What Theatre Is All About

After the unexpected pause in ARCC’s theatre department, due to the cancellation of Violet the Musical, it is now moving forward with a play called Everybody being directed by Blayn Lemke. This play is a variety of comedic timing, the morality of human beings, and dramatic tones are the overall themes in Everybody. Also, the actors will not know which part they will be performing until the beginning of the show. See what our students are capable of and explore the understanding of what Everybody means to you. Show times for Everybody are April 28th at 7:30pm, April 30th at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm, May 6th at 7:30pm, May 7th at 2:00pm and 7:30pm. Everybody was on Broadway in 2017 and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2018. With it being a fresh show off Broadway, it is amazing that ARCC gets to perform a play so new. This play's history goes back to the late 15th century and was originally called Everyman. But it was only newly rewritten by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins who is a Black playwright and having this play edited to current times gives a new fresh look at the subject of Everybody. Lemke says before the performers get to rehearsals, “When you see an actor doing so good, you live and breathe with them.” I was given the opportunity to chat with Lemke as well view a rehearsal of Everybody on campus. They start every rehearsal with a 1950 s gym style warmup to prepare themselves for being on stage. This gave me a new experience as someone who was from the outside looking at the process that performers go through. To get in the right creative headspace and develop those characters to come to life. From paper to the stage to lights come to life, there will always be something mesmerizing as an audience member. When speaking to the actors on the stage Lemke says, “We get to touch, look intentionally in the eyes.” Expressing the power that they weld as live performers. The connection to the views in the seats they have is so important. Any and every moment can change the outcome of the interpretation and reaction of those who are watching the show.
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Kodie Maki, Contributing Writer