“Proof” positive

By: Kyle Christensen
Features Editor

There is no denying that freshman Kate Drost has some pretty big shoes to fill. Where the likes of famed actresses such as Mary Louise Parker, Anne Heche, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Gwyneth Paltrow once stood, Drost herself will take on the complex and challenging lead role of Catherine in Wells Theater’s highly-anticipated production of the 2001 Pulitzer-Prize and Tony Award winning drama “Proof” on Nov. 16-18 at 7 p.m. and on Nov. 19 at 2:30 p.m.

Though the curtain is still two weeks away from opening to the public, early buzz for the show has already spread across the campus, as many are expecting an event immersed in dark, sensitive subject matter and promising riveting performances from the six-member on-stage ensemble, consisting of both new and veteran faces for the fall 2006 season.
The supporting cast includes senior Michael Heaton as Robert (Catherine’s father, an acclaimed mathematical scholar being driven to insanity by his own genius), senior Michael Seufert as Hal (a graduate student who begins an intense love affair with Catherine), senior Stephanie Haas as Claire (Catherine’s self-centered and overcritical older sister) and freshman James A. Shepard, Jr. and sophomore Mark Shoemaker as part of the artistic moving company.

Serving as stage manager is junior Valerie Key. Having tackled the role of box office manager and assistant technical director in previous years, Key remarks, “Having new blood in the theater is good, because everyone comes from a different background.”

Drost feels that Catherine will be the type of individual that many people will be able to relate to as the story unfolds, stating, “She’s been let down a lot and she’s striving for something better. Everyone can look at her and realize that they’ve been there once.”

The smaller size of the cast has allowed for everyone involved to build a stronger sense of camaraderie throughout the long hours of rehearsals and necessary preparation time. “The four actors are very dependent upon each other,” stated Seufert. “If one of us is off, then all of us are off.”

First-time director Janeve West, assistant professor of theater, knows that the challenge of bringing a show with an experimental tone through limited scenery, costuming and props and heavy emphasis on lighting and project images, will introduce the students and faculty to a sort of live experience that they have never quite witnessed before.

“It’s going to be visually stunning. We’re doing a lot of physical work and more fully communicating with the body and bringing out the full text of the material. I think it will be one in a long line of many beautiful shows Monmouth will see here,” West commented.

According to West, “These actors bring a maturity to the craft of theater that I really appreciate.” The feeling of gratitude appears to be mutually felt by the performers, as Seufert proclaimed, “Janeve is one of the most talented directors I’ve ever worked with. She works very well as both a director and a teacher. This production has the potential to be the most successful production Monmouth College has ever had.”

The general price of tickets for “Proof” will be $6, with $5 for students & seniors and $4 for patrons displaying an official Monmouth College ID, and may be pre-ordered by contacting theater@monm.edu.