When rehearsals began for the University Theatre’s upcoming production of Diana Son’s “Stop Kiss,” director Jennifer Thomas decided to take an unconventional approach. When announcing the cast and handing out scripts, she left out an essential piece of information; none of the actors were assigned a part.
With instructions not to discuss the play with one another, the cast was given two weeks to study the script, which tells the story of two women, Sara and Callie, who become friends and unexpectedly fall in love before an attack leaves one of them in a coma. The off-Broadway hit, which opens April 20 at the Arena Theatre, is about the decision to love and its unexpected consequences. For Thomas, the challenging nature of the play, which unfolds in 23 non-linear scenes, called for a more collaborative effort.
“In a traditional rehearsal process, you get your script, you go through and highlight your lines, and once in a while you listen or read what the other characters are saying or doing, but primarily it becomes a focus on your character and not the entire script,” Thomas said. “This show to me is a real ensemble piece, and in that I feel like all the characters need to know each other.”
After studying the script, the actors reconvened and spent eight hours in meetings to flesh out their interpretations of the play. Shortly after, Thomas assigned the actors to roles. When rehearsals began, the process became more open.
“As an actor I felt very receptive listening to the other actors, rather than just listening to the director,” said James Engberg, who plays Sara’s ex-boyfriend, Peter. “It’s like they could give feedback that was just as legitimate.”
Understanding the entire script also helped the actors work within the play’s complex time structure. Throughout the play, events unfold in a non-linear plot line that seesaws back and forth between the aftermath of the attack and the events leading up to it.
“There’s a lot of jumping between different emotions,” said Jacquelin Peterman, who plays Callie. “It’s really hard to go from trying to be funny and light-hearted one minute and then completely breaking down and being an emotional wreck in the next scene.”
“The hardest part is to not play the comfort levels that we have in previous scenes when we’re jumping back in time,” said Marissa Neitling, who plays Sara.
While the non-linear plot line is challenging for the cast, audiences should find it refreshing to sit back and watch events come together. “You don’t have to think ahead of the script,” Thomas said
Though the play deals with a lesbian relationship and the aftermath of a hate-crime, Thomas warned that it is easy to develop preconceptions about the play.
“It’s a love story. It’s not a story about hate crimes. It’s not a story about lesbians,” Thomas said. “It’s a story about making the choice to love.”
“Stop Kiss” opens April 20 as part of the University Theatre’s Second Season. Performances will continue on April 2-23 and 28-30. All shows begin at 8 p.m. at the Arena Theatre in 104 Villard Hall. Tickets are $6 for the general public, $4 for University students and $5 for senior citizens, non-University students and University faculty and staff. Tickets are available at the EMU Ticket Office. On evenings of the performance, tickets can be purchased at the University Theatre Box Office in the Robinson Theatre.

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