Feb. 17, 2006

MC Theatre to premiere two brand new plays

By JASON E. WEBER
weberj@marietta.edu

The spring is an exciting time. Flowers bloom, birds return from their winter home, the air outside smells fresh with new life. Unfortunately for those students involved in theatre, they do no know what outside is during this season. Following precedent, the entire spring semester of shows aside from the one-act festival were cast at the beginning of this semester meaning that all four productions are in rehearsal at once. This creates a different excitement; a frenzy as the casts of the four productions work diligently as their openings approach.

Hermann is never a quiet place, but this time of year you can't enter the building without hearing lines from something. Rehearsal space is limited. We have only two theatres, and while sets are being built that means no rehearsal space. Directors have to get creative choosing the lobby, random classrooms, or even the costume shop as their rehearsal space.

The cast of first production of the semester can often be found in the lobby or upstairs surrounding tables constantly experimenting and editing two new plays. This production, 'Premiers,' is an evening of two one-act plays that will open next Thursday at 8:00 in Studio 101. The evening will feature '(title:pending)' a play by J. R. Shaw, recent graduate of Ashland University, directed by Marietta College Senior, Jackie Massé, and 'December 32nd' by Marietta College Junior, Jason E. Weber, directed by another MC Junior, Terry Doane.
The task of rehearsing two world premier scripts is a new and exciting challenge for the playwrights, the directors, and most importantly the cast, who were constantly asked to forget lines already learned and learn new ones. Constant rewrites and edits kept them on their feet.

The production of these plays is an interesting educational tactic used by the theatre department. The goal is to allow the students involved to have a glimpse of what it would be like to work on a new script professionally.

The show opens on February 23 at 8:00 p.m. and runs the 24th at 8:00 p.m., 25th at 8:00 p.m., and the 26th at 2:00 p.m. All performances of these World Premier Productions take place in Studio 101 of the Hermann Fine Arts Center. Reservations are encouraged. The box office can be reached at (740) 376-4678 for ticket reservations or any additional information.