A few years in the future, somewhere in the United States
cast and crew
cast
W ........................................................................................ Sarah Loster
M ................................................................................. Matthew Corgiat
production and design team
Director........................................................................ Marielle Shiring
Stage Manager................................................................... PJ Hebbring
Technical Director ............................................................. Ali Koclanis
Costume Designer ..................................................... Becca Robertson
Run Crew ..................................................................... Jessie Skonesey
In a world full of anxiety, terrorism, global warming, and political unrest, a couple debates whether or not they should have a child. They are running out of time to do so, but they want to make sure they are doing it for the right reasons. However, what are the right reasons? If they rush into it they may make the wrong decision, but if they overthink it they will never come to a decision. Lungs grapples with questions of family and change, hope, betrayal, happenstance, and the terrible pain that can only be caused by the people you love.
LUNGS is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. (www.dramatists.com)
“When we have kids –” Pause… Hold… “Wait what?”
That was my reaction when my boyfriend first brought up the unavoidable topic: children. Looking back, I shouldn’t have been surprised, yet something about this conversation still caught me off-guard. This topic was one I have always been confident in so why was I so taken aback? Ever since I was given my first baby doll I knew that children and motherhood were destined to be a part of my future. The idea of caring for a tiny, innocent, and delicate human being stuck in my heart and has never left. However, the moment I was faced with the reality that this is a very possible future for myself, something else stirred in me. I didn’t know what that was at that moment, but then this little play, Lungs, came into my life and taught me that exactly what I was feeling could simply be boiled down to one word: fear.
What do I fear about children? To boil it down, I fear the unknown. Our world is full of uncertainty and this poses the immense question: is bringing a child into this world the morally and ethically correct decision? Is it the right thing to do? I don’t have an answer to this question and I never will, but that is the whole point of Lungs; it forces me to not only think about my wants but my motivations and reasons behind them.
Though my thoughts and opinions practically change daily now, my truth has never changed: I want children. You may ask… why? What is the big secret and meaning behind the desire for children? Unfortunately, I can’t give you an answer. All I know is that it’s there, it’s real, and it’s valid. As W says in the show “this isn’t very feminist of me” but when asked: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” This is the one simple answer I have for you:
A mom.
Marielle ShiringSarah Loster (W): Sarah is a sophomore Theatre Performance major with a minor in Costume Design and Secondary Education. This is Sarah’s first studio production and her second production at Carthage. Sarah would like to thank her Mom for always being there to support her.
Matthew Corgiat (M): Matthew is a sophomore Theatre Performance major with a Psychology minor. This is his second performance role at Carthage, having previously acted in BIG GUNS by Nina Segal. He is extremely excited about this performance, and he would like to thank the production team and cast for their positivity throughout the production.
production team biographies
Marielle Shiring (Director) (she/her/hers): Marielle is a senior double major in Arts Administration and Theatre with a minor in English and is so excited to be sharing the story of LUNGS in her directorial debut! Favorite roles at Carthage include Deb in ORDINARY DAYS, Beth in LITTLE WOMEN, and Marianne in CONSTELLATIONS. Professional credits: Ensemble in A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER (Hope Repertory Theatre) and Chorus in THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (Capital City Theatre). Marielle also served as an Administrative Intern at Hope Repertory Theatre this past summer and as the Administrative Assistant for the Kennedy Center College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) in 2021 and 2022. Upcoming: Ensemble and U/S Winnie Foster in TUCK EVERLASTING at Hope Repertory Theatre. Marielle would like to thank her family, mentors, friends, boyfriend, and of course the cast and crew for all of their hard work to put on this beautiful and thought provoking show! IG: marielle.shiring
Paige “PJ” Hebbring (Stage Manager) (she/her/hers): Paige (or PJ) is a freshman Theatre Major and a double minor in education and English. After her first college performance in ANTIGONE, she is thrilled to dabble in her first college tech experience. She would like to thank her family and partner Colin Krauter for the endless support, all her friends for putting up with her late nights and busy schedule, and most importantly, the cast and crew for all the great and hard work they put in. She hopes you enjoy the show.
Becca Robertson (Costume Designer): Becca Robertson is a senior Music Theatre major. Previous roles here at Carthage include Olympe De Gouge in THE REVOLUTIONISTS, Loud Stone in EURYDICE, Cassie in MEMENTO MORI, and Claire/Old Capulet in ROMEO AND JULIET WALK INTO A BAR. Becca is also an elder of the Merely Players Improv Group here.
Becca will be playing Paulette in Carthage’s upcoming production of Legally Blonde this April. Becca has previously costumed designed SEUSSICAL at the Raue Center For The Arts, and is thrilled to be working on this production!
Jessie Skonesey (Run Crew): Jessica Skonesey is a freshman Theatre Performance Major with a minor in French. Her roles at Carthage include ANTIGONE as Antigone, and FML: HOW CARSON MCCULLERS SAVED MY LIFE as Ms.Delaney. This is her first time working behind the scenes at Carthage and she is so excited to be a part of the production!