Theatre students direct 20th century plays
Mark Hensch
Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: Arts
After a year of faculty calling the shots in Hillsdale's theatre department, students will now have their chance to produce compelling shows. Four aspiring directors will unite with the Hillsdale Tower Dancers and perform unique takes on modern one-act plays.
"It will be an experience seeing plays from three of the most important writers of the 20th century in O'Neill, Sartre, and Coward," said James Brandon, associate professor of theatre and speech. "It will also be interesting seeing a newer play by a contemporary playwright Gary Williams."
Brandon said the plays will run in pairs over four nights this week.
In the first group, junior John Scribner will direct Noel Coward's "Fumed Oak" and senior Kristi Banker will direct Eugene O'Neill's "The Long Voyage Home."
In the second group, senior Chris Stewart will direct Gary Williams' "Rain" and junior Natalie Scarlett will direct Jean-Paul Sartre's "No Exit."
The plays are a result of a year's worth of college directing courses, Brandon said.
"I think the one-act plays offer the community a chance to see young talent working very hard to make appealing short plays for the Hillsdale audience," he said. "They also create the opportunity for new students to become involved in the theatre."
Freshman Josephine Burns, stage manager for all four plays, said that even students who typically avoid Hillsdale's theatre program will find art that is both relatable and thought-provoking.
"If you don't see these plays you will be missing out on some terrific acting and the chance to see what kind of directors the theatre department develops," she said. "All four plays are entertaining and have interesting ideas in them that will cause you to think about the connections in your life."
Senior Chris Stewart said his play, Gary Williams' "Rain," explores challenging issues of family and existence.
"It is about a paralyzed farmer but it is also about faith, family, love, and anger - it definitely has no easy answers," he said. "It kinda gets people comfortable before it smacks them in the face."
"It will be an experience seeing plays from three of the most important writers of the 20th century in O'Neill, Sartre, and Coward," said James Brandon, associate professor of theatre and speech. "It will also be interesting seeing a newer play by a contemporary playwright Gary Williams."
Brandon said the plays will run in pairs over four nights this week.
In the first group, junior John Scribner will direct Noel Coward's "Fumed Oak" and senior Kristi Banker will direct Eugene O'Neill's "The Long Voyage Home."
In the second group, senior Chris Stewart will direct Gary Williams' "Rain" and junior Natalie Scarlett will direct Jean-Paul Sartre's "No Exit."
The plays are a result of a year's worth of college directing courses, Brandon said.
"I think the one-act plays offer the community a chance to see young talent working very hard to make appealing short plays for the Hillsdale audience," he said. "They also create the opportunity for new students to become involved in the theatre."
Freshman Josephine Burns, stage manager for all four plays, said that even students who typically avoid Hillsdale's theatre program will find art that is both relatable and thought-provoking.
"If you don't see these plays you will be missing out on some terrific acting and the chance to see what kind of directors the theatre department develops," she said. "All four plays are entertaining and have interesting ideas in them that will cause you to think about the connections in your life."
Senior Chris Stewart said his play, Gary Williams' "Rain," explores challenging issues of family and existence.
"It is about a paralyzed farmer but it is also about faith, family, love, and anger - it definitely has no easy answers," he said. "It kinda gets people comfortable before it smacks them in the face."
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