CONSTELLATIONS

Every year at the University of Sioux Falls, senior Theater Studies majors must complete a final project in order to graduate. These final projects, often deemed “senior shows” by the USF theatre community, are chosen by the individual seniors and are meant to showcase everything they have learned during their collegiate education. Some projects include directing a show, acting in a show, writing a show, or all three, if the student so desires. For his final project, senior Theatre and Media Studies major Josh Werre decided to try his hand at directing a two-person, mind-bending show called Constellations.

Constellations is a one-act play by Nick Payne that explores scenarios and the different outcomes one little change could make. “Constellations follows the relationship between two individuals: Roland, who is a beekeeper, and Marianne, a physicist,” explained Werre. “The twist of the show is that it plays into the whole idea of parallel universes, so throughout the show, you see a bunch of different moments play out differently in different universes.” Werre said that he was drawn to the show because of its uniqueness. “When I was reading Constellations, one of the first stage directions it gives you is that each indentation in the script is a different universe, and that really piqued my interest. It was just something I had never seen in any other play that I read, so it seemed like a great challenge.”

One of the most important aspects of any live show is the performances. The actors tasked with bringing Werre’s directorial debut to life were senior students Riley Robinson and Laura Gerber. Robinson, who has been starring in USF shows since his freshman year, says Constellations was his first experience with a two-person show. “You’re on stage the entire time,” said Robinson. “Working with one person is a lot of fun because you really get to know not only your co-star’s character but your co-star as a person, as well. And,” he continued, “my mouth gets really dry.” Gerber, who made her USF-stage debut in last year’s The Addam’s Family, also found acting with just one other person to be the greatest challenge. “It’s a new experience,” stated Gerber. “It’s partially stressful but also really interesting at the same time because you’re really relying on your co-star and you two are the only things that are keeping the energy up in a show.”

Next to the actors, the director’s vision plays a huge role in prepping a show for audience consumption. While usually an actor, Werre ended up enjoying the directing process. “It’s a lot of fun to do a lot of the behind-the-scenes work and get a lot of the creative control and kind of start seeing my vision for the play come together. Plus, directing,” added Werre, “is a little less stressful than being on stage.” Constellations took place in the Jones Theater in the basement of Jeschke Auditorium, opening on February 9 and playing through the 11th. If you are interested in seeing more from the USF theater department, check out Once Upon a Mattress, a musical that will premiere on April 19 and play through April 22.

BY: BEN WOLLMUTH