Temple Theaters’
Spring Awakening
in pictures
This semester, Temple Theaters is presenting its first live production since the COVID-19 pandemic began, a staging of the hit coming-of-age musical Spring Awakening.
Based on a play by German playwright Frank Wedekind and set in the late 19th century, the rock musical chronicles the experiences of a group of teenagers who feel stifled by a society that understands little about them and cares even less.
Hear from Megan O’Brien Perri, director and adjunct assistant professor at the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts, about how the cast and crew brought the musical to life and follow the production from when the sets were built to opening night.
The orchestra in rehearsal.
The orchestra in rehearsal.
“One of the things that I’m always asking myself when I start a project is why should this story be told now? I feel so much of the show is about silencing people who need to be heard and that feels very appropriate for what is going on in our world right now.”
“I felt pretty emotional the first time I heard them all sing together. That was the first time in a very long time I’ve been in a room where there’s been a group of people singing and that was something I used to experience all the time.”
The audio and costume departments collaborated to create microphones and face masks specifically designed to make it easier for the performers to sing while wearing masks.
“I’ve definitely enjoyed being back in the room with the creative team and the students. It’s just a really wonderful group of artists that I get to work with. And it’s exciting for us to start with a fairly basic idea of the show and watch it grow into something that’s more complex and fully fleshed out.”
“Being silenced and oppressed is something that is very prevalent within the story. Also the underestimation of people who are younger and what they can handle and what ideas they have. One of the reasons I like working at a university is because I find it really exciting that people this age really know what they want to do and are excited about getting out into the world and moving the world forward.”
“I hope that audiences will leave asking a lot of questions and starting conversations about some of the themes within the show. One of the beautiful things about theater is that you’re in the same room with the people that are performing for you. And it’s a lot harder to ignore the humanity of a person when they’re right in front of you.”
See the full interview with Megan O'Brien Perri:
Spring Awakening runs through Oct. 24 at Tomlinson Theater. See showtimes and ticket information.
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