Each semester students have a chance to take a role on stage and demonstrate their acting potential. Last week, The Vonnie Borden Theatre hosted a four night showing of “No Exit.”
The production showcased from Tuesday October 6 through Friday October 9. Students Angela Griffitt played Inez, Justin Davis played Garcin, Shelby Elliot-Layman played Estelle and Larry Heard played Valet.
“No Exit” is the story of three people, Joseph Garcin, Inez Serrano and Estelle Rigault who were sent to a Hell, in which they must cope with one another for eternity.
Although “No Exit” was originally written in 1945 by Jean-Paul Sartre, it was the play’s director, Professor Anne-Liese Fox, who changed the play to fit modern times. Fox decided to place the timeline in the 1970s.
“I found it really interesting that the director went with the idea of changing it to the 70s instead of doing it in the original time period, which was the late 40s,” said Victoria Parsons who was in charge of hair and makeup design. “That gave us a lot of inspiration to use interesting 70s hair and makeup designs that were really popular back then.”
In addition to doing research on the makeup and hair design of the 70s to better prepare for the play, Parsons researched other aspects of that time period.
“Not only do you have to look at makeup and hair from that time, but you look at architecture and buildings, you look at the culture and the life style of people,” said Parsons.
The stage setting and performance gave students a variety of reactions to the play.
“When I looked at them [the actors], I thought they were the character, not someone else,” said English graduate student Emily Klein. “I liked all the clues that went along all throughout [the play]. I liked the shapes they made with their body to suggest what was going on. They made good eye contact and looked at everyone. It was really nice with everything they did about all the structure of the play.”
Students filled the theatre for each showing, leaving with an experience that will never be forgotten.
“My favorite part of the play was everything,” said usher and house manager communication major Bruce Javery. “There was not one moment that was without tension or high energy. They really dove into the characters they were cast as. It made for an experience they will never forget.”
The actors also had their own experiences acting in the play.
“This was my first play,” said Layman. “I didn’t know what to expect nor did I know what was going to happen. It’s been a big learning experience.”
Layman enjoyed her part and really connected with her character.
“Estelle is kind of like my type of character that I like,” said Layman. “That woman who is pretty full of herself and has done some messed up things in the past but still wants to think she’s right all the time.”
While working together on the play the cast members built a friendship among one another.
“We have an amazing cast,” said general studies major with a concentration in theatre Angela Griffitt. “I’ve never felt such a strong connection with a cast before. It’s amazing how that connection is really visible to the audience. Not only the cast, but also our crew, stage manager, assistant stage managers and our director. They’re amazing.”