University of North Alabama - Diorama Yearbook (Florence, AL)

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In the fall production. Uncle Vanya by Chekhov, Steve Knight, Deborah Detrick and Bill Barnett portray characters w(ho, according to Direaor John O ' Connor, are vastly different from anything they have so far attempted. Photo by Brentwood Reid. yAc 1 Volpone, by Ben Jonson, Androgyne, played by Beth Phillips; Nano, played by Amy Shipman; and Castrone, layed by Deborah Detrick, consult Voltore, played by Doug Young. Photo by Shannon Wells. Suaatt i4t 2t

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Stage presence Theatre department tackles some difficult characterizations With the rehearsals over, the sets painted and the programs print- ed, an air of excitement and ner- vousness loomed in the heart of every cast and crew member. It was opening night. The UNA communications and theatre department presented Anton Chekhov ' s play Uncle Vanya. Set in nineteenth century Russia, it is a story of love, deceit, hope and lost dreams. The play focuses around one family and their coming of age, new beginnings and painful realizations. The play ' s most noticeable feature was its contrasts between tfie old and the young. The older characters in the play had become bitter because many of their dreams and aspirations were never realized. At one point, the title character, Uncle Vanya, played by William A. Barnett, said, My nights are spent in a viscous fury of the life which I ' ve let slip away from me. I could have enjoyed everything in life. I enjoyed nothing. In contrast, the younger characters have faith in the future. Sofya, played by Jennifer Steen, said, Dear Uncle, God will have pity on us. And we shall look back on this new life with tenderness. Steve Knight, who played the part of Telegin, said, This play has been a lot of work. Chekhov is very difficult. But we pulled together and gave it all we had. I think we accomplished a quality produc- tion. We decided to do Uncle Vanya because it has been so long since one of Chekhov ' s works has been performed at UNA, said director Dr. John O ' Connor. Chekhov is considered by most critics as an outstanding playwright because his works are insightful as well as humorously ironic. The characters in Uncle Vanya are so demanding... At first it was a problem for the mem- bers of the company because the characters are so demanding. We ' ve reached the level of characterization that is transparent enough for the audience to understand, O ' Connor said. The cast gradually discovered that the characters they portrayed in the play are some of the hardest they have ever attempted, but they are doing a great job. ' Uncle Vanya was performed Novembei 11 through November 13 in Norton Auditorium. In addition to the fall production th theatre and communications department presented Volpone (or The Fox), a play by Ben Jonson. Elaborate make-up and plo twists were a big part of that production. According to Jim Davis, director o Volpone, the play was a wonderful succes! for a number of reasons. We had a grea time putting this classical piece together, especially enjoyed the costuming. We had c wonderful make-up artist, Debbie Stracner who was indispensable in that aspect o ' getting the show ready, he said. Speaking of makeup, Beth Phillips, whc played a hermaphrodite, found being cos turned with one male half and one femah half a tough challenge. It took forever jus to get everything on, my mustache on and my hair slicked back, while the other half ol my head is ail frizzy. It was a lot of fun. Volpone was performed in April of the spring semester. by Deborah Detrick and Michelle Rupe Fighting to the finish, Corvino, played by Brad Letson, and the courtroom bailiff, played by Rod Sowizrol, duel to maintain order while Celia, played by Jennifer Steen, and a Lady-in-Waiting, played by Annette Parham, watch in horror. Photo by Shannon Wells. 20 ScuJaa As part of the Albert S. Johnston Endowment, th English Department and the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival presented Shakespeare ' s The: lam ' mq of the Shrew to the students and the communi- ty. Photo by Bill Savage.

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Even after the commuter gets to campus there ' s still the whole parking thing. Spaces right in front of class- room buildings are at a premium. Photo by Shannon Wells. ZS StudaiCji4e