Worcester State Students Put Modern Spin on “Romeo and Juliet”

by Christina Cronin, VPA PR and Marketing Intern

It’s the classic story featuring love, comedy, death, political turmoil… and dancing…

It’s a modern take that includes fight scenes choreographed to dance steps and challenges to gender norms. 

Brett St. Onge as Romeo and Julia Duggan as Juliet rehearse for Romeo and Juliet.

It’s Romeo and Juliet set in the modern day as Worcester State students take on the story of the “pair of star-crossed lovers.” The show runs Nov. 21-24, 2019.

Adam Zahler, the play’s director, said Romeo and Juliet seemed the obvious choice this year because of the political rift in our country. “Almost every other day, we hear on the news about how polarized the political parties are, how polarized the nation is,” said Zahler. “The prologue to Romeo and Juliet tells us that there are two well-respected families, who are engaged in a feud that regularly breaks into physical violence.  The parallel seemed compelling and relevant to us.”

Zahler decided to tell the story in a modern setting. He wanted to emphasize the violence in the play. Even for those who have not seen the play, it is no secret that Romeo and Juliet must die for their two families to resolve their feud. “How that happens, and why, is what drives the play,” said Zahler.

The show poses a challenge for everyone involved. Not only do the actors have to memorize the lines, but they have to understand them from a 21st century perspective, as the play is written in Shakespearean language.

Brett St. Onge, who plays Romeo, said he was excited to bring this love story to a modern era. One of the challenges he faced in taking on Romeo’s character was developing every thought that he (Romeo) has. “He has many new discoveries, much like a typical 16-17-year-old boy today.”

Julia Duggan, who plays Romeo’s counterpart, said she found a lot of emotional aspects to taking on the role of Juliet. 

“Her character is so dynamic. She’s easily one of the smartest characters in this show, so I have to somehow get that across to the audience while also showing them that I’m a naive 13-year-old who is simply defying her parents,” said Duggan. “I feel that I’m taking on Juliet’s character in a way that will make sense to the audience and will also allow them to feel her pain and sorrow.”

Brett St. Onge and Mikaela Davis Sargent rehearse a fight scene.

As St. Onge and Duggan take on the challenge of their roles, Mikaela Davis Sargent finds her challenge a little different. In assigning her the character, Tybalt, Zahler challenged gender roles.  It’s one of the modern takes Zahler put into the production.

“Putting such hotheaded and aggressive attributes into a female role is something I haven’t had to do before, but it’s fun working through it,” said Davis Sargent. 

The production includes another nontraditional aspect — dancing. The production incorporates dancing into the fight scenes, paired with upbeat and modern music. 

During his research, Zahler looked at breakdance from the 1980s. One of the styles they found was rivalry performance, which gangs in NYC used to propel violence without actually fighting. They also used a French dance form called Apache, which is fighting carried out in dance.

“So, there’s dancing – choreographed by the same student playing Romeo, fights, romance, comedy, and heart-breaking tragedy…with an amazing cast of students,” said Zahler.

“Romeo and Juliet” runs Nov. 21 – 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 24 at 2 p.m. Purchase tickets through VPABoxOffice@worcester.edu or call (508) 929-8843. Tickets are $14 general public, $10 seniors and $7 students.

A Case for Majoring in Theatre

By James Joyce, guest blogger

James Joyce in Peter and the Starcatcher with Brett St. Onge and Autumn Thebedo. Peter and the Starcatcher is by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, and adapted for the stage by Rick Elice. Winter 2019

Becoming a VPA theatre major proved a life-changing decision for me.

Like many young actors, I thought that my high school graduation meant the end of my acting career. Societal pressure to find a “real job” pushed me toward a more practical degree in communication.

Any actor will tell you that once you get on stage, it’s hard to leave. I am not an exception. Halfway through my freshman year, I found myself yearning to perform again.

I added visual and performing arts as a second major to my program of study in spring 2017 and participated in my first Worcester State theatre production the following fall.

The first show I participated in was Chekhov’s The Seagull. The rigorous rehearsal schedule and intensity of direction took me by surprise, but it was an incredible experience.

I felt that I and the other new actors were immediately accepted into the community and treated as professionals. This was different from the cliquey theatre stereotypes that most people experience.

James Joyce with Shyiesha Brown in Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage.

Director Adam Zahler treated us as professionals. Rehearsals took place from 6 p.m. -9 p.m. four times a week. We were responsible for learning lines and researching our characters. This was much more intense than anything I’d participated in before — it was necessary to do and allowed me to grow as a performer.

I had a small part (just three lines), but I learned so much about acting and being a part of a serious piece of theatre.

The transition from high school acting to university acting was eased by the deep sense of community present in the Worcester State theatre program. From the first table read, I felt I belonged.

Students and faculty work together to create an environment where everyone is supported and becomes a valuable member of the team.

I found so many wonderful opportunities to perform and practice my craft. My favorite was playing the title role in Peter and the Starcatcher. I worked with so many talented people and I felt many facets of my training coming together.

James Joyce hangs with Emmanuel Freeman in Anonymous by Naomi Iizuka. The production took place on the Fuller Theater stage in spring 2018.

With so many new faces in “Peter,” it was my turn to welcome actors into our theatre community. The ensemble nature of the show allowed everyone an opportunity to shine.

In this production, I applied many skills I learned at Worcester State. Not only did I use acting techniques, but I served as fight captain, employed previous accent training to learn a British accent, and even did some sewing for the costumes.

The nature of the theatre program allowed me to learn both the performance and technical aspects of theatre. Some of the skills I learned included puppetry, costume design, dramaturgy, and more. It ignited passions for new areas of theatre and gave me a greater appreciation for the full process of putting on a show.

This also allowed me to forge friendships with several mentors, like Costume Designer Susan Johnson-Hood and Department Chair Adam Zahler.

Recently I attended Worcester State’s production of Speech & Debate, a largely student-produced piece. It was a beautiful example of the camaraderie among students in the program.

I watched my peers, old and new, create an emotionally moving piece of theatre.

My good friend and fellow theatre student, Erick Lindenberger, excelled in his directorial debut.

The design team included several peers, including Choreographer Brett St. Onge and Costume Designer Bellalorraine Carey-Hicks.

The actors, many of whom made their debuts in Peter and the Starcatcher this semester, blossomed in their starring roles in Speech & Debate.

I am immensely proud of my friends and the art they created. It is a testament to the community-driven nature of the theatre program and the high quality of instruction offered at Worcester State.

Majoring in visual and performing arts with a concentration in theatre rekindled my passion for acting and performing. It opened so many opportunities outside of school, including stand-up comedy and acting as a film extra.

My work in communication is influenced by my experiences in theatre. My capstone project is about promoting theatrical productions. Some of the work came from my perspective as an actor in the production. This is a unique perspective that I gained because I  added my VPA major.

Later this month, I will be a graduate of Worcester State. But I am leaving with more than just a degree; I am leaving with a passion for what I do, a deeper understanding of my craft, and most importantly, a community that I know I can always look to for support.

Worcester State will always be home.

WSU’s Speech & Debate Tackles Tough Issues

By James Joyce, guest blogger

Gabriella DeAngelis rehearses lines with Michale Friedrich for the upcoming performance of Speech & Debate.

It isn’t often a play stays socially relevant for over a decade after it opens. Stephen Karam’s Speech & Debate does just that.

Four Worcester State University freshmen are rehearsing Speech & Debate, led by Student Director Erick Lindenberger.

Set in the small town of Salem, Oregon, the play follows three high school outcasts who band together to form a speech and debate club.

Throughout the play, the protagonists deal with pressing social issues such as sexual harassment in schools, teen pregnancy, and acceptance of LGBTQ youth.

I recently interviewed student director Erick Lindenberger.

James: “How are you going about presenting the serious themes in Speech & Debate?”

Erick: “I’d like to present the themes as matter of fact. They aren’t out there, they’re everyday occurrences. Sexual harassment in school is an everyday occurrence, we just don’t always hear about it. My goal is to portray these issues as realistically as possible.”

James: “What does it mean to you to be able to present such issues?”

Erick: “It gives me and everyone involved the chance to open up a dialogue in a way that can benefit the victims of such crimes.”

Erick Lindenberger directs Speech & Debate. His directorial debut at WSU’s Visual and Performing Arts Department.

James: “How have your experiences as a gay teen influenced the way you direct the show?”

Erick: “I think I have an understanding of what the characters are going through. I relate to one of the characters who is in the closet because that’s something I experienced in high school. I think I bring a certain empathy to be able to direct characters who are LGBTQ.”

James: “Ultimately, what do you hope to communicate to the audience?”

Erick: “I want people to listen to the victims of sexual harassment, to listen to LGBTQ kids and teens, to listen to teens who are going through something like a pregnancy scare or needing an abortion. They’re often looked at very judgmentally when that is the opposite of what they need.”

Lindenberger later added that he hopes parents will bring their teens, but because of the nature of the show he recommends leaving younger children at home.

Worcester State University’s production of Speech & Debate runs May 2-4 at 8pm and May 5 at 2pm in the Fuller Theater. For tickets call the box office at 508-929-8843 or send an email to vpaboxoffice@worcester.edu.

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VPA Chair Brings One-Act to Worcester State

By James Joyce, VPA and Communication major, guest blogger

While driving to a funeral in Vermont, Worcester State University Visual and Performing Arts Chair Adam Zahler called his friend, Kent Cassella.

As they chatted, Cassella brought up a show the duo performed twice in 1978, The Duck Variations.

“You know, I was thinking about Duck Variations,” said Casella. “We’re right at that age now.”

Adam Zahler and Kent Cassella in full make-up from a newspaper clipping of their original performance in The Duck Variations.

The Duck Variations by David Mamet offers a discussion between two old men sitting on a park bench. They make observations about life and human nature, and present these observations as facts about ducks. Their humorous and insightful arguments reveal their conflicting worldviews.

Zahler and Cassella first produced The Duck Variations as the first show of Second Stage, the Vermont-based theatre company they co-founded.

Now Zahler and Cassella are remounting the show for Worcester State in the Fuller Theater on March 28… with the same three players.

Zahler and Cassella even brought the director from their 1978 performances, Jonathan Bourne, onboard direct the show.

Adam Zahler

Kent Cassella

In an interview, Professor Zahler offered some insights about the show.

The rehearsal process began over Skype, which presented both technical and acting issues.

Zahler said, “Invariably, 20 to 30 minutes of any one of our rehearsals was ‘this isn’t working, where’s John, what happened to John?’ and that part was very funny.”

As for the acting issues, Zahler said, “We couldn’t bring it to performance readiness that way. We were missing the tactile stuff that comes with being in a room together and all of the minute interactions.”

Zahler doesn’t want to “spill the beans” because he is hosting a talk back after the performance, but there are a few more highlights from the interview I have to share.

When asked how the original production impacted his career, he said, “I didn’t know if I could start a theatre company. I didn’t know if I could make something successful. After Duck Variations, I knew we could do it.”

Zahler ended the interview with this:

“It’s really nice being back together with my friends. It was heartbreaking when we broke up. It’s not that we lost touch with each other, but working together again, it’s just delicious.”

I asked if he’d like to add anything else.

“Quack.”

The only chance to catch this performance is March 28 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 for students, $10 for seniors, and $14 for general admission. To reserve tickets, call the Worcester State Box Office at 508-929-8843 or send an email to vpaboxoffice@worcester.edu. Tickets are also at the door.

Taking on Peter Pan

By James Joyce, Visual and Performing Arts and Communication major — And, Peter.

Hey Lancers,

This is James Joyce blogging for the Artful Lancer. I am a Visual and Performing Arts theatre student in my final semester at Worcester State.

James Joyce with Shyiesha Brown in Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage. 

If anybody told me when I was a freshman that I’d spend my final semester at Worcester State working on the lead role in Peter and the Starcatcher, I wouldn’t have believed it. I entered Worcester State as a Communication major with no plans to do theatre. I quickly realized I missed the stage. I added a VPA major, auditioned for The Seagull, and somehow arrived here, playing Peter Pan.

This role is my capstone project. As part of that, I am researching subjects that inform my playing of Peter. Later in the semester, I’ll turn in a written account of the rehearsal process and what I learned from the experience. At the end of the semester, I must present my findings and defend the value of the project to earn my VPA degree.

Typically, when students undertake an acting capstone, they are assigned a role long before casting takes place. When I was assigned the role of Peter last summer, I knew that it would be my greatest acting challenge to date.

A challenge of playing Peter Pan is making the character my own. Many people, including myself, remember Disney’s Peter Pan or Robin Williams’s iconic performance in Hook. I haven’t seen these in many years, and I consciously decided to stay away from them. I am proud of the uniqueness of my portrayal.

Even though I stayed away from studying other actors as Peter, I encountered several references directly from Peter Pan that require me to take inspiration from other portrayals – namely, Peter’s iconic crow. It is the same rooster crow you’ll hear from a Peter Pan actor at Disney World. I actually learned to crow by watching YouTube videos of these Peters crowing. The crow is fun to do and I’d recommend learning it, even if you aren’t playing Peter.

This show is much different from the previous pieces I’ve worked on at Worcester State. I enjoyed my experiences working on Intimate Apparel and The Seagull, but they were dramatic and dark. Peter and the Starcatcher takes a lighter and more comedic tone. It even features songs and a mermaid dance number choreographed by student choreographer, Brett St. Onge.

Our design team created a set that transports the audience to exciting locations such as the pirate ship known as the Neverland and the jungles of Mollusk Island.

Susan Johnson-Hood’s costumes are spectacular. These range from shiny, colorful mermaids and swashbuckling pirates to poor, filthy orphans. This is the first show I’ve seen at Worcester State that allows such exciting character costumes.

I could not have asked for a better cast to perform my capstone show. The large cast allows me to work with so many new actors and make so many new friends.

I share most of my scenes with Molly, played by Bellalorraine Carey-Hicks. She is an incredibly professional actress and I’m so impressed with the work she’s done. She’s in her first year and, although she wants to design costumes more than she wants to act, I’d say Worcester State can look forward to several more of her performances.

Many scenes are also shared with the Lost Boys, Prentiss and Ted, played by Brett St. Onge and Autumn Thebodo. They have infectious comedic chemistry and it’s so much fun sharing a stage with them.

I’m also the box office manager. You can visit or call the box office Monday-Thursday from 10am-2pm, or email me at vpaboxoffice@worcester.edu to reserve tickets. Tickets are $8 for students, $14 for seniors, and $18 for general admission. Peter and the Starcatcher offers shows on Feb. 28 – March 2 at 8 p.m. and March 3 at 2 p.m.

I can’t wait to see you all there!

VPA Students Gain Accolades for Their Work in the Arts

By Lyn Branscomb, VPA coordinator of public programming

Fight Choreography Earns Praise

Kim Collazo, ‘17 , visual and performing arts major, recently received accolades for her work as a fight choreographer on a production of Hamlet for Poor Yorick Productions in Dallas, Texas.

The Column Online by John Garcia, as reviewed by Mark-Brian Sonna, wrote:

“Miron (director) also smartly hired a Fight chorographer. WOW! The word fight in the final scene made me jump out of my skin. It was so real, rapid, and violent it truly felt like a fight had broken out on stage. I must tip my hat to Kim Collazo who choreographed the violence. I can’t recall ever seeing a stage combat scene that made my pulse quicken. It rivaled the film versions I’ve seen.”

Kim Collazo performs with Erick Lindenberger in A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 2016.

Collazo gained experience as an active member of VPA’s theatre program. She held roles in Twelfth Night (2014), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2016) and Almost Maine (2017). In addition to her acting roles, she was the assistant director for Boeing, Boeing (2017) and the director for Marisol (2015).

VPA Music Student Earns National Award

Ian Simpson, ’19, recently earned accolades at the national level for writing and performing a song titled “No More.” He was one of three winners in his age bracket, 19-26. After counting the 16,000 votes, he earned one of three spots as a winner of a national competition sponsored by Jewish Rock Radio.

The grand prize award offers Simpson private mentorship by Jewish celebrity recording artists, a professional recording of his original song and exposure for his music over Jewish Rock Radio.

WSU Student Art at Arts Worcester College Show

On view in the Aurora Gallery of Arts Worcester are artworks from eight WSU students as part of the 15^th Annual College Show which opened Feb. 1 and remains open until Feb. 23. The show also exhibits pieces from students in other area colleges.

Congrats to these WSU VPA artists: George Annan Jr., Laurel Feinberg, Jasmine Fouracre, Kayli Lopriore, Colin Plante, Maura Sheehan, Emi Suzuki and Kelsi Whittemore.

A Rollercoaster With No Destination: The Baltimore Waltz

By Tim Mulkern, VPA PR and marketing intern

Theatre mirrors society. The great playwrights challenge societal norms and the feelings projected from the stage highlight changes in ways of thinking.

 

Erik Lindenberger, who takes on the role of Carl, ponders his sister’s recently diagnosed, Acquired Toiler Disease. 

In Paula Vogel’s play, “The Baltimore Waltz,” which takes place in the context of the AIDS epidemic of the late 1980s and early 1990s, the three characters drive home heartache and laughter with hopes of inspiring thought within the audience. The play has consistently opened to great applause since its first performance in 1992, and now Worcester State University students perform the play Nov. 1 – 4 in Fuller Theater.

 

Revolving around Anna and her recently diagnosed, Acquired Toilet Disease,  a comedic trip through Europe ensues as Anna and her brother, Carl, hope to find a cure for the illness. The play reflects and critiques the confusion and chaos of the AIDS epidemic of the time and wraps it around a comedic core.

Adam Zahler, one of the three faculty members who chose this play for WSU students,  said it’s essentially “a rollercoaster with no destination.” He expands on that metaphor saying it perfectly captures the “chaos, fear and dizzying confusion” of an era when AIDS was disrupting the country, and it seemed little action was taken to combat the disease.  

Like many great plays, “The Baltimore Waltz” critiques a serious issue through comedy. “The play is really, really funny,” said Zahler with a grin, “but it addresses a difficult topic too.”

Humor is a strong vehicle for conveying a tough topic into people’s minds and hearts; difficult topics are easier to handle when one can laugh at it, and Paula Vogel does this best.

Nick Longo, who plays the Third Man, said he finds the comedy key to the story, as well as challenging. He said, “I’ve loved the challenge of hopping into a different character’s shoes in just about every scene and trying to convey a different style of humor with each one.”

Nick Longo and Emily Faulkner rehearse a scene from The Baltimore Waltz, opening Nov. 1 – 4 in Fuller Theater.

The comedy is distinct and diverse throughout the play, and while it provides laughter, it also stirs up conversations about an epidemic that is just as prevalent today as it was in the past.

 

Another reason theatre faculty chose this play was to challenge the students. “This production has been more challenging than any show I’ve ever worked on before,” said Longo. With only three students in the cast, it provides a challenge for students, as they are given a larger load to bear, but the students are taking the challenge with enjoyment. “We’ve gotten so close as a group,” said Emily Faulkner, who plays Anna. “There’s a nice bond that I think would be a little harder to find with a larger cast.”

In The Baltimore Waltz, the three actors are almost always on stage together, which presents them with large and significant roles and the challenge to humanize their characters. For this play, the actors extensively researched their characters, the story, and the background of the play, to better understand and perform their characters.

Researching movie scenes, and reading background information became the norm in the creation of the production. “It was almost a bit surreal to receive an official assignment from him to watch The Pink Panther 2 so I could imitate a comedic ‘Hollywood’ French accent,” said Long.

The students also coordinated language lessons with WSU foreign language professors for more realistic pronunciations of some lines in foreign languages.

The actors take great pride in their roles and the energy they put into the production. Faulkner said, “By playing Anna, I feel as though I’m playing Paula Vogel and, for that reason, I’m putting a lot of heart into this play.”

The context and background of the play hold a significance that the actors honor throughout the production. Paula Vogel wrote the play in honor of her brother, who died of AIDS, so the play takes on a heavy load hidden behind the comedy.

“It’s really nice that even though the real-life Carl may have passed, he won’t be forgotten,” said Longo regarding Vogel’s brother, however, the same statement pertains to all those that have passed away from AIDS; they aren’t forgotten.

The play debuts at Worcester State on Thursday, Nov. 1  and runs through Nov. 4. It features Emily Faulkner as Anna, Erick Lindenberger as Carl, and Nicholas Longo as the Third Man.

Faulkner has one final thought to share: “I hope everyone who comes is ready for a good time (and scene 12, be ready for scene 12).”

Shows run Nov. 1 – 3 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. Purchase tickets through VPABoxOffice@worcester.edu or call (508) 929-8843. Tickets are $14 general public, $10 seniors and $7 students.

Use the Arts to Reduce End of Year Stress

By: Ciera Cutten, VPA PR and Marketing Intern

 

Puppies and Art — what a way to de-stress. VPA offers all the art you want during Extreme ART-ery, April 18 – May 8.

 

Spring semester never fails to present a challenge to students and faculty — the changing of the seasons, warm summer days just on the horizon, and of course, graduation. With finals just a mere five weeks away with summer to follow, stress among students and faculty mounts and anticipation for a break grows.

Along with therapy dogs and stress management seminars, on-campus organizations provide events aimed at promoting relaxation leading up to finals.

While dogs and seminars are great outlets for controlling stress and promoting positive mental health, the arts also offer an avenue to ease the mind.

From April 18 – May 8, the Visual and Performing Arts Department hosts Extreme ART-ery, a collage of events celebrating student work from various music, art, and theater courses taught this semester.

Each event allows students to submerge themselves in artwork, live music, or a riveting theater show – giving the mind a break from studying, job searches and graduation.

The various art shows, live music, and a theater performance take place on- and off-campus and are open to students, faculty and the public. All, but two, events are free. VPA sells tickets for admission to Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage and Dvořák Mass in D Major, op. 86 by Antonin Dvořák. Purchase tickets at the door, plus – theatre tickets at VPABoxOffice@worcester.edu and Dvořák tickets at cnigro@worcester.edu

Intimate Apparel is this year’s final theatre performance. It is a heartbreakingly real story about a black woman in 1905 New York overcoming monumental obstacles. Dvořák Mass is performed by the combined voices of WSU’s Chorus, Chorale, and Alumni Singers.

Extreme ART-ery takes place each spring, but events vary year to year. Staple events include the Spring Mosaic, Spring Concert, the Student Art Exhibition, and a theatre show.

The Visual and Performing Arts Departments believes it is important to keep the arts and creativity alive on campus and within the classroom. And, they’re good for mental health, especially as a stress reliever.

For a full list of events and details visit https://www.worcester.edu/extreme-art-ery/. Come and visit, take time to relax, support your friends and fellow students.

Lancer in the Limelight: Barrera Works Outside Her Comfort Zone

By Ciera Cutten, VPA PR and Marketing Intern

Krystal Barrera reviews her costume designs for Anon(ymous) by Naomi Iizuka which runs March 2 – 4, 2018.

Auburn, Massachusetts native and Worcester State University junior Krystal Barrera talks double majoring, theater life, and Anon(ymous).

Since her start at WSU, Barrera began acting in every show VPA produces. In this latest show, Anon(ymous), Barrera is the costume designer and stage manager. She decided to take on a different role apart from acting to gain a new experience. Not only does she design the costumes and manage the cast, she also creates outfits by hand for the characters.

When discussing her involvement in theater productions at WSU, Barrera described a sense of community. Like a sports team, the cast members become a family, especially the members who stay year after year. Watching others progress throughout their time in theater brings Barrera a sense of joy.

Barrera said, “Personalities come out and you become proud to see how far someone has come since the beginning of the show.”

All of the WSU productions include students from diverse majors such as nursing, biology, communication and business, and, of course, visual and performing arts. Students from all over campus, from different majors, clubs, sports, and organizations participate in producing a show including set design, costume design, actors, and actresses.

Being part of the production adds to Barrera’s academic and community experience at WSU.

Since transferring to WSU in the fall of 2016 from Loyola University in Maryland, Barrera immersed herself in classes and club activities. A dedicated and exemplary student, Barrera finds little time to slack off. She double majors in theater and elementary education, and is a part of the Latino Education Institute. In Maryland, she participated in Soccer without Borders and volunteered with refugee youth groups in Baltimore.

Since childhood, Barrera found herself heavily involved in acting. Taking a year off while at Loyola, Barrera realized that she missed acting and the theater life. She wishes to teach and act after graduation.

“It’s a great experience, you meet so many people,” said Barrera on what it is like to be a part of the theater life.

The production, Anon(ymous) by Namoi Iizuka, tells the stories of refugees and ties into what is happening in the real world. “It is a story that needs to be told,” said Barrera. It is easy to sweep negative events under the rug, especially when they are not happening to you.”

Anon(ymous) opens March 1, 2, and 3 at 8 p.m. and March 4 at 2 p.m. in Fuller Theater. Find more information at https://www.worcester.edu/Exhibits-and-Performances/.

 

After Mastering Challenging Comedic Timing, Student Actors Are Ready Fly

By Robbie Moll, Media Writing CM105

With Worcester State University’s production of “Boeing, Boeing” debuting on April 27, only three days away, the cast and crew rehearse to master the fast-paced comedic timing required in this classic farce by Mark Camoletti.

Austin Gannon, a business major and visual and performing arts theatre student, plays the role of Robert, a long-time friend of the lead character Bernard, played by Eddie Sanchez.

“I like to act,” said Gannon. “Every play I do I learn more.”

Austin said he prefers dramatic and serious roles and finds it difficult to play a comedic role like “Boeing, Boeing’s” Robert.

Robert’s role is the foil in the play as he can’t keep straight the fiancée rotation of his friend, Bernard. Bernard finds folly in balancing the schedules of three fiancées, all flight attendants. When Boeing builds a faster jet, it throws off the rhythms of his sexual encounters. Three fiancées. One Man. Lots of sex. What could go wrong?

Eddie Sanchez, who plays Bernard, has never held a role in a comedy and finds the challenge of a farce a new learning experience. The VPA major studies acting and directing at Worcester State and said it is “wonderful to learn as an actor and a director the basic elements of farcical comedy.”

For Eddie, it’s faking intimacy that has proven difficult. His character Bernard struggles to balance three fiancés throughout the play. As an actor, Eddie finds it tough to “create a private space in a public space,” as he described it. He talked about the difficulty of creating a moment you might share with a significant other behind closed doors with over a hundred people watching you.

Both Eddie and Austin face the challenge to master the comedic timing, they both feel lucky that their roles don’t require them to learn strong accent. Their castmate, Shyiesha Brown, must master an Italian accent for her role as Gabriella, Bernard’s Italian fiancé. It isn’t easy. She described “Boeing, Boeing” as one of the hardest plays she has worked on.

“Boeing, Boeing” is a farce comedy that involves a lot of timing-based jokes and jokes dependent on the entry and exit of the stage. Between learning a foreign accent and finding the perfect timing for every joke, Shyiesha has found the play both challenging and rewarding.

Walking through the challenges of their many rehearsals, the hard work and stress of organizing “Boeing, Boeing’s” careful comedic timing brought the cast closer. Shyiesha described the cast as “a little family” and Austin was not hesitant to say he loved them all.

Krystal Barrera, the elementary education and VPA double major who plays the New Yorker fiancé Gloria , said that it is “easy to work with everyone” and she likes the camaraderie of the cast.

Every member of the cast said they were grateful for their part in “Boeing, Boeing” and are glad to be a part of it. “I always look forward to putting on a good production,” said Austin about why he enjoyed theatre at Worcester State.

For students interested in participating in theatre at WSU, auditions for the plays are typically held the second week of each semester. WSU produces three shows per academic year; one department run show a semester as well as a student-directed show in the spring.  Students are also creating a theatre club that is currently in the works. Eddie Sanchez described it as “a theatre club by students for students.”

Boeing, Boeing opens at Worcester State University on April 27, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. with following shows on April 28 and 29 and 8:00 p.m. and April 30 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets cost $14 for the general public, $10 for senior citizens, and $7 for students and can be purchased at the Worcester State Box Office. For more information, contact 508-929-8145 or visit the Visual and Performing Arts Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VPAatWorcesterState/.