MONMOUTH, Ill. –
Since the invention of cell phones as brick-sized monstrosities in the
1970s, they have risen in prominence and their use has become ubiquitous.
Simultaneously, and perhaps consequently, other practices and beliefs have
begun to recede. What is sacred now? How do we connect? How can we know
ourselves and others? How do we make meaning in life and death?
Ruhl’s 2007 play will be performed Nov. 20-22 in the College’s Wells
Theater. The play – which will be presented twice in person to limited
audiences and once online – will be directed by four students for their
final project in the “Principles of Directing” class: Allie
Bryan ’22 of Abingdon, Illinois; Amelia
Chavez ’21 of Chicago; Richard
Eyre ’21 of Mount Prospect, Illinois; and Noah
Harshbarger ’21 of Cameron, Illinois.
The Nov. 20 and Nov. 22 on-stage performances will be given before an audience of no more than 25 people. Actors will perform in special masks and remain socially distanced from the audience.
During the semester-long production process, students draw upon existing knowledge of theatre praxis in the areas of acting, design and tech, script analysis and dramaturgy, as well as upon their growing knowledge of directing. Through the experience, theatre majors are able to expand their appreciation for, and skillset in, the craft of theatre.
“I want the audience to have that moment of ‘Oh wow, I should call this person’ or ‘Man, I really need to touch base with that person.’” – Amelia Chavez
The
play’s dominant themes include the dualities of isolation/intimacy,
mystery/knowledge and life/death. Technology is one vehicle Ruhl uses to
develop these themes throughout the play.
“I want the audience to have that moment of ‘Oh wow, I should call this
person’ or ‘Man, I really need to touch base with that person,’” said
Chavez. “Call your loved ones. Make sure your
love/admiration/aggression/sadness is known. We go on through life way too
often without proper communication. Fix the discrepancies that come from
that. Make it known that you care for one another.”
Bryan also has goals for the audience experience.
“I want the audience to reflect on both the lighthearted and serious moments
of the play,” she said. “While there is a dark undertone present in this
narrative, I found it to be entertaining, and I was able to make connections
between the actions of the characters and my own personal habits and
experiences.
Harshbarger also acknowledged the funny/sad duality of the play.
“This play is both extremely funny and extremely sad in the most relatable
way,” he said. “There are so many big questions in this play. I want the
audience to ask themselves these big questions while watching the play and
especially after having watched it.”
Eyre, who is fresh off starring in the College’s October production of An
Enemy of the People, said “After watching this play, I want the thought
‘What impression have I made on my family, my friends?’ to cross each member
of the audience’s minds. We are on this Earth for a relatively short amount
of time. Knowing who we are is one thing, one very important thing. But what
do we mean to others?”
# # #
Monmouth College will
present “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 22
at Wells Theater on campus. A total of 25 tickets will be sold for each
performance and can be purchased at monmouthcollege.edu/theatre. An
unlimited number of tickets will be available for the Nov. 21 online-only
performance, which will be at 7:30 p.m. A talk-back will follow the Nov. 21
performance via Zoom. Tickets and online passes are $10 for adults, $8 for
seniors and Monmouth faculty and staff, and $6 for Monmouth students.