On Thursday, January 26 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., SNU’s Department of Cultural and Communication Studies will hold an open audition for the division’s production of Ayn Rand’s play Night of January 16th. Interested students will audition in Herrick room 10. Each audition will be comprised of a cold reading of the play’s script.
SNU’s production will be directed by Professor Mike Parker. The show is scheduled for March 23 and 24, with a repeat performance on April 25. There are parts for everyone who wishes to participate.
Sheila Stout, Cultural and Communication Studies department chair, expressed enthusiasm for the production. “It has been many years since we have had a non-musical theatrical production at SNU,” she said. “When professor Mike Parker begin talking about directing [a] play, we became very excited. We hope this is the first of more to come.”
Night of January 16th premiered on October 22, 1934 in Los Angeles under the same title. It centers on a woman, Karen Andre, on trial for the murder of her employer, Bjorn Faulkner. The play foregoes utilizing flashbacks to illustrate key events. Instead, the play uses character testimonies for the jury to make their verdict.
The production is unique in that it utilizes interactive elements. Near the beginning of the performance, a jury is selected from randomly chosen audience members.
When asked about the benefits of participating in a play, Senior Caleb Siems enthusiastically discussed how large of an impact the theater has had on his life.
Siems has participated in 3 musicals, 1 operetta, and 2 student shows during his time at SNU. When asked about the benefits of participating in a play, he enthusiastically detailed how large of an impact the theater has had on his life.
“Putting yourself out there and being vulnerable in a show is scary, but incredibly rewarding,” he said. “I have never regretted being in a show, because I meet so many amazing people I never would have interacted with otherwise.” He believes that performing in the theater has helped him grow as an individual.
Each student who participates in the play will receive credit for experience in play performance. The production is also seeking crew members to assist with backstage operations.
For more information about the upcoming play or the audition process, email Sheila Stout at sstout@snu.edu or Mike Parker at miparker@snu.edu.
Mike Vierow, Editor in chief
Mike Vierow is a senior studying Mass Communication. He enjoys watching movies, reading old dusty books and film photography.