DRAMAT Shows Off

DRAMAT, Exeter’s student-run theatre company, presented two shows in multiple parts this past weekend. The first, directed by upper Sam Gove, was an adaptation of Bang, Bang, You’re Dead, the story of a boy haunted by the memories of the people he killed. The second, directed by lower Paula Perez-Glassner, was two vignettes from “Almost, Maine,” a romance-themed play set in a small rural town.

Perez-Glassner explained her show.  “Each scene centers around a general theme of falling in or out of love and includes elements of magical realism,” she said. “I’ve really enjoyed directing this show!” The actors, lowers Aiwen Desai and Elizabeth Dentzer and uppers Jack Stewart and Pavan Garidipuri, worked hard to bring their scripts to life, according to Perez-Glassner. “They always are quick to pick up notes I give them and have worked with me on creating their characters and making the scene look natural,” she said. For their part, the actors lauded Perez-Glassner’s direction throughout the show and rehearsals. “[She] was very thorough and helpful in the process of understanding the characters and the scene’s dynamic,” Garidipuri said. Desai agreed, saying, “All the people involved, from directors to cast mates to the DRAMAT board, are so enthusiastic about the show and theater in general, which has made the rehearsal process wonderful to be a part of.”

“All the people involved, from directors to cast mates to the DRAMAT board, are so enthusiastic about the show and theater in general, which has made the rehearsal process wonderful to be a part of.”

For Garidipuri, DRAMAT was a way to continue a long-standing passion for theatre. “Coming to Exeter as a new upper, DRAMAT felt like the perfect fit to improve my acting skills and get familiar with the procedure,” he explained. Desai also enjoyed working with the student-driven theatre group. “I’m a new lower this year, so I haven’t participated in any other shows at Exeter yet, but I hope to be in many more while I am here!” Desai said.

The other show, Bang, Bang, You’re Dead, was a directing debut for Gove. “I chose Bang, Bang because I think it had a really important message that was shown in a way most people wouldn’t expect,” Gove said. She credits her actors with the success of the play, saying, “The actors were great, they improved so much over just four rehearsals and really brought the play to life—I owe it all to them.”

Likewise, the actors praised their director. “Sam was very patient with us and our mistakes, so I’m thankful for that,” upper Alex Swett said. “I have never been in a play before, and I’m glad I tried something new.”

Senior and DRAMAT board member Jacqui Byrne oversaw both productions and attended both shows. She was delighted with each performance and remarked on the skill of Gove’s cast. “I was really happy with Bang, Bang, You’re Dead because they improved so much from the review.” She also gave insight into her upcoming production of Heathers the Musical. “Heathers has been such a fun process so far, it’s a lot of work but the cast is so brilliant,” Byrne said.  “I am very happy to have such a great co-director in Mila and music director in Sophia Zu.  It goes up in the early spring and we are so excited for everyone to see it!”

As DRAMAT completes the first of its many performances, senior and co-head Teddy Scott shares how his personal history with the club drives his vision for the rest of the year. “I love dramat, and hopefully without sounding cliché, it’s been a special part of my Exeter experience,” Scott said.  “My hope for dramat is that I can open that opportunity and share my experience with as many people as possible—athletes, theater kids, STEM kids—and give them a place where those labels don’t define them.”

Beginning October twenty-second, DRAMAT will present an adaptation of “King Richard the Third”, directed by Louisa Bartkovich. She said that the scene to look out for will be when the Duchess of York is trying to persuade her husband not to inform on the king’s son. “I am taking on a more humorous approach to the scene, and you will have to come watch it to find out what it is!” Bartkovich said.