By Mary Best
Managing Editor
SBU Theater has canceled their winter production of “A Christmas Carol” in lieu of a one-act play festival titled “Knowing and Un-Knowing.”
Ed. Simone, director of the theater program, changed the show as a result of the turnout at last week’s auditions for “A Christmas Carol.”
“Although we had sufficient actors audition to fill the six student roles for the Carol, we had an unusually strong turnout of women — far more than were needed for the Carol,” Simone wrote in an email. “We decided to change course and do an evening of one-acts featuring actresses.”
Rebecca Misenheimer, associate professor of theater, agreed with Simone on the decision, along with the student designer and stage manager, he said.
SBU Theater has produced five one-act play festivals since the major was created in 2002, typically alternating every other spring. Simone has put the festival on hold for other projects in recent years, including last spring’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” With two or three one-acts slotted for the festival, there are still a few yet to be discussed, Simone said.
“As we have done in the past with our one-act festivals, we’d like to keep those a surprise until later,” Simone said. “I can tell you the roster will be a mix of comedy and drama. We’re calling it a selection of plays about ‘words, wings and getting wise.’”
While the festival is an unexpected change, production elements meant for the original holiday show will remain consistent for “Knowing and Un-Knowing.”
“We’ll use the three-quarter seating for the one-acts, as we’re doing for ‘More Than Before,’” Simone said. “The sets and costumes will be designed by Emily West as her senior capstone.”
“One Act Festival VI: Knowing and Un-Knowing” will be performed four times in the Garret Theater. It is set for Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 & 2 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee on Dec. 1 at 2 p.m.
Despite the change of plans, Simone will keep “A Christmas Carol” as a future option for SBU Theater.
“It’s a favorite of mine and of several of our theater students, too, so I’m sure we’ll get back to it someday,” Simone said.
bestmk10@bonaventutre.edu
