This fall, the Trinity theatre department has a season of dark and humorous entertainment awaiting the Trinity community. Lucas Hnath’s “A Doll’s House, Part 2” and Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin’s “The Prom” are the two department-produced shows slated for this semester. Concurrently, the Trinity University Players (TUPS) will be putting on their annual production, “First Years Putting on Theatre” (FYPOT).
“A Doll’s House, Part 2” is the first show that the theatre department is producing this fall. The original play, “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen, is often considered an influential feminist drama. Ibsen’s play centers around the character Nora, a 19th-century housewife. When Nora discovers that she has not realized her full potential as a woman living in a patriarchal society, she leaves her husband and children to find her true self.
Hnath’s “A Doll’s House, Part 2” takes place 15 years later when Nora returns. After abandoning her family, Nora must confront how her abandonment has affected her husband, Torvald, and her children.
Stacey Connelly, associate professor of human communication and theatre, is directing “A Doll’s House, Part 2.” She said that to her, good dramatic literature allows the actors to explore the themes of a play.
“Whoever gets cast, they’re going to be bringing their unique point of view and life experience to it,” Connelly said.
Just one month after “A Doll’s House, Part 2” closes, Martin and Beguelin’s “The Prom” takes center stage. “The Prom” is a zany musical comedy about a group of Broadway actors who protest against a small Indiana town canceling prom because a female student wants to bring a girl as her date. With a cast of 23 actors, “The Prom” is Trinity’s biggest show in eight years.
Nathan Stith, associate professor of human communication and theatre, is directing “The Prom.” Stith said that he loves the entire process of directing a musical, particularly the technical rehearsals when everything comes together.
“I’m really excited to do this huge show with all these people and dancing,” Stith said. “It’s a big ambitious show, and that’s really fun.”
Additionally, TUPS is producing the annual FYPOT show, which consists of several 10-minute plays directed by upperclassmen and mostly starring first-year students. FYPOT is under the TUPS umbrella, a social club and a student organization on-campus.
Kaylin Balyeat, junior anthropology and ancient Mediterranean studies double major, is TUPS’ recruitment and retention officer this year. Balyeat is running the production of FYPOT, and they said that it is a method of introducing first-year students to theatre without the time commitments that mainstage productions require.
“You get to know some people really closely, and … if they participate in FYPOT frequently, keep their friendships with their FYPOT group,” Balyeat said.
They also said that FYPOT is supposed to be a good time for first-year students that gives them a stress-free introduction to the theatre community here at Trinity.
“I hope [the first-years] have lots of laughs and they have a great time and get to meet some really good friends,” Balyeat said.
“A Doll’s House, Part 2” runs Sept. 29-Oct. 7 in the Attic Theatre, “The Prom” runs Nov. 3-11 in the Stieren Theatre, and “FYPOT” runs Sept. 22-23 in the Café Theatre.
