From left, media and communication technology sophomore Ryan McBride, theatre and comparative cultures and politics junior Allie Reid, and English freshman Korey Hurni do loosening techniques before their performance of “Far Away” and “This is a Chair.”
Renditions of Caryl Churchill’s abstract plays, “This is a Chair” and “Far Away,” will wrap up the Department of Theatre’s 2008-09 season this weekend at Snyder-Phillips Hall.
The plays, co-presented by the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities, or RCAH, opened Tuesday and will continue through Sunday.
Both performances focus on sociopolitical issues, such as war and violence. Ann Folino White, an assistant professor in the Department of Theatre, directed the plays and worked with MSU actors and crew members. Although Churchill did not present the plays together, White said she did because of the way they thematically complement one another.
Since the plays focus on issues concerning RCAH core values, RCAH and theater students held discussions and helped design some of the props in the production.
“They allow the students to stretch their creative muscles as designers and actors,” White said. “It’s non-realist staging and performance, and it gives them another opportunity to try something new.”
“This is a Chair” is a collection of several scenes demonstrating the contrast between global problems and everyday life. An announcer, or The Barker, presents a global issue, but the ensuing scene addresses a normal situation.
The play touches on topics such as the war in Bosnia, pornography and censorship. Although there are many historical references, White said a viewer who is not familiar with past events can still understand the meaning of the play.
“Far Away” is a piece that conveys how people justify violence. The play uses workplace corruption in a hat factory and a global war as examples.
Media and communication technology sophomore Ryan McBride, who had a role in both performances, said the actors spent a lot of preparation time understanding the play, rather than memorizing lines.
“Instead of diving right in, we did a lot of discussion,” McBride said. “Before we started acting, we did a lot of introspection and study of the script.”
Some audience members had difficulty deciphering the play.
“It was definitely different than any other show,” advertising sophomore Kyle Colton said. “I spent the majority of it trying to figure out the metaphorical meaning behind it. I’m sure there is something there, but it was hard for me to pick up.”
The performances will continue this weekend at the RCAH Theatre in Snyder-Phillips Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $8.
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