‘Builders’ setting stage to scare
HAYLEY LERCH
Staff Writer
A frightened, anxiety-ridden family moves from room to room to escape the peculiar sound that haunts them. They isolate themselves from the rest of the world in hopes of escaping the threatening noise. Plagued by confusion and paranoia, the family members laugh one moment and act out with violence the next.
This may sound like the newest installment of “The X-Files” or a revival of “The Twilight Zone,” but it is actually the premise of the upcoming Pepperdine Theatre Department production of “The Empire Builders.”
According to the director, assistant professor of theatre Bradley Griffin, French writer Boris Vian was inspired to write the 1959 play after observing the Battle of Algiers in northern Africa. Native Algerians attempted to overthrow French colonial rule that had persisted for over a hundred years. Though the play is not oriented in any particular time or place, it raises political and societal questions pertinent to today.
“What happens when the occupiers discover that they have become the occupied?” Griffin asked. “The characters in this play know that their world, their society, is in danger of collapse, and yet they choose to pretend that everything is fine.”
These unpredictable characters will be brought to life by a select group of Pepperdine students including senior Chad Jones as Leon, senior Alex Fthenakis as Garrett, sophomore Giovanne Helou as The Schmurz, freshman Erika Varela as Anna, senior Courtney McCurdy as Zenobia and sophomore Allegra Edwards as Mug.
Because this piece is considered an absurdist play in its attention to ambiguity and its defiance of traditional dramatic elements, the actors have had to alter their mindsets.
“This is my first experience in a non-traditional theatre piece, so it is often challenging to make the adjustments necessary to work in a different style of theatre,” said Fthenakis, who plays the family’s neighbor. “Also, this script provides little information about Mr. Garret, so I have had to work especially hard to create my character for the audience in a very small amount of time.”
Jones, who plays the father, said that his experience has been challenging thus far, but that playing this part has also been enlightening.
“I’ve learned a lot about the way people close their eyes to certain horrors as a means of survival, and the violence of frustration, cowardice and self-loathing,” Jones said.
In addition to its unusual characterizations, Vian’s play is infused with a dynamic mixture of dark comedy and violence. Griffin said that the cast has been working with a professional fight choreographer to stage the violent scenes.
Another unconventional aspect of the play involves the set design, which was created by senior Kate Kearns.
“She has created an incredible set that adapts beautifully to the demands of the script,” Griffin said.
While the actors and technicians have had to approach this piece with flexibility, audiences will also have to adjust their way of thinking.
“The play is filled with a mix of stereotypical personae and abstract, undefined entities,” Fthenakis said. “These entities do not follow a traditional plot, and the messages have a deliberate degree of ambiguity, leaving the specific application to individual interpretation.”
Audience members have an opportunity to bring their own interpretive lens through which to view the characters and their situation. “While the style of this production is a bit different, it is very accessible,” Griffin said. “I think all members of the Pepperdine community will leave the play having had a good time, but also having plenty to think about.”
Jones said “The Empire Builders” will engage the audience because it is unlike any other play presented at Pepperdine.
“One can expect to laugh one moment, and wince a split-second later,” he said. “The action of the play is at once compelling, grim and perplexing. It will really knock you around.”
For those who wish to further explore the play’s central themes, there will be a forum for discussion with Griffin and the actors following the performance on Wednesday, Oct. 10.
The play, which runs ninety minutes without an intermission, will be presented at the Helen E. Lindhurst Theatre. It will show at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9 through Friday, Oct. 12 and at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13.
Tickets for the show, priced at $15 for the public, $10 for Pepperdine students and $12 for Pepperdine faculty and staff, can be purchased through the Pepperdine Center for the Arts Box Office.
10-04-2007
