The next School of Theatre show will be about digital connections.
“Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom,” is directed by Courtney DiBello, associate professor of stage management. The play centers around a group of teenagers playing a video game taking place in their own neighborhood. As they become more engrossed in this virtual world, it begins to creep into their actual reality.
“The play is really about a lack of connection in a real way,” said DiBello, “If you only interact through screens, then how long before you can’t tell the difference between the real world and virtual?”
DiBello said she is consistently asking herself what constitutes believability because, in virtual environments, you can be anyone you want. She said we curate our online presence based on what we want our audience to see because perception is reality.
“If you’re the scared kid, you can be the brave kid. You get to choose who you are. If a friendship is created only online, then the relationship is based on un-truths. Why would anyone choose to be themself?” DiBello said.
DiBello said there are many things to keep in mind when undertaking the directing of a production, especially now when there are so many additional protocols to follow in order to continue working through the pandemic.
She said in a time when the audience seems so physically disconnected from the work itself, the emphasis is put especially on the experience of the creative team. Her priority is in giving the actors and crew the chance to put their process into practice, DiBello said.
“This is like the emergency room in the hospital. I have to help the sickest patients first. I’m sorry, audience, but you don’t need this as much as my actors or designers do,” DiBello said. “The audience is not something I can actually pull into the experience right now, so I really would like to use this text to give the students the opportunity to support the pedagogy, put into practice all they’ve been learning.”
Jackson West, acting junior playing is one of the actors in “Neighborhood 3.” Steve is the father figure created by the game in the show.
West said the sense of community has had a very different feeling because of COVID-19 protocols. Actors leave after their final scene ends, and there are no curtain calls, preshow rituals or post-show celebrations, he said.
“It’s been strange to lose that celebratory aspect of being backstage together,” West said.
In embodying a character created by a device, West said his physical work has become especially important to the process.
“It’s funny because you’re trying to be as realistic as you can while also being a video game character. It’s like being a real-life avatar,” West said.
West said going into rehearsals with the knowledge there will be no audience has altered the experience for not just the director but also the performers.
“The way that the show was directed makes it feel a bit like a set of monologues in the sense that rather than constantly facing our partners, we often face out, knowing that the cameras are going to be what capture us, not the audience,” West said.
West said audiences are getting a taste of what the characters in the play experience by simply living during a pandemic.
“We are living virtual realities today. Even doing Zoom classes is tricky. I know I don’t feel present,” West said, “The most important part of being in-person with someone is getting to feel their vocal energy. When there are vibrations that go from me to you in that actual moment, it’s a completely different feeling.”
West said streaming the show creates another layer which comments on how technology is intertwined with our everyday lives.
“You are essentially watching a video game happen on stage through your own screen,” he said.
“Neighborhood 3” streams at 8 p.m. Oct. 23 – 24 via ShowTix4U. Tickets are available through the ShowTix4U portal. For information on theatre student tickets, students can visit the School of Theatre season page.
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