Exonians Prepare Production “Open The Gate”

By: Chengyue Zhang, Lauren Kim

This spring term, with the ricochet of squash balls and the clatter of rackets gone until next winter, it appears that the indoor squash courts have been put to another use by Academy students. Among the four indoor squash courts, each cubicle portrays a realistic panorama of student life; a window into an Exonian’s daily routines. As animated projections dance on the white walls, the courts are lit up with muted blues and neon purples, with bright spotlights scanning the entire room. With decor ranging from laden beds inspired by dorm rooms, to a flowered garden furnished with benches, this gorgeous display is actually the set of a new student production, titled “OPEN THE GATE.”

OPEN THE GATE is a devised theater piece originally set to open on May 13. Due to resurgence of Covid on campus, it is postponed and tentatively rescheduled for Friday May 20 and Saturday May 21. Centering around the experiences of Exonians, this production aims to amplify student voices in a unique setting. The production allows students to have greater autonomy over the writing, stage tech, and creative processes, while being directed by two faculty advisors: English instructor Dr. Sahar Ullah and Theater instructor Blythe de Oliveira Foster. The cast consists of a diverse range of students hailing from different grades and backgrounds. Although the cast initially had disagreements regarding the plotline and direction of the production, the production is currently well-prepared to open its doors to the community this coming Friday. 

Being a piece of devised theater, OPEN THE GATE PEA presents a range of Exeter experiences to the audience. “The students came into our class not having a script nor knowing what the show was going to look like or be about. Every class, we created and collaborated and built pieces of the play which our community will soon witness and experience - created by, for, and about our experiences as Exonians,” Ullah and de Oliveira Foster explained.

The decision to stage the production in the Squash Court was also an unique one. “Imagining possibilities for the Spring play, we thought about students here at Exeter who have important things to say and about spaces on campus where they might reach folks who don’t already hang out at the theater,” Ullah and de Oliveira Foster continued. “Ms. Carbonell suggested the gym and the theatricality of the squash courts. Many of us didn’t initially feel particularly comfortable in the gym – definitely a story or two there! And yet, when we started asking around, the Athletics Department warmly opened their doors to us and invited us in. And we’re here! Spring Squash Team.”

“The audience moves from one squash court to the next, to the next to the next. There's a distinct tone shift between each one without losing the main thread of the story, which I think is super, super special,” upper and performer Adalie Burton said. “We all will absolutely love the show in the squash courts or not, but I think that it being in the squash cord kind of forced us to think outside the box and interact with this idea of performing in a space that we're not maybe very comfortable in yet. ” 

Although OPEN THE GATE does not have a traditionally cohesive plotline, the common Exeter experience ties the show together, and allows the audience to grasp the meaning. “[The cast] all look at the school very differently but also go through a lot of the same things. I think that's where we got a lot of inspiration from. Then it branched off into our different lives and how each of us bring [our experiences] with us to everything that we do at Exeter. I think what the show really is about is our different lives and how we intersect at Exeter,” Burton summarized.

Despite some uncertainty when devising the unique production, the performers are proud of the work created thus far. 

Senior and performer Emily Wang said, “I think we struggled a lot in finding a sense of direction or a cohesive theme, and there were some tensions within the group. However, now that we have a solid script and are just working on getting small things right, everything is pretty good and I am really proud of what we have created.”

“It is like a very interesting, very experimental piece that consists of deep monologues and reflections of students. It is very different because of the fact that we were the creators of it. We had so much freedom while creating it,” senior and actor Dada Grochalova added on.

In the early days of rehearsal, the student actors are given themes and writing prompts to come up with one minute monologue or short scenes, and then these monologues and scenes are combined. “This process inspired us to collaborate and sort of give up for creative control, but also just be willing to let our specific stories combine with someone else's,” Burton reflected.

Wang reflects on the speech she wrote regarding her feelings towards the Academy, and how the production enabled her to be honest with her perspective. 

“I was able to share a lot of my thoughts either through monologues or group scenes,” Wang said. “I think this production is a really good space and opportunity for me to channel my energy and emotions. I got to write a speech about why I hate this school, which felt really good.”

Many actors find themselves excited for the unique set design and costumes. Upper and performer Alysha Lai said, “the set and costumes sound really cool. We all get to wear jumpsuits and then they’re dyed different neon colors. We all have an assigned color, we get sneakers and make them personalized.” 

“And, the set is totally unique with the squash courts,” Lai continued. “There’s a lot of really cool ideas as well. We will have the audience sitting in the bleachers and every act they move to a different court.”

Similarly, the directors are proud of the work the cast has put in. “Considering how we began with only themes, writing prompts, concepts, and movement work in March — and seeing how far we have now come in May — it’s been wonderfully satisfying. The biggest challenge we faced was asking our students to trust us to guide them through a process in which we also did not know what the play would be about or look like.” Ullah and de Oliveira Foster said.

“To quote one of the lines from the play—written entirely by our students — ‘We learned how to hate, love and forgive.’ After getting over the most challenging moments of frustration, we came together as collaborators to create a play that makes transparent and tells the story of that process. And we are so proud,” Ullah and de Oliveira Foster said.

Lai added on, “I'm proud that we actually have a play written because for a while it felt like we wouldn't have something. And then one day, it suddenly all came together and I'm quite proud of everything we've accomplished because the story and the play itself is quite special.”

“What motivated me to join such a special show is the fact that it is so motivated by identity and each of our individual problems, but also how we all are able to disagree and still love each other. My biggest hope for the show coming in was that it would be something really special that you couldn't recreate anywhere else, and I think that we've definitely done that.” Burton said. 

Ullah and de Oliveira Foster encourage students to attend the play’s opening, and to appreciate the hard work performers and tech crew have put into the production. 

“Come to the show!” Ullah and de Oliveira Foster said. “Get your tickets! Seating is limited! Shout out to tech! Big shout out to stage management! And have a great day.”