Over the course of the fall and spring semesters, the Vonnie Borden hosts four theatrical productions courtesy of the university theatre department, but these shows do not materialize out of thin air. Much collaborative work, hours and sweat are required to bring entertainment to that little stage in D Vickers.

Preparation for upcoming seasons at the Vonnie Borden starts in the spring. The faculty selects plays to put on, with the directors for the next season having a major say. This role is usually filled by faculty, though there are also guest directors, alumni and sometimes current students brought in to do the job as well.

Plays are selected with budgets  and variety in mind. A single season should have both classics such as Euripides’ “The Bacchae” or Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” as well as contemporary works like Neil Labute’s “Fat Pig” or Neil Simon’s “Rumors.” 

“Each person directing in the coming season submits 4-6 plays they’d like to do,” said Jim Winter, associate professor of acting and directing. “Then we weigh in production costs, cast sizes and a number of educational factors. We strive for a good educational balance each season so some of the factors include trying to mix different styles of theatre, different eras of theatre and what plays will be good for our student designers to work on. During the past two years, we’ve allocated one of our season’s slots to the winner of our Inkslinger Playwriting Contest.”

Preparing for these shows is not a brief task. According to Chad Winters, instructor of acting and directing, the average length of rehearsal for a show at Southeastern is four to five weeks before opening night. According to Winter, actors practice their role for about 15 to 18 hours a week.

Participation in theatre productions is not limited to students studying the performing arts. Other students are also welcome to audition or volunteer. Alumni, members of the Hammond community and even professional actors also tend to be a part of these productions.

“Our plays are open to all students,” said Winters. “Each year we get a new flock of talent and people who have an interest in the theatre. Many of them are majoring in different subjects, but have a love for the theatre.”

The same applies to selections of those working behind the scenes.

“[Much of the crew] comes from classes where participation is mandatory,” said Steven Schepker, professor of theatre design and technical directing. “I teach a stage craft class that requires it. It’s a pass or fail thing. We also have a lot of volunteers, and sometimes actors who were not selected as part of the cast choose to be in the crew instead.”

The upcoming Vonnie Borden season will present its own challenges come the fall. Schepker noted that one of the plays to be produced, “High and Mighty,” will be a special challenge due to its technical demands as a musical, the first put on in the Vonnie Borden since the 1980s.

“‘High and Mighty’ is a November show which will require a large crew,” said Schepker. “We’ll need microphones on all the singers and sound in general will be a much bigger deal here. The show also features multiple setting changes. The production is incredibly slick.”

For more information on Southeastern theatre or the upcoming Vonnie Borden season, check out the theatre department’s page on the university website. For those interested in participating in Southeastern’s theatrical productions, contact a member of the theatre faculty or join the university’s national theatre honorary, Alpha Psi Omega.