JESSICA ONI
Staff Writer
Early 20th century poet W. H. Auden once said: “The way to read a fairy tale is to throw yourself in.”
Perhaps he only meant this metaphorically, but beginning today, eight Seaver students will literally thrust themselves into the legacies of fairy tales, as they present the Multicultural Theatre Project’s spring play “Once Upon A Time …”
Based entirely on concepts from fairy tales, the production seeks to encourage dialogue about the often underestimated power of myth on society.
The Multicultural Theatre project has become well known around campus during the past five years because it looks at social issues from a modern perspective. This season’s production will be no exception to this rule.
“It’s about personal motivations, and why we do the things we do,” said senior Ali Manzano, one of the play’s eight cast members.
Dr. Joi Carr, who helped found the Multicultural Theatre Project in 2000, wrote and will direct the production, which she describes as “a journey to self” that addresses “ways in which we are driven or possessed by mythology.”
“It’s about self love in the face of people not understanding who you are,” she said.
Freshman sports medicine major Kevin Howard, who participated in several theatre productions in high school, said he knew he wanted to audition for the play from the moment he heard about it.
“I’d been looking for some type of theater to get involved with,” he said. “But it’s been unlike anything else I’ve ever done.”
Besides Howard, the majority of the cast have little to no acting experience.
Senior creative writing major Christi Alvarado will be participating in the play, as well.
Having written plays in classes for her major, she said she has found it somewhat difficult to get used to the experimental organizational structure of the production.
“I learned the structured way,” she said. “This is not so structured.”
Manzano said she hadn’t done any acting since junior high, when she participated in her school’s production of “Anne of Green Gables.” Though she used to act, she said it still feels like new territory to her.
“I feel really awkward in this play,” she said. “But it’s been good to be challenged in that way.”
Highlighting issues ranging from race to womanhood, “Once Upon A Time …” aims to confront various misconceptions painted in fairytales.
“We’re hoping that the show is really going to raise questions,” said Manzano. “And that people will be affected by the questions that are raised.”
Carr said her vision for the Multicultural Theatre Project is to “provide a space where we can have a discussion about subjects that are part of our daily lives.”
A unique aspect of “Once Upon A Time …” is that the cast has had a huge part in putting it together.
Alvarado said she felt the cast had an integral role in preparing for tonight’s production. She described the end result as “a collaboration between director and cast.”
Howard agreed that was one of the most exciting elements of the production.
“We’re having input and control over what the final show’s going to look like,” he said.
The cast agrees that it is the bond that they have formed with one another that has truly made the demanding, time-consuming experience worthwhile.
“It’s a lot of fun to work with all of them,” Alvarado said.
Manzano said she agreed.
“They’re really respectful and also really encouraging,”
she said.
According to Howard, some of the misconceptions the play deals with are beauty, love and the idea of “happily ever after.”
“It’s really just going to be real,” he said. “Sort of like magical realism.”
Though they don’t want to give too much away, the cast said that the play will conjure up various emotions from the audience.
“It’s a really mysterious show,” Manzano said. “It’s dramatic, definitely, but there are some really light-hearted parts.”
Carr said the production stresses the need for self reflection and the idea that, “the journey is yours and for you to live it conscientiously.”
In regards to his experience being the only male in the production, Howard said there had been “a few awkward moments.” But he said “that’s what drama looks like on a large scale.”
The production will showcase the talents of a memorable mixture of students from majors across the board. Aside from those already mentioned, the other cast members are Monique Jones, Lauren Hobar, Shalonda Martin, Heather Bruce and Carlyann Oquendo.
Thrusting its cast into the realm of fairy tales, “Once Upon A Time …” is sure to get people thinking about just how much of an impact childhood tales have on modern society and how much of an influence literature and tradition have had on our pasts.
Manzano said the whole experience has caused her to think about fairytales in ways she never really thought about them before.
“A piece of fairytales is in our behavior and how we find our contentment,” she said.
“Once Upon A Time…” runs Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee on Saturday.
Tickets cost $6 for students and $10 for the general public and can be purchased at the Smother’s Box Office.
03-16-2006
