The SIU theater department is preparing to introduce some of its new performers in the series of short plays, New Faces, beginning Oct. 3.
The series of performances, streamed on YouTube, will demonstrate the department’s efforts to utilize new methods of producing and displaying art over a virtual platform as opposed to a live staged performance.
Lavinia Roberts, an M.F.A. playwriting student, will be the producer of New Faces, and said the process will happen over a two week period.
“It is an evening of short plays and musical numbers, performed by the students new to SIU theater department,” Roberts said. “This year, the short five-minute plays will be written by graduate and Ph.D. level playwrights and directed by Old Faces or upperclassmen theater students.”
New Faces gives opportunities to newcomers in theater, like Dwayne Freeman Jr., a freshman majoring in musical theater.
Freeman Jr. said he was excited about the process and he looks forward to being a part of New Faces. This will be his first production of the semester.
When asked about how his first semester and how he was dealing with all the changes due to COVID-19, he said everything was going well, and initially thought these new changes might make the situation more complicated.
“It’s very inspiring, though I look forward to the days of when everything will be back on stage and we will be able to get the lighting and the effects and the whole full nine yards of the theater.” Freeman said.
For now, Freeman said he is working just as hard to make his mark on his theater career.
With collaborations like New Faces, students have the opportunity to come up and create something new with old and new faces alike. Roberts said the rehearsals and tech are all over Zoom and the process has been thought over thoroughly.
Dr. Jacob Juntunen, head of playwriting MFA and Ph.D. programs and director of graduate studies in theater said the virtual process will continue at least for this year, and is excited for the challenge of performing online instead of “Moe” Theater.
“SIU Playwriting worked hard over the summer -- particularly MFA student Dustin Hageland -- to figure out the technology to allow us to produce new plays in a streaming environment. This year, we are concentrating on utilizing that technology to its utmost,” Juntunen said.
Until next year, SIU theater students and faculty alike are working on platforms like Zoom, but there can be many issues to face when dealing with the technology.
“Playwrights, directors, and actors are really going to have to embrace the medium of Zoom. There is ample opportunity to explore, play, and create using this online medium and I am looking forward to seeing what folks come up with,” Roberts said.
Roberts said since the event is free and accessible online, New Faces can be shared with loved ones everywhere.
“For example, I’m excited my relatives in the UK will be able to watch the production,” Roberts said.
It is up to playwrights, directors, and actors to come up with clever ways to incorporate Zoom into their art to make it work and function on this platform.
At the beginning of October, the theater department would normally host the Big Muddy Shorts, an evening of short plays written by SIU playwrights held once monthly, but this year’s New Faces will incorporate Big Muddy performances as well.
Freeman, Roberts and Juntunen recommend individuals to check out last month’s worth of plays because it’s a taste of what SIU’s theater department brings to the table as artists.
“New Faces will be an impactful and exciting evening of live performance and an opportunity to see some of the talent we have here at SIUC. The theme for this year is ‘Conspiracy Theories.’ The playwrights, directors, and actors will discuss the theme, then the playwrights will write the play, considering the strengths of the actors and the theme as discussed by the group.” Roberts said.
Juntenen said it is a great opportunity to see SIU’s theater students and their talent as they are beginning their careers.
“You can say you had the t-shirt before they were famous,” Juntunen said. “For instance, Zoe Jenson was in New Faces only a few years ago, and now she's playing Eliza in a touring production of ‘Hamilton.’”
If you can’t make it to New Faces, there are more upcoming performances to look forward to as well.
“In the spring semester, SIU Playwriting will be streaming its annual Big Muddy New Play Festival, which this year will include five new full-length plays. The Department of Theater will also be producing the musical ‘Tuck Everlasting.’” Juntunen said.
Grab some popcorn, candy, and a blanket to settle down and watch New Faces, which will be performed on a live stream on YouTube on Oct. 3 at 7:00 p.m.
(Note: If you would like to check out last month’s Big Muddy Shorts the link is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vikEhU7rV4U&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3Yj2zL4rlN4wB_tLJKBPg-S8bgInqXk-u1x9njlt71WNi0ObeAf3dWUUQ)
The series of performances, streamed on YouTube, will demonstrate the department’s efforts to utilize new methods of producing and displaying art over a virtual platform as opposed to a live staged performance.
Lavinia Roberts, an M.F.A. playwriting student, will be the producer of New Faces, and said the process will happen over a two week period.
“It is an evening of short plays and musical numbers, performed by the students new to SIU theater department,” Roberts said. “This year, the short five-minute plays will be written by graduate and Ph.D. level playwrights and directed by Old Faces or upperclassmen theater students.”
New Faces gives opportunities to newcomers in theater, like Dwayne Freeman Jr., a freshman majoring in musical theater.
Freeman Jr. said he was excited about the process and he looks forward to being a part of New Faces. This will be his first production of the semester.
When asked about how his first semester and how he was dealing with all the changes due to COVID-19, he said everything was going well, and initially thought these new changes might make the situation more complicated.
“It’s very inspiring, though I look forward to the days of when everything will be back on stage and we will be able to get the lighting and the effects and the whole full nine yards of the theater.” Freeman said.
For now, Freeman said he is working just as hard to make his mark on his theater career.
With collaborations like New Faces, students have the opportunity to come up and create something new with old and new faces alike. Roberts said the rehearsals and tech are all over Zoom and the process has been thought over thoroughly.
Dr. Jacob Juntunen, head of playwriting MFA and Ph.D. programs and director of graduate studies in theater said the virtual process will continue at least for this year, and is excited for the challenge of performing online instead of “Moe” Theater.
“SIU Playwriting worked hard over the summer -- particularly MFA student Dustin Hageland -- to figure out the technology to allow us to produce new plays in a streaming environment. This year, we are concentrating on utilizing that technology to its utmost,” Juntunen said.
Until next year, SIU theater students and faculty alike are working on platforms like Zoom, but there can be many issues to face when dealing with the technology.
“Playwrights, directors, and actors are really going to have to embrace the medium of Zoom. There is ample opportunity to explore, play, and create using this online medium and I am looking forward to seeing what folks come up with,” Roberts said.
Roberts said since the event is free and accessible online, New Faces can be shared with loved ones everywhere.
“For example, I’m excited my relatives in the UK will be able to watch the production,” Roberts said.
It is up to playwrights, directors, and actors to come up with clever ways to incorporate Zoom into their art to make it work and function on this platform.
At the beginning of October, the theater department would normally host the Big Muddy Shorts, an evening of short plays written by SIU playwrights held once monthly, but this year’s New Faces will incorporate Big Muddy performances as well.
Freeman, Roberts and Juntunen recommend individuals to check out last month’s worth of plays because it’s a taste of what SIU’s theater department brings to the table as artists.
“New Faces will be an impactful and exciting evening of live performance and an opportunity to see some of the talent we have here at SIUC. The theme for this year is ‘Conspiracy Theories.’ The playwrights, directors, and actors will discuss the theme, then the playwrights will write the play, considering the strengths of the actors and the theme as discussed by the group.” Roberts said.
Juntenen said it is a great opportunity to see SIU’s theater students and their talent as they are beginning their careers.
“You can say you had the t-shirt before they were famous,” Juntunen said. “For instance, Zoe Jenson was in New Faces only a few years ago, and now she's playing Eliza in a touring production of ‘Hamilton.’”
If you can’t make it to New Faces, there are more upcoming performances to look forward to as well.
“In the spring semester, SIU Playwriting will be streaming its annual Big Muddy New Play Festival, which this year will include five new full-length plays. The Department of Theater will also be producing the musical ‘Tuck Everlasting.’” Juntunen said.
Grab some popcorn, candy, and a blanket to settle down and watch New Faces, which will be performed on a live stream on YouTube on Oct. 3 at 7:00 p.m.
(Note: If you would like to check out last month’s Big Muddy Shorts the link is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vikEhU7rV4U&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3Yj2zL4rlN4wB_tLJKBPg-S8bgInqXk-u1x9njlt71WNi0ObeAf3dWUUQ)