Senior conservatories open Nov. 29

By Carmen Richter

It’s time once again for seniors with theater majors to strut their stuff—time for the senior conservatories.

Senior conservatories are like theses for theater students. Each student in the conservatory class selects a one-act play and is responsible for directing and producing it. In addition, each of the students takes responsibility for an additional aspect of the showcase, such as lighting or advertising. They are graded on every step of the process. At the end of the semester, all of the shows are presented in a showcase, which is open to the public.

Michael A. Read, a conservatory student, says about the process, “Conservatory is a chance for students to collaborate and express their artistic visions while showcasing the education we have received over the last four years.”

The conservatory class has chosen the title Nine Degrees of Separation for the conservatory showcase.

“The reason we, as a class, chose the title Nine Degrees of Separation is to illustrate how life can be related even if the situations are different,” Stephanie Levoy said.

The plays depict a variety of life situations: lovers’ quarrels, the impending death of a parent, people letting their lives pass them by. In all of these circumstances, however, is a common element of self-discovery. Due to the large number of conservatory shows this year, the showcase will be split into two separate nights, and each set of plays will be performed twice.

On Nov. 29 and Dec. 1, the shows performed will be: Made for a Woman directed by Whitney Warren, The Politics of Sleep directed by Stephanie Levoy, The Love Clinic directed by Riki Schmigel, The Bridal Night directed by Michael A. Read, and Bedlam Moon directed by Mariko Matsuyoshi.

On Nov. 30 and Dec. 2, the shows will be: The Next Contestant directed by Meredith Brace-Sloss, How to Be a Good Son directed by Kristen Egbers, Waiting for Ringo directed by Matt Hodges, and Threnody directed by Savannah Thelan. David-Matthew Barnes, the playwright of Threnody, will be traveling down to St. Augustine from Atlanta with his family on to attend the performance of his play.

The showcases will begin at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 at the door.