Summer is over, but for certain students in the School of Theater, break has just begun.
Summer is over, but for certain students in the School of Theater, break has just begun.
Comprising the majority of a 37-person company, several School of Theater students traveled to Cape Cod this summer to perform at the Monomoy Theatre for its 56th annual summer stock season. In 12 weeks, the company put on eight shows, with only two weeks of rehearsal for each production.
“It was kind of like Project Runway,” said Ryan Holihan, a second-year master of fine arts directing candidate. “They do a wedding gown in 18 hours, which seems impossible, but … you can do it. What you can create in a short amount of time is amazing.”
More than half a century ago, Elizabeth Baker, wife of Ohio University then-President John Baker, purchased the property in Massachusetts so students could have a summer theater. Now the university leases the property from the Baker family for its “theater boot camp.”
“They rehearse one show in the morning, have lunch, rehearse a second show in the afternoon, have dinner and then perform a third show in the evening,” said Dennis Delaney, head of the professional director training program.
This season’s lineup included The King and I, Hay Fever and Death of a Salesman — material that Alan Rust, the artistic director at Monomoy for 35 years, said they could only do because of the kind of audience the program has at Cape Cod.
Rust went to Monomoy as an OU student back in 1972. He remembered the experience being grueling but extremely rewarding — something that he said had a profound impact on his education.
Part of that impact comes from the Actors’ Equity Association’s guest actors and directors who are brought in to work with students.
“You learn how you want to work or how you don’t want to work from them,” said Thomas Daniels, a second-year master of fine arts acting candidate. “You study how they prepare, rehearse and perform.”
Delaney said the faculty strongly urges students to go, but it is not required to attend Monomoy. Auditions are held for every actor, and stage managers, designers and directors interview for the opportunity.
OU does not pay for the entire experience. Students must pay any travel expenses, but all their meals and housing are provided. They are also paid a stipend and receive 18 credit hours for their work during the summer.
Although they might be exhausted after working almost nonstop all summer, many members of the company look back on the hectic summer with fondness.
“This summer has been the toughest summer I’ve had as an actor, but without a doubt, the most rewarding,” said Andy Haftkowycz, a senior studying performance.
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