By Elaine Bonilla/se news editor
The SE Campus drama program presents its final fall production Almost, Maine, written by John Cariani.
The romantic comedy tells the story of a town so small it almost isn’t and the effects of the Northern Lights on the love lives of Almost’s residents one Friday night.
The audience can enjoy nine stories of couples falling in, out and over love.
The play is a series of scenes that include real and surreal elements.
“It’s all a Northern Lights moment,” director Megan Haratine said, “something beyond explanation, for better or worse.”
The two-act play is a partially student-directed play with SE student Sarah Ford directing the first act and Haratine directing the second.
Haratine said students followed an application process to become a director that included an essay and an interview.
“This process helped to weed out the students,” she said. “Depending on how it turns out in the end will determine whether there will be another student director in the future.”
Haratine said it’s a good opportunity for an extended education as students step on the other side and take the leadership role.
“It’s my first time officially directing,” Ford said. “I have directed some scenes in class, but that was about it.”
Ford said she really wanted to be in the performance and, after talking with Haratine and speech and drama associate professor Pert Durapau, was given the chance to take on the role of Marci in the second act.
“Directing is more than meets the eye,” she said. “You have to think about every technical aspect plus the acting, sets and costumes.”
Steve and Man are performed by Ryan Kerbow who said he likes the younger, fresher take brought by having a student director.
“It would’ve been cool if she could’ve taken part in the casting process,” said Theresa Carter, who plays Sandrine and Hope. “She makes it look so easy.”
Savanna Zambrana is taking on the roles of Ginette and Marvalyn, two characters who find themselves falling in love. Her first acquaintance with the play came when her high school performed it, but she wasn’t in it.
“It’s funny, quirky and awkward,” she said. “It’s almost like the characters are experiencing a puppy love because they’re young, and there’s innocence to it.”
Carter said she likes how each scene has its own magic moment.
“It all takes place at once and shows how they fall in and out of love and how they deal with it,” said Jonah Munroe, who plays the characters Jimmy and Phil, who both experience falling out of love. “I’m glad I got to be in this play. The cast members have a really good chemistry with each other.”
Nate Davis plays East and Chad.
“Actors need to embody their characters, and this play helps to dissect characters,” he said. “There is so much to dive into with the characters because you have to convey the magical happenings.”
Davis feels a connection with East because they both are willing to help others and try to make things better for people, which can sometimes get people into a little trouble, he said.
The production runs at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20-23 with a 1:30 p.m. matinee Nov. 22 in the C.A. Roberson Theatre.
Admission is free for TCC students, faculty and staff, $3 for non-TCC students and senior citizens and $6 for the general public. To make reservations, call the box office at 817-515-3599.
