Sarah Leddy, Samantha Kern and Eric Mulholland chant to the goddesses in the second act of “Cloud 9,” now playing in Dailey Theatre. / photo by Juan Garcia
story and photography by Juan Garcia
“Cloud 9,” written by Caryl Churchill, opened last night in the University of La Verne’s Dailey Theatre. The play, which addresses the oppression of sexual preferences and gender roles throughout society, follows the lives of a family that ages 25 years between acts, while the world ages more than 100 years. The first act is set in Africa during British colonization in the late 18th century, while the second act is set in present time and it takes place in a London park.
However, the production of a play is much more than understanding the lines, lights, costumes and set. About 40 students and faculty worked on this production, from building sets, to gathering props, to running lights and sound during the show. One of the unique aspects of this play is that both acts take place on different stages.
The first act, an act that is more of a presentation, takes place on the main stage. The second act, a bit more intimate, takes place in the Cabaret Theatre.
Director Steve Kent works with Sarah Leddy in developing her character of Maud. Since it is a British play, the actors not only had to develop each character but also learn British accents. / photo by Juan GarciaEric Mulholland applies make-up to prepare his character of Betty in the first act. The playwright created the part of Betty to be played by a man in order to further emphasize gender roles in the play. / photo by Juan GarciaKent and sceneographer David Flaten look on as lighting designer Beth Pietrzak and her construction crew Sara Wilhoit and Stephanie Barraco plant grass on the stage. Real grass was used in the Cabaret Theatre for the second act, set in a London park. / photo by Juan GarciaThe play was directed using the European style, in which textual analysis extends for weeks before scenes are blocked. The cast met for two weeks, reading lines and developing characters before working on the stage. / photo by Juan Garcia
The University of La Verne's theater arts department is showing “Proof,” written by David Auburn, a Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Sean Dillon, professor of theatre arts, is director.
