After Staples Players director David Roth casts a show, he makes sure his actors understand their characters. Last fall, for example, everyone in “Guys and Dolls” wrote biographies, describing their character’s parents, hometown, childhood, economic status and other “personal” details.
Sounds like info you’d find on Facebook? Adam Mirkine thought the same thing.
Adam Mirkine (right) directs Max Samuels. (Photo by Kerry Long)
Adam is just a 9th grader, but this spring he’s co-assistant director of “Book of Days.” The production — which opens next week — is a challenging look at the clash between theater and religion. “Getting each person to actually be his character is key,” Adam says.
To help the process along, Adam asked each actor to create a Facebook account for his character — including information like marital status, interests and favorites.
Now anyone on Facebook can find — and friend — people like “Boyd Middleton,” “Ruth Hoch” and “Walt Bates.”
“The script has nothing about their favorite quotations, books, music, movies and TV shows,” Adam says. “But they know their characters so well, they fill in what they like.”
"Boyd Middleton"'s Facebook photo.
Some actors did even more. Matt Van Gessel plays director Boyd Middleton, so he took a professional-type picture for his profile. Jake Yarmoff’s photo of Conroy Atkins — a small-town sheriff — sports a cowboy hat.
“Sheriff Atkins” is particularly good at updating his status. The other day he wrote: “Conroy Atkins is alerting the residents of his hometown about the presence of a sex offender in the community.”
The fun project has helped bring the cast together, Adam says.
There’s only 1 problem: Staples’ internet filter blocks Facebook access. So any “Book of Days” cast member wishing to add a friend, change a relationship status or post a photo must do it at home.
(“The Book of Days” will be performed in the Staples Black Box Theater on May 13, 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m., and May 16 at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at www.StaplesPlayers.com, or at the door 30 minutes before curtain. For more information, call 203-341-1310.)
Bravo! Nice to see someone do a play from this century! Applaud Adam, stage center.
Nice job, Adam. Adam and Matt developed a Facebook page for Odysseus while his Staples English 1 class was studying The Odyssey.
It is good to see students finding applications that further learning and art where others just see time-wasting entertainment.
Anyone who can find a different approach to the Odyssey has my sincere blessings, graditute and admiration! Way to go Adam and Matt!
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