Fall theatre kicks off this week
November 11, 2009
By Valeree Dunn
A&E Reporter
This fall the UIS theatre department has been asking a lot of questions. “How far would you go for love? For art? What concessions would you make? What price would you be willing to pay?”
Their upcoming production, Neil LaBute’s “The Shape of Things” excites these themes, causing the viewer to ponder the answers to these questions. The play’s contemporary and modern themes embody the Midwestern college experience while exploring some controversial ideas.
Carol Schulte (left) and Joey Cruse star in “The Shape of Things” as the artist Evelyn and the nerdy Adam. |
“The Shape of Things” is a play that director Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson says college students will gravitate towards.
“I don’t think it is [controversial] but it’s not for everyone. Due to the language and some situations in this play it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. It’s not for children; it’s for mature audiences,” he said.
“The Shape of Things” is a contemporary play that explores themes of human nature and the furthest extent that people will go to for love and art.
Evelyn, an aggressively attractive artist begins dating Adam, an average and shy college student. Over the course of their relationship, Adam begins to make some extreme changes in his appearance and demeanor. The play has a surprise ending, challenging the viewer’s ideas on the truths of art and love.
The UIS Mainstage play stars Joey Cruse as Adam, Carol Schulte as Evelyn, Lauren Braden as Jenny, and Kevin Brownell as Phil.
This small four person cast is not typical for most UIS productions. A more immersed atmosphere in the acting process has been created by implementing this small cast, though. “We want to do it right,” said Thibodeaux-Thompson. “We’re striving to give them a professional experience.”
Senior Joey Cruse looks skeptically at a fellow performer. |
Twenty-eight actors auditioned for the place in “The Shape of Things,” making it difficult for the director to come to casting decisions.
“It was challenging because it was such a good turnout,” Thibodeaux-Thompson said. He also said that he doesn’t want that to deter students who are potentially interested in participating in a Mainstage production in the future, though. Over twenty students are involved in the production process, so that even if student isn’t cast they can still play an integral role in the theatre production.
Thibodeaux-Thompson looks for quality in his student actors, but he says one of the biggest factors is availability. For the last two months the cast has devoted every Sunday through Thursday night to rehearsals for “The Shape of Things.”
The theatre department started using “The Shape of Things” in acting classes and the student response was overwhelming. “Students were getting really jazzed about it. It seemed to really speak to them,” Thibodeaux-Thompson said.
“The Shape of Things” is one play that he particularly hopes students will attend.
The play will run in the Studio Theatre at UIS through Nov. 13, 14, 15, and Nov. 19, 20, 21.
New this semester is the 7:30p.m. opening time instead of the usual 8p.m. curtain. The Sunday matinee on Nov. 15 will still begin at 2p.m.
Tickets can be purchased in advance or directly before the show at the Sangamon Auditorium Ticket Office. Tickets are eight dollars and are cheapest if bought in person.
