Spring Break
Students call all the shots at One Acts
Students star in, direct two plays this weekend
Heather Holm / Activities Editor
Issue date: 4/20/09 Section: News
Student directors showcased their talents at the Student Directed One Acts this weekend.
Bailey Murphy, a senior theatre arts major, directed the play "The God of Hell," which is about a couple in Wisconsin who gets a visit from a government official who warns the wife about something terrible that is coming.
The play was written by American playwright Sam Shepard as a response to the events of Sept. 11.
It occurs to the audience right away that there is something not right about the official, though.
Then, an old friend of the husband comes with a strange situation where every time someone touches him, the lights in the house flicker.
He then passes this on to the husband, and the wife is left with nothing at the end of the play because the government agent takes the husband and friend away.
"You didn't think you could get a free ride on democracy forever?" the agent asks right before she leaves with the two men at the end of the play.
Murphy chose three plays before "The God of Hell."
"The others were 'Wallace and Women' and the 'The American Dream,'" Murphy said. "This play was chosen because both plays had a political theme."
Murphy also said the part of the government agent was originally supposed to be a man, but she thought it would be more poignant to have a woman play the agent.
Murphy said she was surprised that the play turned out so well.
"I directed a comedy last time around, so the response was easier to see," she said. "I am very proud, though."
The second play was called "Cowboys and Indians" and was about two men who were running against each other for president, with one being black.
The Republican Party candidate's son turns out to be gay and goes to the Democratic Party candidate for help.
Brian McElligott, a freshman theatre arts major, played the Republican candidate and Dijon Marshall, a sophomore theatre arts major, played the Democratic candidate.
The father goes to the headquarters with his right-hand man, and they both have guns and threaten everyone, including the son.
What he does not know is it is all being taped and he loses the election.
Rich Aguilera, a senior theatre arts major, directed this play written by Eastern alumnus Brian Aycock.
"He told me to read his play," Aguilera said. "I said we need to do this. Both play themes were political, so I don't know why we did them in the spring."
Aguilera said the play had auditions and since some members dropped out, he had to steal some actors who were in the children's play "The Princess and the Pea."
"It went better than I expected," he said. "At the heart of it, it went beyond. I thought we might have a good cast and crew and it went miles beyond that."
Aguilera said he was a little apprehensive about finding an actor to play the black role and capture the essence of Barack Obama, but said Marshall did a good job.
Rob Browy, a sophomore theatre arts major, tried out for the part of the friend in the first play.
"It was a good learning experience," he said. "We had rehearsals and started building from there."
Caitlin Carroll, a junior theatre arts major, said the audience reacted how she thought they would.
She played a government agent.
"They reacted appropriately," she said. "It was not really meant to be a funny show."
Heather Holm can be reached at 581-7942 or at haholm@eiu.edu.
Bailey Murphy, a senior theatre arts major, directed the play "The God of Hell," which is about a couple in Wisconsin who gets a visit from a government official who warns the wife about something terrible that is coming.
The play was written by American playwright Sam Shepard as a response to the events of Sept. 11.
It occurs to the audience right away that there is something not right about the official, though.
Then, an old friend of the husband comes with a strange situation where every time someone touches him, the lights in the house flicker.
He then passes this on to the husband, and the wife is left with nothing at the end of the play because the government agent takes the husband and friend away.
"You didn't think you could get a free ride on democracy forever?" the agent asks right before she leaves with the two men at the end of the play.
Murphy chose three plays before "The God of Hell."
"The others were 'Wallace and Women' and the 'The American Dream,'" Murphy said. "This play was chosen because both plays had a political theme."
Murphy also said the part of the government agent was originally supposed to be a man, but she thought it would be more poignant to have a woman play the agent.
Murphy said she was surprised that the play turned out so well.
"I directed a comedy last time around, so the response was easier to see," she said. "I am very proud, though."
The second play was called "Cowboys and Indians" and was about two men who were running against each other for president, with one being black.
The Republican Party candidate's son turns out to be gay and goes to the Democratic Party candidate for help.
Brian McElligott, a freshman theatre arts major, played the Republican candidate and Dijon Marshall, a sophomore theatre arts major, played the Democratic candidate.
The father goes to the headquarters with his right-hand man, and they both have guns and threaten everyone, including the son.
What he does not know is it is all being taped and he loses the election.
Rich Aguilera, a senior theatre arts major, directed this play written by Eastern alumnus Brian Aycock.
"He told me to read his play," Aguilera said. "I said we need to do this. Both play themes were political, so I don't know why we did them in the spring."
Aguilera said the play had auditions and since some members dropped out, he had to steal some actors who were in the children's play "The Princess and the Pea."
"It went better than I expected," he said. "At the heart of it, it went beyond. I thought we might have a good cast and crew and it went miles beyond that."
Aguilera said he was a little apprehensive about finding an actor to play the black role and capture the essence of Barack Obama, but said Marshall did a good job.
Rob Browy, a sophomore theatre arts major, tried out for the part of the friend in the first play.
"It was a good learning experience," he said. "We had rehearsals and started building from there."
Caitlin Carroll, a junior theatre arts major, said the audience reacted how she thought they would.
She played a government agent.
"They reacted appropriately," she said. "It was not really meant to be a funny show."
Heather Holm can be reached at 581-7942 or at haholm@eiu.edu.
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