By Laura Jean Null
Staff Writer

Nov. 17 – 20, Stage II is producing the play at the Fine Arts building, where students will be performing the original play “Anon(ymous)” by professional playwright Naomi Iizuka.

The play will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Prices are $10 for general admission, $7 for senior citizens and facility and $5 for students and children.

Director John Lauri had described the show as a modern day retelling of the Odyssey, that has a backdrop of the refugee crisis.

The play focuses around the main protagonist, Anon, as he travels through America, venturing to find his mother.

As the epic goes, Anon will come across multiple complications throughout his journey.

With a full student cast of 22 individuals including a Greek chorus and an estimate of 10 designers, there are other important jobs that are the essential puzzle pieces that create a masterful play.

These jobs include technical director, lighting designer, sound and music effects, costume designers, dramaturge (research department) etc.

Most students within this play have a Major in theater, however there are computer security majors and double majors or just students simply doing the play as part of a class.

The students hope to sell out, as they have dedicated 20-25 hours per week and have had to put together a total of 25 complex scenes that vary and range in different time increments in only a matter of four weeks for preparation.

Director Lauri and Stage Manager Becky Roeber had reported some students spending most of their day in the Fine Arts building working on the play, rehearsing and reciting lines.

Students practice during their free time and even pull all-nighters to perfect their performances.

However, more important than selling out is, “to have people feel something and be effected by it,” said John Lauri.

The goal is to have the audience see and feel the relationship between the mother and son and connect with it as most people have some form of relationship with a parent or guardian.

Later, Director Lauri stated, “theatre is so much more and can be so much more…”

These young actors are looking forward to performing their play coming up in the next week and hope to have a good turnout. Future events will be released before next semester.

Email Laura at:
lnull@live.esu.edu