Aspiring theatre artists at Brock are mining the complexity\u00a0of human experience in an original production premiering at the Marilyn I. Walker Theatre.<\/p>\n
Mementos<\/em>, a new play conceived and created by students in DART 4D56 Collaborative Play Development, is the result of a year-long creative exploration into the world theatre-making from the initial inspiration to final presentation.<\/p>\n Through fragmented storytelling that builds a wider narrative arc, Mementos<\/em> captures the beauty \u2014 and ugliness \u2014 of what it means to be human. Audiences take on an active role of \u201conlooker\u201d as pieces of character\u2019s lives, full of love, loss and uncertainty, unfold on stage.<\/p>\n DART 4D56 gives students the opportunity to develop their artistic voices, showcase their work and gain knowledge from industry professionals by taking on the roles of a small theatre company. The ensemble, Peregrine Theatre Co., is comprised of seven students each contributing to the final production in creative and technical ways.<\/p>\n Fourth-year student Megan Mastantuono, Mementos<\/em> Associate Director and Head of Wardrobe, said working with a small company meant collaboration was key.<\/p>\n \u201cAs an ensemble, we\u2019ve done a lot of writing together to create the final play. Through writing different pieces of the production, I have discovered new things about myself. It is an emotionally charged show for all of us,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Fourth-year student Maddox Keller, Peregrine Theatre Co.\u2019s Head of Sound Design who also performs and leads the ensembles marketing and promotion, said his most valuable takeaway is embracing the idea that developing artistic work is never finished.<\/p>\n \u201cNo matter how you slice it, your first draft will never be the complete product. Things will change, things will get cut, things won\u2019t always work on the first try \u2014 and that\u2019s OK. The work will continue to grow and develop because of these stumbles,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The first iteration of Mementos<\/em> was shown in November at Brock\u2019s Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MIWSFPA) under a different name: Picking Up the Pieces<\/em>. The first draft of the script was created using a variety of devising experiments and exercises, challenging the cast to create material based on personal experience and interests.<\/p>\n Mementos<\/em> explores themes from Picking Up the Pieces<\/em>, such as loss and societal commentary, refining and expanding ideas to create an immersive and impactful performance for audiences.<\/p>\n Fourth-year student Oliver Webb Wilkinson \u2014 Mementos\u2019<\/em> Costume Designer, Performer, Scripter and Graphic Designer \u2014 reflected on how working on the show has impacted the group\u2019s artistic development.<\/p>\n \u201cMementos<\/em> is a big experiment for all of us. Through nonlinear storytelling we examine human connection, the balance of hope and existential worry, and what we carry with us from our pasts,” he said. “I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished thus far as a company, and I can’t wait for folks to see it.”<\/p>\n