As UNC students, bleeding Carolina blue at basketball games is essential to the Tar Heel identity. Screaming the alma mater and rushing Franklin Street after a big win are some of the long-honored traditions of the University.
But junior Connor Nielsen believes seeing a play on campus is just as important to the student experience.
Nielsen, a dramatic arts major, is currently making his professional acting debut in PlayMakers Repertory Company’s production of Molière’s “Tartuffe.” He is one of only three undergraduate students acting in the production, which is led by graduate students and industry professionals.
“It hasn’t been 100 percent easy. It’s been challenging just to keep up,” Nielsen said. “But it’s more inspiring than it is challenging, working with people who are at the top of their game or just up-and-coming.”
PlayMakers Repertory Company is the professional theatre company in residence at UNC. As a resident theatre company, it has a permanent company of professional actors and artisans who are involved in most or all of the shows over the course of the year, according to its website.
In order to get a feel for what undergraduate students can bring to productions, Nielsen said PlayMakers holds auditions a couple of times a year. He was cast in “Tartuffe” after attending an open call for the show.
“(PlayMakers makes) a really big effort to include undergrads in every part of the theatre. There are sound assistants, stage management and production assistants — everything — at every step of the way,” he said.
Justin Haslett, the managing director for PlayMakers Repertory Company, said providing opportunities for undergraduates in the professional productions is an essential part of their mission as a theatre company.
For “Tartuffe” specifically, Haslett said that one of the selling points of the show is the incredible cast and company. He said incorporating undergraduates in the show helps to bring in a more diverse audience.
“It changes the energy of ‘Tartuffe,’” he said. “It just really makes it look like a play that, I think, anybody could find some connection to just based on the people onstage.”
This production of the show has been adapted by David Ball to create a more modern feel for contemporary audiences. “Tartuffe” was originally written in 1664 by Molière, but with updated dialogue and a fresh take by director Saheem Ali, company member Kathryn Hunter-Williams said the show feels timeless. She said director Ali allowed the cast to bring elements of themselves to the production, which helps to make it feel more relatable.
Hunter-Williams also mentioned the demands the show places on its undergraduate students.
“I think for (the undergraduate actors), it must be invaluable to be in a room with a professional director and professional expectations,” she said. “It’s challenging, because they have to still keep up their schoolwork and homework and still be in rehearsals with us and do all those performances. So it’s challenging, but it’s always a delight.”
Despite the challenges that come with the show, Nielsen said working with PlayMakers Repertory Company has been a great experience.
“PlayMakers is a teaching hospital,” he said. “That’s what I think makes PlayMakers one of the best regional theatres in the country. It has had such a huge impact on my college experience.”
COVER IMAGE CREDIT: HuthPhoto, actors Ray Dooley and Joey Collins
“Tartuffe” is running through March 11 at PlayMakers Repertory Company. Tickets can be bought online or through the box office at 919-962-7529.
@KarenPStahl
