Curtain closes with senior conservatories

Theatre arts seniors direct final performances at Flagler College Auditorium

By Amanda Hughlett | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Ten theatre majors are going to give their final bow on the Flagler stage December 5-8, figuratively speaking.

Brad Backman, Rachael Davis, Emiy Gerbino, Beckie Hawkins, Audrey Holeman, Paul Holzmeyer, Amanda Hughlett, Kevin McNeal, Ericka McThenia and Zephian Michaels are directing this semester’s senior conservatories known as “In Relation To…”

The shows are mostly absurd and deal with human relationships and interactions, as well as showcase famous playwrights such as David Ives, Samuel Beckett, Edward Albee, and Landford Wilson.

“The shows this semester are a lot of fun. They’re all different, but have a unifying element. I’m looking forward to seeing them all,” said junior Nicole Greenberg, actress in Hawkins’ “The History Lesson” and stage manager for Backman’s “Après Opera.”

Other shows on the menu include “The Room Full of Annie,” “The Problem,” “The Madness of Lady Bright,” “The Grand Design,” “The Zoo Story,” “Krapp’s Last Tape,” “Dr. Fritz” or “The Forces of Light,” and “Raining Minestrone.”

These plays range from Ives’ play on words to enlighten a poor soul, to Beckett’s tale of a lonely man, to a beautiful and uplifting story about humanity, to the unconventional habits of an upper crust couple.

“I’ve really enjoyed working alongside my classmates on our final project. We’ve worked up to this moment since freshman year and I’m excited to see the finished product of my show and my friends’ shows,” said Hughlett, director of “The Zoo Story.”

The conservatory shows are the final step for theatre majors before the real world. They encompass everything a theatre-savvy person should know into one entity by picking and analyzing a play, choosing a cast and directing them, and designing a set and light plot.

“I’ve gone to a few conservatory shows before and they’re pretty good. I enjoy the theatre and it’s always interesting to see what they’ll come up with next. I like to see to see what interests people in the shows they pick to direct and act in,” senior Karen Sloan said.

The shows run from Dec. 5 to Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Flagler College Auditorium.

Each show will be performed twice on alternating nights, so some shows will run on Wednesday and Friday while other shows will run on Thursday and Saturday. Tickets will be sold for both nights as a package deal for Wednesday and Thursday or Friday and Saturday.

Tickets are $5 for both nights and will be sold at the box office before the shows start. Save the ticket stub from the first night as the ticket admission for the second night of shows.