their heads. However, something happens to them that they never expect. They enjoy the company of another human being. "[The characters] have fantastic chemistry," Meghan said. "Our experience has been nothing but pure fun; we are enjoying every minute of it!"

These six students have put in long hours to create something magical on the stage. Come out and see their hard work in action on December 8 and 10. Doors open at 6:45 for a 7 p.m. curtain. Admission is free, but seating is limited to 50.

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