Theatre majors gain experience with production of Undone
Posted by The Skyliner on October 7th, 2009Kyra Alexander
Staff Writer
Two theatre majors, Lindsay Ross and Karla Neves, are bringing the production of Undone to North Greenville.
Ross decided to write the play for her senior project.
She wanted to do a topic of a social problem for people to relate to. She decided on divorce.
“Almost everyone has been affected by divorce,” Ross said.
Ross researched and interviewed certain people and used different pieces of information in this play.
“The story line evolved through all the research and trial and error,” Ross said.
This is Ross’ first full-length play that she has written.
“I’ve always enjoyed writing but it’s been hard to share my writings with others,” Ross said. “I am not wanting to become a playwright full-time, but this will not be the last play I write.”
Ross explained that watching the rehearsals was exciting.
“You may write it one way and see it one way in your head but when you hand it off to an actor they could interpret it differently and in a way you had never thought of before,” Ross said.
Ross continued saying that this is what she loves most about theatre.
“Come with an open mind, know these characters are real and relatable, and come with an expectation to learn,” Ross concluded.
For Neves’ senior project, she decided to direct Ross’ play.
“After reading the play, I went into auditions thinking I knew who would be in the play’s cast,” Neves said. “I ended up finding a better cast than I ever would have imagined.”
Neves had a new challenge to deal with—a six-year-old actress, Kendall.
“I was freaked out when I read in the script that there had to be a six-year-old in the play,” Neves said. “I am not good with children and it was going to be very hard to find a six-year-old that could do it.”
In the end, they found Kendall, who“fit the part perfectly,” Neves said.
“The good thing was that Kendall came in knowing all her lines and fit in great with the rest of the cast; the bad thing was that I found out early as her director that kids do not do something if they do not want to,” Neves said.
Neves commented on being nervous at the first rehearsal with Kendall because “kids do whatever they want to on stage even when you’re telling them what to do, but it’s been an exciting process.”
“It is also so much fun to see the actors grow into their characters and see how the characters end up at the performances,” Neves explained. “Theatre is a discovery process.”
Neves said that she did not know if she would become a director, a teacher or a drama missionary but wherever God takes her, her love for theatre will never change.
“The play is powerful, it’s challenging, and it will leave you wondering: are your relationships Undone?” Neves said.
Not only are Neves and Ross doing their senior project together but they are also roommates.
When asked about how it is to work with your roommate of three years, they both had interesting answers.
“Working with the playwright has been a wonderful and challenging experience,” Neves said. “It took a while to find out whose responsibilities were whose but after working through minor difficulties it’s been a successful experience. The closeness and relationship between us has grown and I’ve enjoyed having her around at rehearsals to bounce ideas off of.”
“I learned to be flexible in the beginning to things that might need to change and respected her decisions,” Ross said. “Your friend is right there for you to talk to, we are able to resolve all conflicts maturely, and it’s fun not a problem, working with her.”
The performances of Undone are Oct.14 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. as a part of BSU.
Tags: Fall 2009, Vol. 109 - Issue 5