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‘Refuge’: An eye-opening performance

Cast and crew members prepare to perform “Refuge” on campus this week.

Jessica Kergo
Connector Staff

The Theatre Arts Program at UMass Lowell is currently producing their spring 2016 show. This season’s production is a devised theatre piece called “Refuge” that will delve into the people who need refuge, the people who seek refuge, and the places they find it. The play attempts to exhibit a topic that is not often understood on an intimate level.

Guest Director David E. Shane reveals that “Refuge” will afford UMass Lowell “a chance to engage in a discussion about current events in a way that is personal and not sensational.” In today’s world, refuge is often viewed only through the miniscule lens afforded to the public by the media. As a result, the entire truth behind this powerful topic is often overlooked. “Refuge” intends to examine the concept in a whole new way.

Though he couldn’t disclose too much information about the play itself, Shane explains that the idea for this performance came about when he and Production Coordinator Shelley Bearish were inspired by a display at an exhibit on Fashion in politics in Toronto, Canada.

The production is not a typical performance that one might expect to see in a theatre. It is a blend of what is known as documentary theatre and devised movement theatre. This means that the dialogue and characters are based entirely upon previously obtained documentary material and are portrayed through ad interim improvisational stage direction. In this case, the cast will be portraying the direct words and mannerisms of actual refugees who were interviewed in order to create the script.

In other words, there was no particular writer of “Refuge.” The actors and producers composed the script by combining, verbatim, bits and pieces of the interviews they have personally conducted with those who have had firsthand sophomore and Theater Arts major Jill Zuber speaks to the uniqueness of this particular production. “Usually when you’re reading a script, you interpret the character on your own, but with this you have to portray them as they are,” said Zuber.

Not only does the cast and stage crew have to prepare for the performance, they are also charged with the responsibility of creating the performance. Stage manager, senior and double major in psychology and English Alexa Lambert, said for the first month and a half of production” she was “reviewing interviews instead of stage managing.” The cast and crew have just recently completed the final copy of the script and is rehearsing tirelessly for the performance. While taxing and difficult, this experience will equip the Theatre Arts program with a new understanding of theatric production while providing the campus with an engaging and thought provoking piece.

The performance will occur on Wednesday, April 20 through Saturday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 24 at 2:00 p.m. at the Comley-Lane Theatre in Mahoney Hall. Tickets are going fast but there’s still time to reserve a seat. Admission prices are $5 for students, senior citizens and military personnel and $10 for adults.

Tickets can be reserved by emailing your name along with the number of tickets you would like and the desired show time to umlplaytix@gmail.com. Reservations will be accepted up to 24 hours before the desired performance.

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