Theatre

By Elmer Rice and Generative AI Systems

Adapted and Directed by Ryan Guzzo Purcell

Presented in association with the Seattle University Theatre Program at the Lee Center for the Arts
September 12-October 6, 2024

Zero loses their job to a machine, so they kill their boss. They are then sent on a hallucinatory journey through internet culture, the legal system, the underworld, and the future as they struggle to understand their value.

Written one hundred years ago by Elmer Rice, The Adding Machine is an absurdist parable about automation, labor, exploitation, and the search for meaning. A century later, The Feast is reinventing this classic work in a new age of mechanical evolution as artificial intelligence encroaches on creative work.

In this multimedia theatre event, both humans and AIs will write, act, direct, and design the play in real-time, creating a revolutionary work of “cyborg theatre.” Can the robots help us fall in love? Feel the divine? See beauty? Defy your boss, your patriarch, your keeper, and find out.

The Secret in the Wings by Mary Zimmerman

Directed by Johamy Morales

Mary Zimmerman's The Secret in the Wings adapts a group of lesser-known fairy tales to create a theatrical work that sets their dark mystery against her signature wit and humor. The framing story concerns a child and the frightening babysitter with whom her parents leave her. As the babysitter reads from a book, the characters in each of the tales materialize, with each tale breaking off just at its bleakest moment before giving way to the next one.

Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet

Directed by Brennan Murphy

Glengarry Glen Ross, written in 1982 by David Mamet, tells the story of a group of cutthroat real estate salespeople who scheme and connive for a piece of the action, a brand-new Cadillac. The seven characters in the play are wheelers and dealers who stop at nothing for this piece of the action. The play takes place in Chicago over the course of a few days.

The New York Times wrote the following when the play opened on Broadway: “Who needs caffeine when you’ve got Glengarry Glen Ross? …David Mamet’s play about a dog-eat-dog real estate office in Chicago feels like having espresso pumped directly into your bloodstream…. Mr. Mamet hears American scheming with an exactitude and delight still unsurpassed by any other dramatist.”

Hookman by Lauren Yee

Directed by Sunam Ellis

Freshman year at college is hard when your roommate is weird, you’re feeling homesick, and a hook-handed serial killer is slashing girls’ throats. But if Lexi can overcome what happened to her high school best friend on that car ride to the movies, everything will be okay. In this existential slasher comedy, Lexi and her friends learn what it means to grow up – and it’s not pretty.

Nora: A Doll’s House by Stef Smith

Directed by Janet Hayatshahi

A modern re-telling of a classic tale. In the classic 1879 A Doll’s House, written by Henrik Ibsen, Nora does the unthinkable and leaves her husband and three children. In this new adaptation by Stef Smith three different Noras, set in three different time periods (1918, 1968, and 2018), contemplate their options during eras when radical shifts were taking place in women's rights. Ultimately, we are left to wonder whether these Noras have any more agency over their lives than did their predecessor.

Being a theatre major at Seattle University is continuously exciting and stimulating because there are countless hands-on opportunities that allow for a diverse and enriching experience that creates passionate and inspired students ready to tackle the real world. As we worked on the mainstage production, You on the Moors Now, we talked to two students working on the show, gaining hands-on, real-world experience in two different areas of the theatrical world.

You on The Moors Now, written by Jaclyn Backhaus and directed by Erin Murray, is a contemporary reimagining of the heroine’s journey, taking a spin on iconic 19th-century works from Jane Austen, Louisa May Alcott, and the Brontë sisters. We talked to actress Kimberly Le, in the iconic role of Cathy from Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, and to the scenic designer of the show, student Adrian Alonzo Padilla.

Kimberly was a first-year student working on her second mainstage production. In the fall prior, she acted in our mainstage production, The Conduct of Life, a play by M. Irene Fornes, an intense one-act play with a cast of only five actors. This quarter, she played the character Cathy from Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights in the play You on the Moors Now.

Determining how to play a character from a beloved and iconic 19th century novel can be quite daunting, and Kimberly has experienced the ups and downs of finding out how to bring the part to life. On the character, Kimberly notes that she has enjoyed “figuring out the ‘voice’ or personality” of Cathy and exploring her mannerisms.

“She’s very spirited and resilient,” Kimberly said, “but can be a bit impulsive and hotheaded.”

Kimberly found the initial introduction to this character the most challenging. “I was unfamiliar with her story,” she said, “but it’s been an amazing journey so far, and I learn something new about her every day.”

Working in such a large cast has been the highlight of this production, for Kimberly. She values the opportunity to work with this group of people whom she said are, “incredibly talented and dedicated.”

“Simply being able to be a part of this play is already an honor,” said Kimberly, “but I am extremely grateful for the connections and friendships I’ve made along the way.”

In reflecting on her time so far in the department and since working on the fall production, Kimberly says she sees the growth she has made in only a short time. Being able to work on a drama in the fall, and now a comedy this quarter, has allowed for her to learn and change. Kimberly hopes to continue acting at Seattle University in her remaining years, as this was a major factor in her decision to major in theatre.

“However,” she said, “if there is one domain, I would love to pursue, it is definitely directing.”

She planned to assistant-direct or direct a show before her time came to a finish at Seattle University. Kimberly has a passion for mystery and detective novels and would love to work on a piece of writing by Agatha Christie at some point in her life.

“Something about it is captivating” she said, “and playing with the idea of constant uncertainty is a realm I’m interested in.”

Adrian, who was finishing his last year at Seattle University, spent his time in the Performing Arts and Arts Leadership department as both an artist and an actor. He had the opportunity to be the scenic designer for You On The Moors Now. On talking of his experience designing this show, he expressed how the process had been quite tedious, especially to begin, as he had to go through multiple ideas before compromises and decisions were made.

“But that’s the point” he said, “that’s the process of design. Some ideas fail, and some ideas go on to live a full life in the run of a show. That being said, seeing a string of ideas come into fruition by way of a set is incredibly satisfying to watch.”

But with failure comes success, and Adrian has experienced the support that comes from working with our faculty during this process.

“Working on Moors specifically” he said, “has been wonderful because of how many opportunities I’ve had to learn throughout the process. Every conversation with the director, fellow designers, my mentor, has led to another lesson about the work. That, and working with Isabella Rivera on the paint has been fantastic.” Bella Rivera is a third-year theatre and psychology double major who works as a scenic painter in our scenic shop and also has acted in many productions during her time here.

Coming to Seattle University, Adrian had no intention of continuing theatre after high school. It was the work and encouragement from Rosa Joshi, (former department chair), who inspired his return to the stage. Now, as he finished his last year, he hoped to continue theatrical design in the future, as well as exploring other areas of the theatrical world.

Upon reflection on his time at Seattle University and in the Performing Arts department, Adrian advises:

“Don’t become attached to your ideas. You’ll have a million ideas, let some of them move on to greener pastures.”