On Saturday night, I attended my first play at the University. I always knew the white stone building adjacent to McKenzie Hall was the University’s theater building. With its bright banners loudly depicting upcoming plays, it can be hard to miss. But Saturday night I received a glimpse of the talent hidden inside its vast stone walls.
After watching the play called “Playhouse Creatures,” I concurred that the University Theatre is underrated and unknown to many University students. @@http://pages.uoregon.edu/theatre/archives/684@@The music was stimulating, and the lighting was precisely executed on cue throughout the entire show. Of course, those are just small features, but they immensely contributed to the play’s outcome. The cast and the plot are the things that intrigued me the most.
I remember during elementary school, I dabbled in a few productions at school and the community theater. In first grade, I played the crucial role of a snake in some play we recited for our parents. I wore a sock on my hand and hissed, “Yess, pleassse do” when I was supposed to. Oddly, Steven Spielberg never approached me after that roll.
My acting career never made it out of middle school, but throughout the play this weekend, it was evident that the actors and actresses had much more knowledge of the stage.
The play, set in the 1600s, depicts the struggle for women to form a professional identity. It is invigorating to see the University Theatre take on an ever-evolving and controversial topic.
Throughout past centuries, women have had a difficult time using their talents to fit in a realm created for men. The topic is still relevant to this day; although our society has made incredible advancements in women’s rights. Some of the subjects aren’t always easy to talk about, and I am sure even more difficult to act out.
I was more than impressed with the cast of “Playhouse Creatures.” Aside from none of them forgetting their lines (a frequent mistake in my previous productions), the cast of students believably molded to the role of their characters, who were once real people. Jesselyn Parks played Nell Gywn, a bawdy, witty barmaid who works her way up the acting ladder. Virginia Rice played Mrs. Betterson, an older, posed actress who strived for perfection and had an absolute love for the theater. And Katelyn Elias mastered Mrs. Farley, a religious zealot transformed into a harlot. Her love for attention, men and herself was prevalent whenever she took the stage. @@Jesselyn Parks http://directory.uoregon.edu/telecom/directory.jsp?p=findpeople%2Ffind_results&m=student&d=person&b=name&s=Jesselyn+Parks@@ @@Virginia Rice http://directory.uoregon.edu/telecom/directory.jsp?p=findpeople%2Ffind_results&m=student&d=person&b=name&s=Rice@@ @@Katelyn Elias http://directory.uoregon.edu/telecom/directory.jsp?p=findpeople%2Ffind_results&m=student&d=person&b=name&s=Elias@@
But those ladies are only part of the well-oiled acting machine. Every player’s role was convincing and gesticulate. While one character was speaking, the others would thrive on their lines and continue to act even if the spotlight was off them for the moment.
I may not know too much about the specifics of acting, but I do know a good play when I see one.
After the play commenced, I asked myself why, as I wrapped up my sophomore year, I had never taken the initiative to go to a performance at the University Theatre. After “Playhouse Creatures,” I can only imagine the kinds of performances the University has birthed. As students, it is our duty to appreciate the work of our peers.
Sadly, this is easier said than done. Our lives revolve around our individual progression, and our schedules only permit certain times for leisure, but the theater department has a lot more to offer. More students should take advantage of University Theatre, whether through trying out for a play or viewing. After my experience at the theater, I know I will be back to watch the talent shine once again.
After watching the play called “Playhouse Creatures,” I concurred that the University Theatre is underrated and unknown to many University students. @@http://pages.uoregon.edu/theatre/archives/684@@The music was stimulating, and the lighting was precisely executed on cue throughout the entire show. Of course, those are just small features, but they immensely contributed to the play’s outcome. The cast and the plot are the things that intrigued me the most.
I remember during elementary school, I dabbled in a few productions at school and the community theater. In first grade, I played the crucial role of a snake in some play we recited for our parents. I wore a sock on my hand and hissed, “Yess, pleassse do” when I was supposed to. Oddly, Steven Spielberg never approached me after that roll.
My acting career never made it out of middle school, but throughout the play this weekend, it was evident that the actors and actresses had much more knowledge of the stage.
The play, set in the 1600s, depicts the struggle for women to form a professional identity. It is invigorating to see the University Theatre take on an ever-evolving and controversial topic.
Throughout past centuries, women have had a difficult time using their talents to fit in a realm created for men. The topic is still relevant to this day; although our society has made incredible advancements in women’s rights. Some of the subjects aren’t always easy to talk about, and I am sure even more difficult to act out.
I was more than impressed with the cast of “Playhouse Creatures.” Aside from none of them forgetting their lines (a frequent mistake in my previous productions), the cast of students believably molded to the role of their characters, who were once real people. Jesselyn Parks played Nell Gywn, a bawdy, witty barmaid who works her way up the acting ladder. Virginia Rice played Mrs. Betterson, an older, posed actress who strived for perfection and had an absolute love for the theater. And Katelyn Elias mastered Mrs. Farley, a religious zealot transformed into a harlot. Her love for attention, men and herself was prevalent whenever she took the stage. @@Jesselyn Parks http://directory.uoregon.edu/telecom/directory.jsp?p=findpeople%2Ffind_results&m=student&d=person&b=name&s=Jesselyn+Parks@@ @@Virginia Rice http://directory.uoregon.edu/telecom/directory.jsp?p=findpeople%2Ffind_results&m=student&d=person&b=name&s=Rice@@ @@Katelyn Elias http://directory.uoregon.edu/telecom/directory.jsp?p=findpeople%2Ffind_results&m=student&d=person&b=name&s=Elias@@
But those ladies are only part of the well-oiled acting machine. Every player’s role was convincing and gesticulate. While one character was speaking, the others would thrive on their lines and continue to act even if the spotlight was off them for the moment.
I may not know too much about the specifics of acting, but I do know a good play when I see one.
After the play commenced, I asked myself why, as I wrapped up my sophomore year, I had never taken the initiative to go to a performance at the University Theatre. After “Playhouse Creatures,” I can only imagine the kinds of performances the University has birthed. As students, it is our duty to appreciate the work of our peers.
Sadly, this is easier said than done. Our lives revolve around our individual progression, and our schedules only permit certain times for leisure, but the theater department has a lot more to offer. More students should take advantage of University Theatre, whether through trying out for a play or viewing. After my experience at the theater, I know I will be back to watch the talent shine once again.
