When Amy Thomas '99 makes her directing debut tonight with two one-act plays, the audience is sure to be pulled into a world of deception, confrontation and humor.
The first play, "Am I Blue" by Beth Henley, stars Leslie Plaisted '00 and Brett Kiefer '99 as two young adults meeting and conversing in a bar. "It's a story about them getting to know each other, and the issues that face people of college age," Thomas said.
The second play, "The Problem" by A.R. Gurney Jr., is, according to Thomas, about "a woman who is pregnant, who must admit to her husband she had an affair. It's a story of deceit and the fun and games between people."
"The Problem" stars Julie Sagalowsky '00 as the pregnant woman and Carter Jackson '98 as her husband.
"It's full of surprises and confrontation between a husband and wife, confronting each other with their own little secrets," Sagalowsky said. "Both characters have their own quirks and strengths, and they play off of one another and balance each other."
Despite the seemingly serious tone, Thomas assures us both plays are comedies.
"They are both about men-women relationships," Thomas said, "but different aspects of relationships. I think the problems are light and funny. This is not an intense drama. It is something more enjoyable, but it still makes you think."
"It's a really fun, exciting show where the audience will be part of it, and their responses will fuel the show," Sagalowsky said of her play. "A lot of the play revolves around the performance itself."
What originally attracted Thomas to these two plays were the strong female characters. "When I was searching for shows, I was looking for plays with strong women's roles, and I was looking for something that would challenge the actresses. Both women are very take charge and pushy," Thomas said.
The excitement of playing a strong role was cited by Sagalowsky. "I think it is definitely an exciting opportunity where male/female roles are balanced," she said. "Each character is challenging the other one."
For Thomas, these plays are all part of a continuing journey in theater, having transferred to Dartmouth for the strong Drama department. "Three productions a term is a huge amount of work, and it is impressive it happens," said Thomas.
Thomas worked her way to director by being Assistant Stage manager and Stage manager in two other plays. "It is something I have been working up to," Thomas said.
But directing has both its pluses and minuses, Thomas said. While Thomas is enthusiastic to be directing these productions because "it is nice to be able to have a vision and then place that vision on the stage." But in directing a play, "there is no ability to hide behind someone else." Especially when something goes on.
Thomas hopes that if these two plays go well, next year she will be able to direct a full length play.
All three student productions are in Bentley this term, which works well for these plays, Thomas said. "It is a very intimate space. The audience is very close to the stage and very involved in what the actors are doing."
Rehearsals for the two plays began only three weeks ago, and the cast and crew have practiced four hours a night, six days a week to prepare, but it seems the rehearsals will pay off.
"You'll leave in a happy mood," promised Thomas. "If people don't leave laughing, I'll be very surprised."
The show is playing tonight, Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m.
