The theatrical comedy of “Tartuffe” is considered one of the most famous plays written by Moliere. As the Creighton students bring this performance to life, it would not be shocking to see the show as a huge success, with our talented fellow students involved.

The play of “Tartuffe” tells the story of a dysfunctional family, who falls victim to a religious pretender. This hypocrite, known as Tartuffe, attempts to take all of the family’s valuables in order to satisfy his own selfish hunger.

The main characters within this story, are: Orgon, the father and husband, who welcomes Tartuffe into his home, played by Arts & Sciences junior Daniel Christensen; the religious hypocrite Tartuffe, played by Arts & Sciences junior, Michael Conroy; Elmire, Orgon’s wife, played by Arts & Sciences sophomore, Elizabeth Dagle; Elmire’s brother, Cleante, played by Arts & Sciences sophomore, Austin Spillane; and finally the sarcastic, opinionated, head maid Dorine, played by Arts & Sciences senior Shannon Lampkin, who tries to protect the family from Tartuffe.

As part of her senior thesis, Lampkin is using “Tartuffe” as her project for her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in theatre performance.

“In all honesty, what excites me the most about this show are the characters and the language,” Lampkin said. “Part of the reason why the play has survived since the late 17th century is because of the social statements it plays and the realistic people it shows. Human folly is exposed in this play on everyone’s part and it makes it very easy for everyone to relate to the characters and spend some time laughing at themselves.”

Like Lampkin, Conroy is using the production and his role of the title character as a thesis for his degree.

“Playing such a role is a wonderful challenge to take on,” Conroy said. “He’s such a horrible, evil little man, but if he’s played as just that, it comes across quite flat and predictable. It is my goal in portraying the character to find his humanity in his actions and make him multidimensional and interesting to watch.”

The show is an older one, making the language quite difficult to both master and memorize. But to most actors performing in this show, the experience is rewarding, benefiting the actors with more experience and practice.

“I have personally benefited greatly from being a part of this production as it has been the greatest challenge I’ve ever had as an actor. The learning process throughout from rhyming couplets to moving in a corset has been a spectacular journey, and it has been my favorite acting experience to date,” Lampkin said.

The efforts of both students and faculty towards the production reach beyond the performers that audience members will see on stage. Along with Lampkin and Conroy, Arts & Sciences senior Mary Kate Gliedt is using the production as a thesis for her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in technical theatre. This production is also enabling two Arts & Sciences sophomores to experience directing first hand.

This production is a learning experience for everyone involved, including director and assosciate professor Alan Klem.

“I have never directed Moliere, and as far as I can tell, neigher has anyone else at Creighton.  So it’s a first for all of us,” Klem said”

“[Klem] has been fantastic to work with as he has really led all of us into this play with a great sense of the style and vision we should strive to achieve,” Lampkin said.

Assistant directors and Arts & Sciences sophomores Ephriam Harnsberger and Emma Rasmussen each got to try their hand at directing scenes in the show.

“[Harnsberger and Rasmussen] have also been great to work with as they both provided a fresh eye and approach to the script from which we could draw ideas. All around, the directors have been extremely receptive to the creativity of the actors and drawn the best from us while retaining a through line for the whole,” Lampkin said.

“I think that all three provide a great deal of energy and ingenuity into their work of staging such a classic work,” Conroy said.

After rehearsing since mid February, Lampkin said she is most excited to have an audience.

“It’s strange to recognize that ‘Tartuffe’ will be my last production at Creighton, however I couldn’t imagine leaving here on a better note and it makes me even more excited for the future” Lampkin said.

Tartuffe will not only take you by surprise with its witty intellect, but will also leave you smiling at all the funny silliness performed.

“That’s the great thing about working with this cast; everyone gives it everything they’ve got,” Conroy said.

“Its been fun of all of us I think,” Klem said. “When you get good creative actors on the stage moving and talking the lines, all of the sudden great things come about that I at least didn’t see when I was just reading it.”

Come and support your fellow Creighton students, as they perform the show Tartuffe, April 11-13 and 18-20, with a matinee performance April 21 at 2pm. Tickets for students are just $5, general admission costs $18 and seniors pay $15.