By Emily Duncan, Staff Writer
TheatreOCU students will display their talents in the upcoming Stage II Production of “Tallgrass Gothic.”
The show is at 8 p.m. March 3-5 and at 2 p.m. March 6 in The Black Box theater in Wanda L. Bass Music Center.
The story follows Laura, a character who falls in love with a man and cheats on her husband, Student Director Sasha Kostyrko said. As the play develops Laura longs to leave her abusive husband but gets trapped in a web of tragedy.
“I was really inspired by the story and the idea that someone with the best intentions can fall,” she said. “I liked the setting and the interactions of the characters.
“All of them are understandable and relatable. This is what gave me faith in the idea of directing it.”
One reason the play resonated so well with Kostyrko is because she comes from a strong dance background.
“I like this play because there are a lot of dance qualities in it and the words are very poetic,” she said. “It has a very lyrical fashion in the way the words are spoken that lends itself well to movement and dance.”
Another unique quality about the play is the minimalism it requires, Kostyrko said.
“There isn’t a lot set, but it doesn’t need a lot because I think the story sells itself,” she said. “The idea of openness and claustrophobia is something cool that The Black Box offers.”
Dr. David Herendeen, interim director of opera/music theater, had a similar opinion about what The Black Box theater offers students.
“Stage II productions put performers in the situation that’s about the play, the text, the performers, and the space,” he said. “I love these spotlight productions because I think our students really rise to the occasion of that exposure that this minimal technical support production gives them.”
Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for adults and can be purchased at the door.
For more information call the OCU ticket office at 208-5227.
This article initially appeared in the March 2 issue of The Campus newspaper.
Leave a Reply