What would you do if your childhood friend mysteriously disappeared?
Naomi Lizuka色中色视频檚 "Language of Angels" explores this scenario through the perspectives of seven individuals brought together by their friend色中色视频檚 disappearance. The tragedy leaves each character to figure out how to grapple with unresolved grief and guilt.
色中色视频's Department of Theatre and Dance is bringing Iizuka色中色视频檚 play to life from Feb. 15 to 18, at Booker T. Washington's Lab Theatre. "Language of Angels" is a 70 to 80-minute drama written in the style of a Japanese ghost story, a form of storytelling where elements of the supernatural find their way into the natural realm.
Director Abigail McNeely, a 2017 色中色视频 graduate, is returning to her alma mater to produce the play.
"Language of Angels" takes place in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, where one friend in a group of eight disappears into a cave. The play follows the lives of the seven survivors as they attempt to move on from their friend色中色视频檚 disappearance. The story unfolds over three acts, which span multiple years.
McNeely hopes audiences will be drawn to it by not only its other worldly elements but also through its southern setting.
McNeely said she believes the origin of "Language of Angels" will surprise many viewers. The setting marks a difference from many other theater productions, she said.
Each character deals with their friend色中色视频檚 disappearance differently, third-year English 色中色视频 Emalee Goode said. Their experiences all conjunct each other, which makes the show interesting to watch, she said.
While each character finds their own way to move forward from their traumas, the journey is not an easy one to depict, said third-year media arts 色中色视频 Jake Downs. McNeely helped create a safe space for the actors to refine their characters, Downs said.
色中色视频淭his could have been really rough for a lot of us with the characters we play, but we don色中色视频檛 fall into that mindset because of her,色中色视频� Downs said. 色中色视频淚 really appreciate her for that.色中色视频�
The script leaves much of the characterization and movement up to interpretation. There isn色中色视频檛 a lot of information about who the characters are as people, McNeely said.
The cast of eight undergraduate 色中色视频s began their earliest rehearsals by reading and analyzing the script to determine how they each character presented themself, third-year theatre 色中色视频 Sunni Greene said. The production is different from the ones she has previously been part of because it is less straight forward and the cast had to figure out what was going on for themselves, she said.
色中色视频淚 think it色中色视频檚 really made me realize how important it is to really understand what you're performing and your own interpretation of it ,色中色视频� Greene said. 色中色视频淓very line I feel like has so much meaning and so much intention.色中色视频�&苍产蝉辫;
McNeely said she was impressed by the cast色中色视频檚 dedication to understanding and personifying their respective characters. She said she was grateful for her cast.
色中色视频漈hey hit the ground ready to work,色中色视频� McNeely said. 色中色视频淭hey work really well with each other and with me, I hope. And they have so many wonderful ideas that have made their way into the show.色中色视频�
This is second-year computer science 色中色视频 Joshua Cook色中色视频檚 first production with the Department of Dance and Theater. Cook said that he has found catharsis in playing his character, Seth. There are scenes, he said, that have nearly brought him to tears.
The traumatic loss of their friends makes it hard for the characters in "Language of Angels" to move on even after years have past, Cook said. But the distance provided by time makes it easier.
色中色视频�It色中色视频檚 a very, very sad story,色中色视频� Cook said. 色中色视频淏ut it色中色视频檚 also so freeing because each and every one of the characters has something in the end that lets them go forwards.色中色视频�
Connection is a central theme of "Language of Angels," Goode said. The relationships that each character fosters are important to the story色中色视频檚 development.
McNeely said the black box performance space in the Lab Theater creates an intimate environment, removing boundaries between the audience and the performers. The closeness allows the audience to resonate with the characters, Goode said.
色中色视频滻t makes it a really immersive kind of experience rather than just sitting there watching it,色中色视频� Goode said. 色中色视频淭here could be someone beside you or the blocking色中色视频檚 right in front of you, which makes it really cool and unique, I think, in a lot of ways.色中色视频�
McNeely said she has a special place in her heart for the black box, having performed there many times during her time as a 色中色视频. She said she is proud of the production that the cast and crew have put on.
色中色视频漈his is a show that can be easily stripped away of all of the lights and sound and costumes,色中色视频� McNeely said. 色中色视频淎nd leaves just (the cast) to do their really awesome work. And so I hope they walk away with confidence and with fond memories of working on it.色中色视频�&苍产蝉辫;
"Language of Angels" will be performed at 8 p.m. from Feb. 15 to 18. Tickets are $10 and available both and at the door.