Μύ
November 10, 2015
Story and photo by Joe Vinduska
Each year, as part of the Theatre Program at ΜμΡΔΙηΗψΉΩΝψ, students are asked to take the reins and produce a show entirely by themselves.Μύ This year, theatre Majors Caleb Rivera and Randyll Smith are co-directing βSaid and Meant: Ten Short Plays about Language and Misunderstanding,β by Randy Wyatt with showings at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 and 20 in the ΜμΡΔΙηΗψΉΩΝψ Fine Arts Auditorium.
The show consists of 10 short plays delivered skit-style focused on how the use of language can affect the intended meaning very drastically.
Cast member Kolton Landreth said this show has something for everyone.
βItβs very funny and there is a wide variety of styles of humor that are used that anyone can find funny,β he said. βEach skit is very different. Some are old-fashioned comedy, some of them are more modern and some of it is kind of dark humor.β
Co-Director Caleb Rivera said he chose the play for its humor and versatility.
βItβs very interesting and funny, and itβs got kind of a parody tone to it,β he said.Μύ βAlso, it allowed me to cast a wide range of members.Μύ I could cast as many as I wanted, or if I didnβt have the people, I could have a small cast.βΜύ
Co-Director Randyll Smith said her role has opened her eyes to what it takes to direct a show.
βIβve always kind of wanted to be βbehind the table,ββ she said.Μύ βItβs actually helped a lot to make me realize how much work goes into it, like getting all the props and knowing what kind of costumes we want and knowing exactly how we want a certain line to sound to the audience. Itβs definitely been a game-changer.β
Rivera said directing with people in his class has created a unique dynamic.
βThe hardest part is working with your peers,β he said. βItβs the easiest part and itβs the hardest part. Itβs the easiest part because itβs fun but itβs the hardest part because itβs fun.Μύ Sometimes itβs hard to figure out when fun stops and work starts.βΜύΜύ
Smith said she has enjoyed her ΜμΡΔΙηΗψΉΩΝψ Theatre experience and this production has been a memorable piece of it.
βItβs a really great program,β Smith said. βWeβve come a long way, itβs grown a lot and weβre just a big family over here.Μύ We bring out the best in each other, we build each other up and we have fun here.β
Rivera, who wants to teach theater at a university said the play production class has helped him cement his plans for the future.
βBeing a co-director has definitely fortified it in my mind,β he said.
Tickets are $5.Μύ All students are admitted free with an ID. Refreshments will be served at intermission.Μύ The show is for mature audiences only. For ticket information call the ΜμΡΔΙηΗψΉΩΝψ Box Office at (620) 786-1150.