Every year at Washington College, seniors complete a Senior Capstone Experience, the culmination of all their years of education so far. For theatre majors, this means the opportunity to write, direct, or act in the play of their choice in a fully mounted production. This semester, five seniors chose the director’s path, meaning they will take charge of an entire production from casting calls to closing night.
Expect variety, from a school science fair to an unsolved murder, to questions of love and fidelity, what it means to grow up, or what legacies each of us will leave behind in life. Dale Daigle, chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, says this semester “promises to be provocative.”
The Spring SCE shows are as follows; the first one is right around the corner, March 4 and 5. All are free and open to the public and begin at 7:30 p.m.
The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds
by Paul Zindel
A Senior Directing Thesis from Nicole Capobianco
March 4 & 5
The old, converted vegetable shop where Tillie lives is more like a madhouse than a home. Tillie’s mother Beatrice is bitter and cruel, yet desperate for her daughters’ love. Her sister Ruth suffers epileptic fits and sneaks cigarettes every chance she gets. In the midst of chaos, Tillie struggles to keep her focus and dreams alive. Tillie—keeper of rabbits, dreamer of atoms, true believer in life, hope, and the effect of gamma rays on man-in-the-moon marigolds.
This is Our Youth
by Kenneth Lonergan
A Senior Directing Thesis from Dominic LaGrotta
March 25 & 26
In Reagan-era Manhattan, three teenagers on the brink of adulthood—Dennis, Warren, and Jessica—collide in a 48-hour period that changes all of their lives. In one apartment, the three young adults circle each other and adulthood, trying to find themselves as adults in their turbulent, materialistic world.
Cock
by Mike Bartlett
A Senior Directing Thesis from Kendall Davis
April 1 & 2
John has been in a stable relationship with his boyfriend for a number of years. But when they take a break, he accidentally falls in love with a woman. Torn between the two, he doesn’t know which to choose: both are prepared to fight. Cock explores what it means to love someone, and the journey we take to find ourselves in life.
The Aliens
by Annie Baker
A Senior Directing Thesis from Nick Coviello
April 8 & 9
In the heat of July two men are stewing behind a Vermont coffee shop, talking about everything and nothing. When Evan, a new employee of the coffee shop, walks into the men’s hangout, an unlikely friendship is formed between the three guys. In those hot days of summer music and poetry are discussed, explored, and performed. The Aliens is a story about friendship, legacy, and hope for the future.
Angel Street
by Patrick Hamilton
A Senior Directing Thesis from Ashley Warfield
April 22 & 23
From the outside of their Angel Street residence, Jack and Bella Manningham live a seemingly peaceful life in 19th-century London. Behind closed doors this tranquil home is in an uproar as Bella is slowly losing her mind, and Jack is ready to commit her to an institution. But when an old detective shows up at the Manningham’s residence one night, Bella finds herself thrust into a 15-year-old murder case that she may be the key to solving. This classic Victorian thriller dives deep into the world of murder, madness, and the search for courage in the darkest of places.
For more information on the Department of Theatre and Dance or how to become an honorary producer for one of these SCE plays, visit https://www.washcoll.edu/departments/theatre-and-dance/. To reserve tickets for a show visit https://ow.ly/Y0itG. Reservations open two weeks before opening night. Audience members are encouraged to arrive early to ensure seating.
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