By: Paige Scofield Campus Life Editor
Western theater students took to the Rice Auditorium stage to rehearse for the 2016 fall show, “Machinal.” Despite the fact that the set remains unfinished, the students are eager to begin rehearsal to make this show as polished as possible.
As stated by the Internet Broadway Database,“Machinal,” written by American journalist and playwright, Sophie Treadwell, premiered on the broadway stage on Sept. 7, 1928. Written in the style of expressionism, “Machinal,” brings an interesting and eccentric form of storytelling to the stage.
According to the University of Delaware Library, expressionistic plays are known for their “unconventional” ways of showing the inner workings of the human psyche. Often employing the use of strange dialogue, unrealistic movements, distorted scenery and stylized acting.
“The simplest way I could describe it (expressionism) is the idea of the individual being crushed by the machine of society,” said Gabriel Elmore, a junior in the Bachelor of Fine Arts acting program and supporting castmate.
“It’s not so much about the dialogue, as it is about the feeling that the dialogue invokes, from the audience and the actors. My character is trying to be as real as possible, but she’s failing miserably at it, because, she has all of these societal pressures that are coming down on her.” said Meghan Doerfler, a sophomore in the Bachelor of Fine Arts acting program and lead in the play.
When asked if she faced any challenges while taking on the role of, “Young Woman,” Doerfler responded, “I really enjoy working on it so far, because it’s my first lead role here at Western, and that in itself has been a challenge for me.”
“It’s such an expressionistic play, and that’s something that I don’t think any of the actors in the show have ever done before, so it’s getting used to a whole new style of acting while still trying to act it,” she added.
“Machinal” is performing in Rice Auditorium Nov. 10-12 and 16-19 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 13 at 2:00 p.m.
“Machinal is about your average Jane trying to survive in this society that she doesn’t know how to behave in.” Doerfler said, “She wants to find love, and everyone is telling her that is an impossible concept”
For purchasing tickets and additional information contact Rice Auditorium’s box office at 503-838-8462.
Box Office Hours: 12:30-4:30 p.m. weekdays, reopening at 6:00 p.m. night of performance.
Contact the author at journalcampuslife@mail.wou.edu
