Theatre season ends with an Earnest show in Turner Chapel
Posted by The Skyliner on April 21st, 2010James Chip Moore
Staff Writer
As the spring semester comes to a close, the theatre department is preparing to perform one final play before the summer break. Besides being the last play of the semester, there is another ending that comes with the North Greenville University production of The Importance of Being Earnest. It will be the final play held inside Turner Chapel. The new playhouse, Billings Theatre, is set to open by the fall semester.
Billings Theatre will give the theatre department new life and opportunities.
Dale Savidge, chair department of theatre, listed one of those options as being able to paint the stage and scenery.
Turner Chapel puts limitations on the theatre department in the small amount of room they are given to put their props and set pieces. Those limitations influence the simplicity of the sets in the present plays. A lot of hard work goes into creativity within the boundaries of Turner Chapel.
“Research, research, research,” said Assistant Professor of Design Marlaina Seay when asked about the creative process put into developing the sets.“It’s all in the details. If the details are off, your show is off.”
Sets have to be scaled down to their barest elements to fit into the parameters given to the department.
“It looks simple, but actors have to do a lot more,” said Becca Kosobucki, junior theatre, when asked about the obstacles that come with the limited sets.
The guidelines used in creating and designing the sets are determined by the budget resources.
A lot of time and effort is put into each performance. Every detail is scrutinized down to the placement of the birdcage, how far to open the curtains, what color flower to place on the costume and how big the candy bowl should be. Getting to opening day is a meticulous process that demands a great deal from all participants.
Every weeknight except Thursdays is used to practice performance and design. The weekend rehearsal comes right before opening night.
Bethany Sarazen, senior theatre, when asked about her challenging role said it was “really fun to leave on this note.”
.NGU’s production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, will open Thursday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. in Turner Chapel. It will play for three consecutive nights, April 22-24.
Tags: Spring 2010, Vol. 110 - Issue 12