By Peg West
Grand Valley State University
Performances are next week for the virtual production of a play presented by the Grand Valley State University theater program.
The presentation of “The Revolutionists” by Lauren Gunderson will be livestreamed at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Nov. 9, 11 and 13.
Auditions and rehearsals were conducted over screens and traditional staging is reimagined for the virtual world. Each actor will occupy a small room individually while interacting virtually with cast members during the performance. The technical crew will take images obtained through webcams in each room and feed them into a streaming system for the audience to see.
The cast for “The Revolutionists” is four characters. The play is described as an “irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror.”
Karen Libman, professor of theater and production director, said the goal is to carry on while facing the same challenges that all theaters are facing worldwide due to the pandemic. She also wants to ensure that the production stays true to the performing art by having the element of liveness that is inherent in theater.
“How can we do theater differently to continue to be able to practice our art and bring these performances to audiences?” Libman said. “How can we bring some kind of interactivity, some kind of liveness, so that it will not be like watching a film but will continue what is special to the discipline of theater?”
To purchase access to the performances, visit https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/40001.
