EMILY WYNN
Scene Reporter
The student One-Acts tackle a new issue this year with “Suicide – Anyone?”
“It’s a lighter look at a scary subject,” said director Wesley Pourier, Arts & Sciences senior. “We’re not making fun of [suicide], it’s just the jumping-off point for the storyline.”
Pourier said he wanted to have a different theme this year than in years past. “Suicide – Anyone?” lends itself to that. The night’s three short plays, “Loyalty,” “Empathy”and “Confession,” look at suicide from three different perspectives, each complete with a distinct style, Pourier said.
The play was originally written by Pulitzer Prize Award-winner John Patrick in 1976. Students involved in the Creighton production had to adapt the storyline to fit modern-day conventions and references.
“It should be a fun night, not an uncomfortable one,” Pourier said. “People will take from it what they will, but I hope while they are in the audience they will laugh, be touched and think a little.”
Despite the somber topic, the show manages to leave the audience with a happy feeling, said actor Zach Holmes, Arts & Sciences freshman.
“A lot of the relationships in the show are very chaotic and unconventional relationships, and all of these poor and unconventional relationships sort of work themselves out so that it’s a happy ending,” Holmes said.
“It’s a funny show. It’s a comedy that makes dark humor out of a pretty heavy topic, but it’s presented in a really fun way and it’s just an awesome show.”
Students were involved in every component of the production’s design, including lighting, stagecraft and costumes.
“We got to do everything. We were basically given the theater. It’s made us really work as a community,” Pourier said.
Arts & Sciences students enthusiastically accepted the challenge of bringing the production to life. Senior Jerry Woiderski and sophomore Kenzie Hunter collaborated to do the lighting design, while junior Mallory Freilich created the costumes. The set was designed by junior Partick O’Malley and sophomore Dan Herman. Sophomore Joe Wright was in charge of sound.
The students have put in long hours and tested their capabilities to work in an environment that depends on a strong team effort.
“We are working together to solve all of our problems. Any time something comes up, if it’s a set question, you go and you find the set kids and you talk to them to get an understanding of it,” said stage manager Jake McCoy, Arts & Sciences freshman.
“It’s just been a good time working with everyone.”
The students involved have invested time and effort into making the night a success.
“You have to do it all on your own. If you don’t do it, it’s not going to get put together so you have to work together and you have to respect the people who are in charge,” said actor Kathleen Franco, Arts & Sciences sophomore.
“It’s basically like having a full-time job at some points,” Pourier said. “But we do it because we love it.”
“Suicide-Anyone?”
Nov. 12-14 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 15 at 2 p.m.
Lied Education Center for the Arts – Studio Theatre Student and faculty
Tickets are $5
Seats are first-come, first-served