Date and time of event: Monday February 16, 7:30 pm, 2015
Location of Event: Tustin Studio Theatre
Type of Event: Department of Theatre and Dance Student Directed Play
1.) Provide a brief detail-oriented technical description or summary of the event you attended. (This section should remain journalistic and should not be reflective of your opinion.
The Department of Theatre and Dance presented the play Dead Man’s Cell Phone by Sarah Ruhl, and was directed by a Bucknell Student for his honors thesis as a theatre major John Brunner, ’15. This two hour show was performed by a small cast Bucknell students with a simple yet effective set design. Dead Man’s Cell Phone explored the relationship with modern technology’s ability to bring together and also isolate people in today’s digital, fast-paced and always distracted age.
2.) Use the section below to write a well-structured paragraph focusing on your personal critical insight / response to the event. How did you interpret or react to what was presented to you?
I very much enjoyed attending this performance. The director, John Brunner ’15 is a close friend to me and fellow French TA and French major, and I spent last spring speaking with him about this performance and his plans/goals as a director. After watching this performance yesterday evening, I was proud to see his ambitions to come into fruition in a clear and thoughtful manner, and that the overall show ran very smoothly. My own thesis for my Studio Art project has shared some of the main themes covered in this piece, specifically the presence/absence of the cell phone and modern day technology. I was pleased to see this concept expressed in another art form that effectively shared with the audience of ‘being present’ and ‘living in the moment’.
3.) What information, ideas, images, etc. most impressed you and why?
I was most impressed by the simple set design, and especially the incredible acting performances by my peers. It was a treat to watch my friend’s directing accomplishment come into fruition, as well as share in the overall experience of attending the play and appreciating it’s message towards the affects of technology.
4.) Overall, how would you rate this event (10 being the most worthwhile)?
(10 / 9 / 8 / 7 / 6 / 5 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 )
9
5.) Justify your rating in the question above:
I have not attended many play’s at Bucknell University, and for me this one especially was at the top of my list. I enjoyed the story line, but my only critique would be the length and the pace seemed a bit slow in parts.