Parlez-vous français? If so, you might want to check out Eugéne Ionesco's "The Lesson."
The collaboration between French and theater students will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Arena Theatre. The production is driven by graduate student Christiane Morel.
"The Lesson" is a comedic drama that focuses on a lesson between a student, her professor and his troublesome butler, Morel said. The show will be presented in English, preceded by a brief "escapade" in French, because it was originally written in the language, she said.
Morel, who is part French, said her interest in French culture inspired her to direct this production.
"I have a master's degree in French and I thought it would be a really exciting way to combine my two areas of interest," she said. "It's been really fun and rewarding working with some new faces and getting to know some people in the French department."
Morel, who has performed in several MSU Department of Theatre productions, said she discovered the lines in the script for directing are not the same as acting.
"I have to remind myself as a director what it is like as an actor," she said. "There are certain stages you go through, (such as) developing a character."
French and marketing freshman Chadd Kortge, who portrays a butler, said this experience has made him strive for perfection.
"Because some of it is in French, you work harder to make sure the audience really grasps what you are trying to say with body language and facial expressions," he said.
Kortge, who has never performed in a nonmusical show, said this has been an adventure for him.
"I sing and depend on my voice to get me a musical part," he said. "Auditioning was a little stressful, just having to read a monologue."
Theater senior Kirsten Keyt said she is fortunate to see what she has learned in her directing class firsthand.
"It is interesting to see (Morel) apply what I am learning in class," she said. "She has a great (way) of interacting with the actors, opposed to telling them what to do."
Keyt, who said she has more experience in acting, said she now has a better understanding of the roles others play.
"I've learned it's important to interact with your actors and make them feel comfortable to voice their opinion," she said. "Directing helps me realize as an actor what goes on to have a production. You can't just have actors."
This production will open in the Arena Theatre Friday at 7:30 p.m., and there will be a matinee show on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.
