Mason Arts at Home

School of Theater’s 'The Originals!' introduces student works to the campus community

Colleen Rich — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 20:39:11 +0000

School of Theater’s 'The Originals!' introduces student works to the campus community Colleen Rich Mon, 10/17/2022 - 16:39

"The Originals!" six plays were performed at Theatrespace in September and recorded for watching online on Mason Arts at Home. Photo by Shayla Brown/Strategic Communications

The Originals! is an annual production within George Mason University’s School of Theater that showcases the writing, acting, and directing skills of the creative students of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. This year six amazing plays were put on in de Laski Performing Arts Building TheaterSpace. Read all about them here:

“Merry, Bright, etc.”

Written by Zoe Harr and directed by Erin Birchfield

In this play excerpt, a young man named Ben struggles to connect with a girl he likes, who works as an elf in same mall that he does. She is only known as “The Hot Elf” and has no idea that Ben exists.

“Ben is my definition of a loser,” said Harr, who wanted to explore the concept of an unlikeable protagonists. “Someone who, as an audience member, you’re kind of stuck with. Someone who you root for him in the play, but wouldn’t be friends with in real life.”

Ben lives with his friend, Lisa, who acts as a driving force that helps him step outside himself. Throughout this scene, Ben is trying to break out of this mold of being this guy who can’t even talk to a girl he likes, but constantly puts his foot in his mouth.

“I don’t think he necessarily succeeds in the sense that he gets exactly what he wants,” said Harr, “but he succeeds in the sense that he is actually able to make a connection.”

Will he get the hot elf’s name? And do you need to achieve a goal completely in order to win?

“The Great American Class Interactive Experience (GACIE)”

Written by Sarah Strunk and directed by Caroline Austin

The concept of GACIE came to Strunk as she scrolled through Tik Tok, she said. There were interesting nuances within the relationship of a couple who came from completely different backgrounds. Young couple, Christian and Gwen, participate in an interactive experience. The game is filled with tension as the couple step into new territory and are exposed to their different upbringings, as well as comic relief in the form of Nella Hautala’s performance as the Elevator/ticket seller/game master.

“Seven Years’ Time”

Written by Dyllan Hutchison and directed by Jeremy Pritchard

“Seven Years’ Time” is a story about a girl named Lucy who turns 20 and finds a letter from seven years ago. She calls her own phone number, and when her 13-year-old self answers, the conversation that follows is inspiring. Hutchinson’s take on society’s fear of growing older as well as self-love and confidence takes place in this sentimental yet entertaining phone call between 13-year-old Lucy and 20-year-old Lucy.

“It was a lot self-reflection and trying to figure out who I used to be, who I am, and who I want to be in this new stage of my life,” said Hutchinson. “It was a really special experience for me.”

The characters are also surrounded by different versions of Lucy’s mom and dad, also seven years apart. Reflection on the past is something that connects the audience to the performance.

“Robin’s Therapy”

Written by Brett Womack, directed by Annie Graninger and musical direction by Brett Womack

The only musical in the bunch, “Robin’s Therapy” tells the story of Robin’s journey going to see Dr. Prue Warwick every day. With Womack on the piano as the story unfolds, Robin and her therapist take us for a ride.

The musical element helps these characters to convey their thoughts and feelings toward the concept of therapy and whether it’s really effective. This conversation in song touches on so many questions about mental health and who to reach out to for help.

“This character is doing their best to committing to their resolution to improve their mental health even though they don’t necessarily know why they should and what they should do to get there,” said Womack.

The fear and hesitation a lot of individuals feel toward the idea of therapy is represented in a lyrical way that captures the audience and makes them think even after the story has ended.

“I Shouldn’t Have Stuffed My Muffin with Jelly”

Written by Trevor Handlin and directed by Jo Arnett

There was a lot going on with this piece. It was unclear which way to look as characters interacted with one another. Some were strangers, and some were enemies. This play included shocking instances of murder and seemed to take place in an unknown apocalyptic setting.

It was funny, creepy, and bemusing. It had the most characters of any of the plays from “The Originals!” and everyone did their part. With the prize for most interesting name, “I Shouldn’t Have Stuffed My Muffin with Jelly” is one to see.

“Full Disclosure”

Written by Lillian Della Maggiora and directed by Shannon Rodgers

This story is about two women in a relationship that’s hit a rough patch. In the beginning, they are silent for much of the piece, portraying thoughts and emotions with their facial expressions in a way that was entertaining enough even without the dialogue the audience was likely expecting.

They walk around what is assumed to be a gallery of some kind, observing the art on the walls. When the conversation finally starts, it’s intriguing how genuine and beautiful it is. These women have an open and honest conversation. What’s more fascinating is that the story is not tied up with a neat little bow in the end. The ending is somewhat unexpected and unresolved.

If you missed these live performances, no worries! The School of Theater has released a video recording of all six plays. Check it out on Mason Arts at Home.

Topics

Students

College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Theater

student artists

Mason Arts at Home

Bravo! Mason students take center stage in digital workshop production

Colleen Rich — Thu, 27 May 2021 21:21:52 +0000

Bravo! Mason students take center stage in digital workshop production Colleen Rich Thu, 05/27/2021 - 17:21

In This Story

Rick Davis

Edward Gero

The cast and crew of the School of Theater's production "Luther's Trumpet" rehearses in the Center for the Arts Concert Hall. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

The Reformation-era play “Luther’s Trumpet” poses provocative questions about faith justice, priestly celibacy and standing up against authoritarianism.

For Mason rising junior Steven Franco, who has the role of Philip, friend of Martin Luther, it is just as relevant for today’s time period.

“The script,” the theater major said, “is an example of how people fought for what they believed in.”

Franco is one of two Mason students in the production, which will be presented May 28 through June 4 as a prerecorded digital performance. Rising senior Hasan Crawford, also a theater major, plays Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor.

Theater major Steven Franco has the role of Philip, friend of Martin Luther, in the production. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

“As I would expect, our students came to work well prepared and with lots of creative energy,” said Rick Davis, dean of Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts and the play’s director. “They meshed well with the professional cast members and adapted to the hybrid environment of our workshop, which was rehearsed and shot like a television show or film much more than a traditional play. And they delivered their roles with precision.”

“Luther’s Trumpet” takes place in the early 1500s, when Martin Luther went toe-to-toe with the dominant powers of the Western world—the Catholic church and the Holy Roman Empire. Luther’s public objections to what he believed was a Christianity driven by greed and materialism brought him into grave personal danger, even as he shook the foundations of European civilization.

Mason students joined community and faculty actors in the production, which was recorded at the Center for the Arts. The Moving Story Window Wall projection technology, developed by Mason Heritage Professor of Dance Christopher D’Amboise, blended scenic effects with other actors who appeared remotely.

Some actors appeared remotely using the Moving Story Window Wall technology developed at Mason. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

"I hope the audience enjoys the hybrid workshop environment as much as we did, blending in-person actors, Zoom-world actors, and digital scenery,” Davis said. “Audience response will be key to the next steps for the project, and we invite folks to be in touch with their reactions and questions.”

“Luther’s Trumpet” also stars Mason associate professor of theater and well-known Washington, D.C., actor Edward Gero as Martin Luther, and Craig Wallace as Pope Leo X. Other appearances include Kevin Murray (interim director of the School of Theater) as indulgence seller Friar Tetzel. David Tatel (a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals) appears as the Devil, a role he played in the 2018 premiere production at the Stone Hill amphitheater.

Hasan Crawford. Provided photo

Acclaimed historian James Reston Jr. adapted his 2016 book “Luther’s Fortress” into this new dramatic work for the stage.

“I will say that author Jim Reston saves the best for (almost) last, in a deliciously intellectual and emotional scene between Luther and the Devil, in which, as is traditional in great literature, the Devil gets most of the good lines,” said Davis.

“Luther’s Trumpet” can be seen through Mason Arts at Home from May 28 through June 4. The performance is free, but registration is required.

Topics

Students

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

Mason Arts at Home

Connecting Students with Today’s Top Artists Despite the Pandemic

Pam Muirheid — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 18:25:08 +0000

Connecting Students with Today’s Top Artists Despite the Pandemic Pam Muirheid Mon, 03/29/2021 - 14:25

Learn More About the Window Wall Technology

For more than a year, the pandemic has impacted many aspects of the day-to-day at the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA). One thing that hasn’t changed is our faculty and staff’s commitment to providing outstanding educational experiences. This moment has enhanced our resilience and creativity in order to satisfy the needs of the student community. The most recent examples took place in March 2021, during which four masterclasses were held over the span of a single week. These ranged from virtual classes via Zoom webinar, to a hybrid session (half in-person, half virtual) utilizing the Moving Story Window Wall technology.

An important element of the College’s instructional offerings is our intrinsic link with the Center for the Arts at George Mason University and the Hylton Performing Arts Center, which enables Mason students to learn directly from today’s top artists. When performers and touring ensembles appear in the professional season of music, dance, and theater offerings, CVPA ensures that masterclasses or similar educational opportunities are part of what they bring to the table. This learning exchange is in line with the College’s longstanding mission to “educate the artists of tomorrow.” In spite of the current restrictions, CVPA and its two performing arts centers have continued to provide these exceptional experiences to Mason students.

Lawrence Brownlee giving a Zoom masterclass to students from the Dewberry School of Music.

Beginning on March 2, Lawrence Brownlee—who is recognized as one of America’s foremost modern opera singers—led a Zoom masterclass for a group of Vocal Studies and Opera majors from the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music. The class was held the day after he participated in The Artist-Activist: Centering Black Voices series as part of Mason Arts at Home.

Of her experience, Rosie Wright (Vocal Performance ‘22) commented, “Singing for Mr. Brownlee was an infinitely valuable experience for me. He was an absolute joy to work with. I had the privilege of singing a Rossini aria for him and, since that’s one of his specialties, I was very nervous. I had so much fun learning from him and it was so inspiring to get a coaching from him on the piece. This masterclass was one of the highlights of my college career.”

The following day, School of Theater students were welcomed to participate in a masterclass with Broadway singer and actress Laura Osnes—who appeared in Broadway Princess Party on March 21. For this session, students gathered in person (physically distanced) on the Center for the Arts’ stage while Osnes was projected live onto the Moving Story Window Wall. Sophia Inserra (Theater ‘21) explained, “the innovativeness of the set up and how we connected with Ms. Osnes was excitingly effective and, of course, getting the opportunity to meet and work with her virtually was amazing. This experience made my entire year; I am so grateful.”

Left: School of Theater students participate in a masterclass with Broadway singer and actress Laura Osnes. Photo: Even Cantwell. Right: Clarinetist Thomas Lessels from Academy of St. Martin in the Fields giving a Zoom masterclass to students from the Dewberry School of Music.

Similarly, on March 8, instrumentalists from the Dewberry School of Music had the opportunity to study with clarinetist Thomas Lessels and cellist Will Schofield of the world-class Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. These two, separate masterclasses were held via Zoom webinar and they preceded the ensemble’s Mason Arts at Home virtual performance on March 13. Teresa Jenkins (Clarinet Performance ’22) summarized her involvement as follows, “the masterclass was fantastic and enlightening. I really enjoyed the musical ideas that Mr. Lessels recommended and shared with me regarding my playing. The Zoom masterclass experience is one full of silver linings, and I am so appreciative to have been chosen to participate!”

Students from the Dewberry School of Music participate in a masterclass with clarinetist Thomas Lessels (top left) from Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.

These testimonials both confirm and reinforce the importance of making masterclasses, workshops, lectures, and artist conversations available to our student community.

In addition to the abovementioned masterclasses, the School of Art’s Visual Voices lecture series continues to feature nationally-recognized visiting artists and designers each month in an online format. Recent guests included Wendy Red Star, Rozeal, and Mia Rollow. Film and Video Studies’ Visiting Filmmaker Series is also thriving in the digital space, highlighting films and artists who are committed to innovation, social justice, and diverse and inclusive filmmaking. Most recently, the series featured film director Stefon Bristol and TV writer Hank Jones.

CVPA is proud to offer these opportunities to students, and we look forward to increasing their reach throughout the academic year. Support our educational initiatives beyond the classroom.

Topics

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music

School of Art

Mason Arts at Home

College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Theater