Written by Kenzie James \/\/ Photo by Macy Cox<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Harding Theatre Department performed \u201cThe Importance of Being Earnest\u201d Feb. 8-10 and 15-17. Director C. Robin Miller said the show has an important role in the history of Harding theatre, which contributed to why it was chosen to be a part of the 2023- 2024 season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Theatre Department has been a part of Harding since the University was founded, and \u201cThe Importance of Being Earnest\u201d was the first production they performed. The encore of the play this year honored the Centennial year celebrations, but the cast and crew also brought some changes to the show. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe big thing, is we\u2019ve got Dr. Michael Claxton from the Department of English to write some additional introductory material that we\u2019re using as part of the show, and that\u2019s going to be very fun,\u201d Miller said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Miller also described how the monologues Claxton wrote for the character Oscar Wilde use many of Wilde\u2019s own words from quotes throughout his life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The added monologues are used to help cover transitions throughout the show, stage manager Sully Hickman said. This is partly due to the adjustment of being in the Ulrey Performing Arts Center compared to the Benson Auditorium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senior Janie Shasteen, who plays the role of Gwendolyn, was previously Mary Poppins in the 2023 Homecoming musical. She explained how she also felt the adjustment between the two stages and said it was difficult for her not to fall back into old habits from playing Mary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilde\u2019s comedy has plenty of scripted laughs for the audience, but both Hickman and Shasteen reflected that their favorite moments were the unscripted laughs among cast and crew. Hickman described the first read-through and how the script surprised them as they read it, \u201cvery much discovering the show as it unfolds.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy favorite memories have been [when] something unexpected happens and someone breaks character and we\u2019re all trying to get through a scene but we\u2019re all laughing,\u201d Shasteen said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rehearsals for \u201cThe Importance of Being Earnest\u201d started mid-November, so when opening night finally came, the cast and crew were ready for an audience to see the play. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe art of theatre is incomplete without an audience,\u201d Hickman said. \u201cWe have to have an audience there to see it. We can do theatre by ourselves, that\u2019s what a rehearsal is, but it\u2019s not the same.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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