PORT ANGELES — Peninsula College Drama Department’s student production of “A Bright Room Called Day” by Tony Kushner will open at 7 tonight in the Little Theater, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd.
All shows are free and open to the public.
Other shows are scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 7-8. A noon show also is slated for Wednesday.
Called “unabashedly political, thought-provoking” by Sid Smith of the Chicago Tribune, “A Bright Room Called Day” takes place in Germany during the early 1930s, pre-Holocaust, when Hitler was coming into power.
The story line centers on a group of friends who discuss their individual responsibilities as citizens during this volatile time, and whether or not to become social activists.
The production is based on Bertolt Brecht’s “Fear and Misery in the Third Reich,” and is written in the style of epic theater.
This style of political theater was developed during the last century to respond to the political climate of the day.
“The students are doing an incredible job with it,” drama professor Kelly Doran said.
Doran, who is filling in for Lara Starcevich who is on sabbatical, taught theater at the Tacoma School of the Arts for 16 years before coming to Peninsula College. She holds a master’s degree in Theatre for Social Change.
Led by Pete Griffin and Tavin Dotson, students are setting the stage with lighting, sound and projection effects, as well as sets and costumes designed to help the audience walk in the shoes of these relatable characters.
“I’ve fallen in love with my character,” said cast member Jada Brisbois, who plays Paulinka, an actress on her way to minor stardom.
Also performing are Riley Ray, Niko Borgeman, Zachary Parril, Brad Alemo, Ashley Rosser, Clifford Becker, Molly Braaten, Sebastian Tolle-Meyer and Brianna Rocha.
For more information, contact Doran at kdoran@pencol.edu.
