Natalia Rodriguez
Staff Writer
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.
“Proof” first premiered in May 2000. The play tells the story of Catherine, a gifted young woman who has been taking care of her mentally ill father, Robert, a mathematical genius. One day, Hal, one of Robert’s former graduate students, finds a mysterious mathematical proof in one of Robert’s notebooks, which leads to questions about the true authorship. The play centers around themes of mental health and familial relationships.
The story takes place in Robert and Catherine’s house in Chicago. Scene one for both acts opens with the two of them conversing, showcasing their complex dynamic with each other.
“The play has some interesting challenges,” Dillon said. “It also has some kind of heightened emotional content, and some of the roles require the actors to really get in touch with some real emotional material.”
“Working with these other actors feels really nice,” senior theatre arts major Evan Jacobson, who plays Robert, said. “The cast is very talented, very professional as well.”
The lighting and set, especially the projections during the transitions between each scene, helped to set the atmosphere. The cast stepped into their roles all the more because of it.
“I think I have such a different perspective on Catherine compared to the beginning when I first read the script,” junior kinesiology major Lauren Sandoval, who plays Catherine, said. “I’ve gotten to really know who she is, why she’s making these choices, and the grief that comes with playing her, and the emotional vulnerability that comes with it also.”
“Claire is very much an overprotective, maybe a little overbearing, sister-type,” said Kessid Cooper, a sophomore international studies major playing Claire. “Being a sister myself, I think, has helped me understand where she’s coming from more and not only see how she’s being annoying to Catherine. . . but also how she’s genuinely trying to help in the best way she knows.”
Both Sandoval and Cooper portrayed the script’s intricate sister dynamic using tense body language, varied expressions, and occasional emotional outbursts. Though Claire’s protective nature is seen when she speaks to Catherine, it is also shown during her one-on-one conversation with Hal in Act Two.
Jacobson, similarly, also drew from his own experiences in order to portray Robert. Though he only appears for three scenes, his performance brought the character to life, highlighting his imperfections primarily through his interactions with Catherine.
“Playing this role kind of made me think of how I could take aspects of my dad and kind of mold it into this role and to this character, and kind of dedicate this role to him,” Jacobson said.
“They’ve [actors] worked very hard and taken the work very seriously, and that really shows in the evolution of their performances over the rehearsal period,” Dillon said. “Nothing sharpens an actor’s skill more than a challenging piece of theater, and I think this is that.”
“Proof” starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Additional performances will be at 7:30 p.m. March 19 through 21 and 2 p.m. on March 22 at the Dailey Theatre. Ticket prices range from $7 to $18. Prices for students are $7.18.
For tickets, visit eventbrite.com/e/proof-tickets-1983643157081.
Natalia Rodriguez can be reached at natalia.rodriguez@laverne.edu.
Natalia Rodriguez is a senior creative writing and communications major. She is a member of ULV's The Blank Page Writer's Club and has served as a staff member for the school's literary magazine, Prism Review. She is currently arts editor and a staff photographer for the Campus Times and previously served as a staff writer.
Marina Bravo is a senior communications major with a concentration in public relations. She is arts editor and a staff photographer for the Campus Times, and has previously served as a staff writer and photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine. She enjoys going to live shows and everything spooky.
