DRAMAT
Over the course of winter term, nine student-run productions were performed in Fisher Theater’s black box. They were organized by DRAMAT, a club that offers Exonians a creative opportunity to act in, direct and produce plays.
Each show varied widely in style and content. From comedies such as “Super Dead Man” directed by lower Isabella Abate to more serious dramas such as “Shut Up” directed by upper Nada Zohayr, DRAMAT had a successful winter term.
Co-head and senior Caroline Sullivan enjoyed the plethora of productions. “‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead,’ directed by [senior] Eric Regis, was sort of weird and crazy, but it was really funny,” she said. Sullivan also commended “The Office,” a skit directed by upper Tavo Santos that recreated iconic scenes from the TV show, which yielded many laughs.
“My favorite part about working on the board is everything from our wacky group chat to five hour audition days to opening nights of incredible shows.”
In addition to crowd-favorite comedies, DRAMAT also breached powerfully somber topics. Sullivan acknowledged Emily Green’s “Voices of Syria.” “It’s cool that she was able to use DRAMAT as a way to send a message about something important,” she said.
Lower Jacqui Byrne agreed with Sullivan. “I think it is also important that we do real presentations and real monologues addressing current events. I really hope that [“Voices of Syria”] raised a lot of awareness on campus on what it’s like to be a refugee,” she said.
Unlike the three term productions that go up on Fisher Theater’s mainstage, DRAMAT shows are significantly shorter and performed in the black box. Lower Abigail Waite enjoys attending the performances on the weekends and sees it as a way to relax and support her friends. “Even though I originally went to DRAMAT to watch my friends, I really enjoyed all of the different shows I watched,” she said.
Upper Raul Galvan acted in “What is a Photocopier?” directed by upper Miguel Perez. “It was a hilarious, real court proceeding where a witness doesn’t know what a photocopy machine is. It’s always the comedy plays that fill up the seats, and generally those are well-received,” Galvan said. “Harkness Society,” a comedy written by Majestic Terhune, earned a standing ovation.
Byrne attributed the term’s success to the DRAMAT board. “The board helped with acting and giving pointers. Seeing other student actors is something really important to me. They really help you improve your play and acting and tell you things you might not even notice you were doing,” she said.
With so many shows set for winter term, each director got to watch a wide range of actors at auditions. “We got to cast a lot of people—old faces and new faces. I hope we’ll get to meet and cast more people next term,” Sullivan said.
Board member and senior Ruby Fludzinski has been a part of DRAMAT during all four years at Exeter. “My favorite part about working on the board is everything from our wacky group chat to five hour audition days to opening nights of incredible shows,” she said.
DRAMAT is versatile—anyone on campus has the opportunity to act, direct or partake in both. Sullivan switched from her usual role as actor to director in the recent production of “Clerks,” a show based off of the comedy-drama film. Being on the other side of creating a production was rewarding for her. “I got to work with my actors and ask them questions about their roles. They contributed a lot to the process during rehearsals, including suggestions for scenes and lighting. It was so worth it—seeing it all come together, getting better each time we did it,” Sullivan said.
The DRAMAT board plans to release director applications in the upcoming weeks. The board has already begun working on spring term projects. “Carnage,” directed by seniors Annie Ning and Fedja Čelebić, is expected to open in early spring term and “Macbeth,” directed by Fludzinski, will be opening May 5.
Board member and upper Nolan Peacock loves the creative independence of DRAMAT. “DRAMAT gives students the opportunity to act, to direct or to produce a show all on their own. There’s no faculty guidance. We have to do it ourselves, and that is the best thing about it. We have complete and total freedom.”