Twice a year the Clarence Brown Theatre premiers “studio series” shows in the lab theatre to showcase undergraduate students and give them the opportunity to work with a faculty director. The fall semester’s installment of this series is “Recent Tragic Events.” The play opened Wednesday, and runs today at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The show is directed by Terry Silver-Alford, a faculty member, and the stage is managed by Elizabeth Hendrich, an undergraduate theatre major. The designers are also students. Angela Reed designed the costumes, Brian Barker designed the sets, Julianne Berney did lighting and Heather Bryson is responsible for the sound. The cast of undergraduate theatre majors include Savannah Tomlin, Chris Bell, Amanda Kaschak, Ashe Edwards and Jonathan Seymore.
“Recent Tragic Events” was written in 2002 by Craig Wright. It takes place in Minneapolis, Minn., on Sept. 12, 2001, the day after 9-11. The show starts with Waverly waiting for her blind date Andrew to arrive. It is soon revealed that Waverly has a twin sister who lives in New York City with whom there has been no contact since the attack on the World Trade Center. It is uncertain if Waverly’s sister was at risk or not. Over the course of the night that ensues there are strange occurrences which affect the lives of the five characters.
According to Alford, “The play explores a number of philosophical issues including fate, free will and chance. ‘Recent Tragic Events’ is a microcosm of the larger 9-11 experience and the play presents ‘ordinary people’ coping with an extraordinary situation in both humorous and compelling ways.”
Seymore adds that the show is about “how 9-11 affected different people.” He adds that it also delves into choice and good intentions and the consequences and affects of out actions, as well as “perspectives on what is good and what is evil.” He also said that the play is very cool and different, which Silver-Alford has taken a neat approach to.
The play will be presented at no cost to the public.
