Studio 115 Double Feature Avant-Garde Student Plays Debut in DuPont

KATIE ROBINSON

Warm light silently saturates the stage, illuminating four masked figures clad in white when, one of them speaks, “So what is theatre then?” the play has begun. Studio 115, part of the theatre and dance department is presenting a new play festival.
A production of two student written and produced plays entitled, “JIM (the slow fade of love)” written by sophomore Taylor Williams and “Generation Fail” by junior Paul Morris.
These two plays will be performed in repetition alternating Thursday through Sunday starting at 7:30 pm every night and 2 p.m. on Sunday. For a complete description of the performance schedule visit the “Studio 115 Play Festival” event on Facebook.
Once again, our avant-garde student theatre challenges its audience to view the world differently, and to ask questions about life, love, success, and failure. When asked what students will get from this festival, Williams said, “I think that the big thing people should get is a sense of adventurousness from the studio.
These are two shows that go in completely different directions completely created by students, they’re remarkable! This festival proves that Studio 115 is not only a lab space but a viable entity on campus.” Senior Delaney Twining, an actor in “Generation Fail” described this play as consisting of three intricate and touchingly hilarious vignettes connected by one narrator offering thoughts on the failures of science, obstacles in love, and set backs at work.
The locations for these miniature moments include Space, a bar, and a pier from the early 1900’s. Twining plays the role of narrator, a blonde/brunette/and redhead, and a mobster.
Twining said, “I enjoy the play, it’s funny, very funny, and it makes you think about the human condition.”
While this play comically illustrates the pieces of life which are understood universally, “JIM,” in stark contrast presents more serious subject matter. A drama that deals with “love, death, and the memories of a past that begs to be resolved,” as Williams said, it was, “a drama born out of artistic frustration which has allowed me to experiment with different methods of storytelling.
I hope that audiences will be challenged to follow this story,” Twining said.  These two shows, worthy of the attention of our student body and as senior Mitch Macdonald says, “if students come to see these plays they will be affected. It is an experience that overwhelms the senses; it will allow you to forget about that final or paper you should be writing, you’ll just watch students work.
It’s entertaining.” Is there any other reason why these plays should be seen? Magan Carrigan, a sophomore playing the role of Eve in “JIM” responded, “we’ve all worked really hard and it’s free…it’s worth it!”