For those less familiar with the musical side of College Ave., I invite you to meet the Lawrence University Department of Theatre Arts! This term the department put on “Working: A Musical,” a heartening show that is based on Studs Terkel’s 1974 book — a compilation of interviews entitled “Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do.”
I want to provide an actor’s perspective on the show. We began the auditioning process during the first week of the term, starting with a standard audition and then going into callbacks and a movement audition. Rehearsals started at the beginning of week two. The typical rehearsal schedule for Lawrence University Theatre is Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., although most people aren’t called for the full three hours until later on in the rehearsal process.
I played two characters in the show, in addition to being a backup singer and ensemble member. My first character was Eddie Jaffe, a publicist who is fed up with their job and life’s work. I got to rip a newspaper in half on stage for each performance! My second character was Charlie Blossom, a 19-year-old who gets fired from their job as a journalist because they disagreed with the newspaper’s capitalist agenda. This character was exceptionally fun to play, as I got to roast capitalism and swear on stage (multiple times).
Being a part of a community effort like this was deeply rewarding. Over the course of about six weeks I got to meet such beautiful and dedicated people and witness the magic they worked hard to create. It seems as though nearly everyone partakes (willingly or not) in the ever-present “Lawrence Busy,” which makes the collective energy and effort of the cast and crew so admirable. Despite my seemingly never-ending to-do list, I looked forward to rehearsals every night, even when we entered the intense demands of tech week.
This was my fourth theatre performance at Lawrence, and as a senior, I found it really special. It felt very full-circle; I initially came to Lawrence as a Theatre Arts major, so reclaiming the Stansbury stage felt only right. I always appreciate how much I learn from my castmates, and this musical was no exception. From the vocal productions to the monologues to the movements, I am so inspired by the work of my peers. Whether they have extensive experience or are relatively new, there is always something to learn from.
Although our final performance was Saturday, Nov. 2, I will keep this musical experience with me for a long time. I will also hold onto the heart and leadership of the creative team. I was especially affected by our choreographer, Mauriah Donegan Kraker. A professor of dance, Kraker brings so much humanity and creativity to the work she does. In addition to devising movements and working with us to do so, she reminded us to “see each other,” something we often forget to do as we go about our busy go-go-go days.
I am ending this term full of gratitude for art, especially music, theatre and dance. I am also very grateful for the community and people who value human interaction and the human experience. My parting advice is to get involved with the arts at Lawrence. They are more than just aesthetics; they are everything that makes us human.