University of New Haven Theater Program Presents "Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play"
A comedic thriller, "Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play" explores the human response to catastrophe, as well as the role of storytelling and live performance in the forging of community, history, and survival. The curtain comes up April 24 to 27 at 7:30 p.m. in Bucknall Theater in Dodds Hall.
April 23, 2019
Four of the play杏吧原版檚 actors at a rehearsal. (Photo by Cole McManus 杏吧原版19) Poster by Zach Fontanez 杏吧原版17
Bobby DellaCamera 杏吧原版19 says preparing to play the roles of Gibson and Mr. Burns in the University杏吧原版檚 production of "Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play" has been challenging and rewarding.
"The play is extremely complex," said DellaCamera. "It pulls at every human emotion and heartstring. Each moment must be thought out, understood, and talked about. I think the biggest thing I have learned from this play would be the ability to connect as human beings."
Anne Washburn杏吧原版檚 "Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play" dares to ask what would happen if catastrophe struck and the electrical grid collapsed. It was named by New York Times theater critics as one of the 25 greatest plays of the past 25 years.
The curtain comes up in Bucknall Theater in Dodds Hall.
Ariana Lasher 杏吧原版20, who plays two different characters, agrees that performing in these roles is demanding, since the show spans more than 80 years and each act is unique, requiring something different from her as an actor.
"This play points out that the amenities and luxuries we have today can disappear at any moment, and it explores how people may find themselves struggling to hold on," said Lasher, a theater arts major. "Mr. Burns will hopefully encourage the audience think about our current society and what it could become."
"What I love most about this production is how adventurous it is. It's such a unique show that explores one-of-a-kind topics. It draws you in."Rebecca Satzberg 杏吧原版20
Meg Savilonis, associate professor and co-coordinator of the University杏吧原版檚 theater program and the play杏吧原版檚 director, says the show杏吧原版檚 theme is relevant. In her theater history course, she has been exploring how theater practitioners in the 21st century must contend with a variety of digital forms of entertainment, and she says that live performance is a crucial component of Mr. Burns.
Colby Adams 杏吧原版22 (Photo by Cole McManus 杏吧原版19)
"Community is forged in the theater through the collaboration of artists, as well as the relationship between performers and spectators," she said. "That idea is especially important to me in a world that is increasingly dominated by interfacing with screens, avatars, and virtual realities."
In Mr. Burns, even the sound effects are live, performed by Rebecca Satzberg 杏吧原版20. The show杏吧原版檚 Foley artist, she recreates sound effects with everyday objects.
"What I love most about this production is how adventurous it is," said Satzberg, a music and sound recording major with minors in economics and theater arts. "It's such a unique show that explores one-of-a-kind topics. It draws you in."
Satzberg and Savilonis work closely with Matt Hodulik 杏吧原版19, the play杏吧原版檚 sound designer, to ensure that the sound in the script best suits the show, a challenge that encourages collaboration, innovation, and exploration.
"We use live Foley because the show is set after an apocalypse, which means the power grid has been shut down," said Hodulik, a music and sound recording major. "The challenge has been to figure out what sounds should be created by the Foley artist and what sounds I need to find or create myself."