From Nov. 4 – 8, the Fairfield University Theatre Program presented Holiday, Philip Barry’s bittersweet comedy of money and manners, in the Wien Experimental Theatre at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.
The production featured a cast of Fairfield students: Caroline Mack ’30, Zachary O’Connell ’29, Rebecca Almeida ’28, Tom Dunsby ’30, Cassie Arena ’28, David Ilagan ’29, Mia Parisi ’28, Clancy Molloy ’28, Diego Andrés Ramos Rivera ’30, and Sienna Giampaolo ’30, as well as adjunct assistant professor of theatre Tom Schwans.
“This play has been the most enjoyable project I have ever been able to work on,” said O’Connell, who played Johnny Case. “Getting to see everybody work so hard over the last month and watching it all come together is always an amazing experience.”
“This experience has been so positive for me,” said Mack, who played Linda Seton. “My character has been so fun to play and the production team and my castmates have really helped me start to feel more at home at Fairfield.”
New York Professionals Leading the Way
Obie-winning, professional director Rory Pelsue joined the program for the first time as director of Holiday. Pelsue is best known for directing the Off-Broadway production of The Last Bimbo of the Apocalypse and the livestream production of This American Wife. He is a member of the acclaimed theatre collective Fake Friends.
“It’s been very interesting working with the students on this challenging piece,” said Pelsue. “They are smart, talented, and have the work ethic to do it. They have really learned to advocate for their characters.”
Pelsue has worked with students a lot over the course of his career, but was especially touched by the kindness and camaraderie of Fairfield’s undergraduates. “I love seeing the community that they have around the show,” he said. “I’m relearning something about the fun of putting on a play. The world changes, but theatre-kid energy does not.”
“Rory’s work has been seen extensively in New York; having him lead our students represents a significant opportunity for the Theatre Program,” said Sean F. Edgecomb, PhD, director of the Fairfield University Theatre Program. “It also speaks to a larger vision for Fairfield University as we continue to establish ourselves as the beating heart of the arts corridor in southwestern Connecticut—connecting our students with leading professional artists while bringing the energy and expertise of New York City to campus and in collaboration with our own established theatre faculty.”
“Having the opportunity to act in Holiday was the highlight of my first semester,” said Diego Andrés Ramos Rivera, who played Henry. “Rory could not have been more perfect. From a joyous viewpoint, he developed the play in multiple aspects, successfully establishing meaning and depth in things that may seem as simple as opening doors and moving chairs.”
Moments of Discovery and Hilarity
The production team also included student assistant stage managers Wyatt Morris ’30 and Laura Morel Santiago ’30, sound board operator Abby Bell ’29, light board operator Meghan Teeter ’29, wardrobe crew Samantha Joyal-Pena ’30 and Madeline Leiser ’29, and run crew Caitlin Fenton ’27.
“It was my first time doing sound, and Holiday was a great show to learn with,” said Bell. “The show itself is hilarious, heartwarming, and very thought provoking, especially for a college-aged audience.”
“I am so immensely grateful to have been able to collaborate and perform with such a wonderful group,” said Ilagan, who played Nick Potter. “This experience has truly been filled with moments of both discovery and hilarity, not too dissimilar to the show itself.”
The Theatre Program’s season will continue this spring with Macbeth—this year’s student-run Independent Project—Feb. 4-6, and The One Acts of Thornton Wilder, April 1-4.
Tickets, full production credits, and more information can be found at theatre-fairfield.org.
