by Tim Tevault
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Improvisation is key in the next play to take the stage at the Cabaret Theatre.
“Comings and Goings,” a theater “game,” is being presented this week in two separate productions by students from the intro to theatre class.
Directed by Steven Kent, the new play has a script and manner in which it is performed offering a unique twist to normal plays.
The one-act play is written for two characters, He and She. Instead of one actor and one actress being assigned to both roles, numerous actors will learn the entire play, males and females learning their respective parts.
Each actor is then assigned a number, and when their number is randomly selected, they must go up and perform from the line where the last actor left off. The play’s quick pace provides no room for pauses between the different scenes. In some cases, the actors portray inanimate objects.
When the actors are relieved, they wait off to the side of the stage until their number is called again. While waiting, they must concentrate on exactly where the scene is and follow it closely because they could be next to perform.
“It’s like practicing scales if you’re a musician,” said Kent. “It takes enormous concentration.”
The production has attracted the attention of some of the advanced acting students.
Several students from the acting studio class were interested, and they are now in the process of rehearsing for the play.
“Some of them (advanced acting students) wanted to do this because of the work involved,” said Kent.
“I think it’s just going to be fun,” said Samantha Kern, advanced acting student.
Cast member Sarah Leddy believes the production will be an “entertaining study break” between finals. Leddy and the cast attribute this to the fact that both productions will be entirely different, as different actors will be in different scenes, acting with different people.
“Comings and Goings” premieres Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. in the Cabaret Theatre and concludes on Thursday at 11:30 a.m.
