Franziska Harms and Zoe Settle, acting juniors, are co-directing an off-campus production as part of a weekend of sexual assault awareness.
The show, Really Really by Paul Downs Colaizzo, deals with the subject of rape at a college party, how it affects the individuals involved and the reactions of other people on campus.
“This show is extremely relevant to college students, especially in our generation,” Settle said. “Hearing about rape is different from when it happens to you or your friend. Really Really asks what rape really is. This show is important to do now and here.”
Though the cast is composed of OCU students, the production is not affiliated with OCU. Harms and Settle purchased performance rights for the show, splitting the $100 fee between themselves.
The directors said they have had trouble finding spaces and means to produce the show, so they decided to work outside of the university. Their production will take place in an actual college house, the setting of the show.
The students submitted Really Really for the School of Theater season, but the show was never selected.
“We were tired of being told ‘no’ on a campus that constantly encourages making art on your own time,” Harms said. “We’re artists, and we should be able to do art. So we will.”
The students decided to split the blocking rehearsals between male and female characters because Colaizzo mostly keeps the two groups divided throughout the show. Settle will block the female scenes, while Harms will block the male ones.
“The last scene will be a collaborative effort because it is the main problem people have with the show,” Settle said. “It’s an in-your-face, live-action rape that some people interpret does not serve the story. It’s important that we communicate what’s happening, but it doesn’t need to be full-frontal.”
The pair of directors had auditions at the beginning of the semester, clearly stating the show’s physical and emotional demands. The students involved consist of two directors, an assistant director, two stage managers, 10 actors, and one swing, with three roles double cast.
The production will be open to the public, starting at 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 2309 N. Blackwelder Ave.
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