Every year, the St. Ambrose Theatre Department offers a directing class. This class is known to be a lot of hard work, but if you are willing to commit, it will definitely pay off!
The final for the class is to direct a one-act play, which is performed during finals week. Dr. Corinne Johnson, who just finished directing Picasso at the Lapin Agile, teaches the class. There are three students in the class this year, and although they may be small in number, their commitment is mighty.
Senior Megan Clarke is directing Chain Reaction by Goeff Parker on Dec. 10. Clarke describes the play as "a flirtatious comedy full of romance, heartbreak, blind dates and makeups." This quirky script unravels and sheds light on the insincerity of blind date culture, and how often times, the person you are meant to be with is someone who has been by your side all along.
"This process has been both difficult and rewarding, and I have been blessed with an incredible cast, who are working hard to put this production together," she said
Cast of Chain Reaction:
Chris: Tyler Hughes (First Year)
Clare: Sarah Goodall (Junior)
Martin: Christian Colmenares (Senior)
Fiona: Ellie Larson (First Year)
On Dec. 12, sophomore TJ Green will direct Bachelor Holiday by Alan Ball. Green describes the play as "a story about three men, a hippie, a drama queen, a psychopath, and the philosophical debates that come from finding a mouse in a mousetrap and the disappearance of Cocoa Crispies."
Cast of Bachelor Holiday:
Ford: Brian Leibforth (Senior)
Hunter: Bryan Woods (First Year)
Norris: Christian Colmenares (Senior)
Sophomore Jessica Karolczak also is directing Dec. 12 and chose Establishing Relations by Davis Craig Smith.
"It's the story of a son bringing his girlfriend to meet his parents for the first time," Karolczak explained. "However, when the couple arrives, the father is oddly resistant to the girlfriend and demands the couple break up. Throughout the play, not one, not two, but three big secrets are revealed that leave the family struggling to establish relations. I love this play because it is driven lingering secrets and reveals the dangers of keeping them."
Cast of Establishing Relations:
Mary Higgins: Kendall McKasson (Junior)
Gerald Higgins: Bryan Woods (First Year)
John Higgins: Tyler Hughes (First Year)
Stella: Kayla Lansing (Senior)
With such diverse scripts and creative directors, these two nights of one act plays are something you sure won't want to miss. Performances are Sunday, December 10 and Tuesday, December 12, both at 7 p.m. in the Galvin Fine Arts Center Studio Theatre. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. and admission is free, so all are encouraged to come partake in a thrilling night of theatre. But come early because seats are limited!
"This process has been both difficult and rewarding, and I have been blessed with an incredible cast, who are working hard to put this production together."
Senior Meghan Clarke
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