Fairfield University's Theatre Fairfield season continues with Director's Cut December 2-5

Fairfield University's Theatre Fairfield season continues with Director's Cut December 2-5

Image: Theatre Fairfield Fairfield University's resident student production company, Theatre Fairfield (TF), continues its 2010-2011 season with "Director's Cut," a collection of seven student-directed, acted and designed ten-minute plays. "Director's Cut" will be performed at the PepsiCo Theatre Thursday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 4 at 8:00 p.m., with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Dec 5. Theatre Fairfield events are an Arts & Mind presentation.

Variety is the touchstone for this production with every production aspect dictated by a student. The plays embody theatrical styles ranging from satire to romantic comedy to farce to a Rashomon-like exploration of three characters in a highly charged environment. Student directors have been paired with student designers to collaborate on each piece and to make choices that best support the plays. And some directors do double duty as actors in other plays, creating an ensemble that has developed and seasoned over time.

"The whole process is incredibly exciting and directing is thrilling. We're all learning how to be tremendous collaborators," commented Amanda Xeller '11, a student director. "I am thrilled to be working in this professional environment with my classmates. The group is fantastic."

"Film Noir" by Bathsheba Doran is a fast-talking, tough-as-nails satire; Wanda Strukus' dark comedy "D.U.M.B.O." concerns a mafia member assigned to kill his close friend; "Let Me Count The Ways" by Jay D. Hanagan is a farce that focuses on two young lovers about to share their first kiss and what path they take to explore the dangers and desires of love in a neo-romantic language; "Coffee Break," by Jerry Thompson portrays a woman demanding long overdue respect from her aggressive boss; Donna Spector's intriguing romantic comedy depends on "Short-Term Affairs"; Christopher Wall illuminates a father-son relationship to bring out comedy in "Dumpster Dan"; and "Trio" by Mark Smith-Soto explores power dynamics in a prison camp triggered by a moment of hesitation on the part of a Nazi soldier. The action unfolds in a series of reflective monologues from the vantage points of the soldier, his captain and their prisoner.

Adjunct professor Yvonne Conybeare teaches and mentors directing students. She is the director of Fairfield University's award-winning "On The Spot Improv" and she is a resident director and board member at New York City's Metropolitan Playhouse.  Her recent production of "Dodsworth," a theatrical adaptation of Sinclair Lewis' novel by Sidney Howard, received high praise from New York media.

The directors include seniors Alexandra Burke ("Film Noir"), Michelle Maffeo ("Short-Term Affairs"), Claudia Toth ("D.U.M.B.O"), and Xeller ("Let Me Count The Ways"), as well as juniors Jarrod DePrado ("Trio"), Casey Grambo ("Dumpster Dan"), and Halimat Somotan ("Coffee Break"). Lighting Designers include seniors Elayne Cassara, Sarah Iannarone, Maffeo, and Toth; juniors Grambo and Bradley Fay, and sophomores Josh Matteo and Patrick Cooney.

In addition to some crossover director-actor combinations, the casts include performers from the recent Theatre Fairfield production, "Almost, Maine" and familiar faces from past TF productions. In addition, several fresh faces will make their debuts on the TF stage: Julia Haltof '13, Andrew Nealis '14, and Jack Giannini '13.

Tickets are $12 general admission, $6 for seniors and University staff, and $5 for students and are available at the door.

Posted On: 11-19-2010 10:11 AM

Volume: 43 Number: 125