‘Proof’ of existence at Wells Theater

By: Michelle Anstett
Editor-in-chief

Audiences viewing this weekend’s production of “Proof” may leave with more questions than they had answered during the production.

Crimson Masque’s second production of the season runs Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. in the Wells Theater. Director and new communication and theater arts faculty member Janeve West said the audience will experience “topics about owning yourself and facing yourself,” which are “great topics for a college atmosphere.”

“Proof,” the story of Catherine, the 25-year-old daughter of a recently deceased mathematical genius, has met a lot of critical acclaim since its premiere in 2000, garnering both the Pulitzer Prize for best drama and a Tony Award for best actress.

West, who has directed many productions throughout her career, most of which have not been presented in a realistic manner. “Proof” is no different.

“I wanted to direct a production that allows me to do a multi-media production,” West said. In her investigations prior to direction, West discovered the play has been traditionally produced in a realistic manner. However, she decided, as a result of the dream-like quality of much of the production, as well as the depth of issues explored, “a realistic setting would not do it justice.” The situations and interactions between characters are “so intense that they cannot be real,” so West decided to stage her production in an unrealistic manner.

“I have a very movement-based directing style,” West stated, and it stems from her training as an actress.

The auditions, which were very movement-focused, were some of the most rigorous Monmouth College students have been through in the program. West said she used “a lot of movement technique to help bring out the physicalities of the character,” helping her actors further develop their characters.

In addition to the physical developments of the characters, the actors “wrote a lot, discussed a lot and thought a lot” about their characters. Rehearsals were a “very collaborative” process, as all the actors contributed a great deal to the images presented on stage.

Following West through this rigorous rehearsal process are freshmen Kate Drost (Catherine) and James A. Shepard, Jr. (artistic movement company), sophomore Mark Shoemaker (artistic movement company) and seniors Michael Heaton (Robert), Michael Seufert (Hal) and Stephanie Haas (Claire).

The company, a group West calls “very committed and talented students,” is led through a long vocal and physical warm-up each night in preparation for the production.

On the experience, she wants the audience “to be able to walk away knowing all sides of the issue… I don’t want it to be easy.” In other words, audience members should enter the theater prepared to think about what they see.