A collage of original plays created by 26 Ohio Wesleyan University student playwrights, directors, and actors will be presented in March with “PHOTO PLAYS! Flashes of Brilliance.” Based on the 24-hour theatre concept, the performances will evolve over four consecutive six-day “labs.”
First, the actors will be photographed wearing a costume and carrying a prop of their choosing. A director then will select photos of one or two actors and give the images to a playwright, who has two days to write a short playscript. The director then will have two days to rehearse the playscript with the actors before it is showcased for all company members. A total of 24 productions will be created.
The company will select 12 productions for public performances at 8 p.m. on March 18, 19, 25 and 26, and at 2 p.m. March 27. All performances will be held in the Studio Theatre in OWU’s Chappelear Drama Center.
“The range of styles and breadth of themes is pretty impressive for college students,” says Bonnie Milne Gardner, professor of Theatre & Dance and artistic director for the production. “My job has been to structure the endeavor and coach the artists. During the creative process, the students collaborated in a more intense and organic manner than normal. All of the artists had to make immediate, unique, informed choices and follow through with their ideas in a very short period of time.”
One new and unique feature with PHOTO PLAYS is that audience members will have the chance to create a six-line skit during each of the performances – based on two photos that will be posted in the theatre lobby showing two actors wearing costumes and carrying props. The winning submissions will be selected during intermission. Afterward, the actors will work with a student writer and director backstage to create a skit to be presented near the conclusion of that evening’s performance.
General admission tickets for “PHOTO PLAYS! Flashes of Brilliance” are $10, $5 for students and senior citizens. Call (740) 368-3855 for reservations. This production may contain mature content.
The production designer is D. Glen Vanderbilt, professor of Theatre & Dance; the stage manager is senior Gabby Libby; and the production manager is senior Sam Owen.
