Posted: 04/18/07

Tempers and toasters
A behind the scenes look at “True West”

Kristen Smoragiewicz | contributing writer
ksmoragiewicz@smcvt.edu

This weekend marks the opening of the Drama Club’s production of “True West.” The show runs from April 12 through April 14, with nightly performances starting at 7:00 p.m. and a Saturday matinee at 2:00 p.m. All performances are open to the public and free of charge.

Every spring the club sponsors student-directed productions which take the stage in April and May. This is the first production in a series of four student-run shows, which will all be held on the main stage in the McCarthy Arts Center.

Students are in charge of all aspects of production from selecting the play to producing it.

Some students write original scripts, while others produce existing plays. The opportunity to participate is extended to all students regardless of major. The process is an independent venture, separate from the theater department.

Brotherly love?

Sam Shepar's “True West” is a story about two brothers with dueling personalities. Austin is an accomplished academic, and struggling Hollywood playwright. Lee is an ill-tempered drifter. After five years apart, the brothers meet again at their mother’s house, while she is on vacation in Alaska. Much is left unsaid between the brothers, but the tension is palpable throughout their cool interactions.

The trouble begins when Lee impinges on Austin’s movie deal. Through questionable means, he convinces the Hollywood film producer to choose his shoddy story idea over Austin’s script. Austin is incredulous at first, scoffing at the idea that his wayward brother might have real writing talent. But when the reality sinks in, he plunges into a downward spiral of regret and despair.

During their time together, they share laughs about their father and vent frustrations with one another. They also entangle in a series of violent confrontations, ultimately resulting in chaos and destruction.

Renee Baillargeon, a junior biology major, has taken on the role of director, bringing “True West” to the St. Michael’s audience. Although she has been active in Drama Club through her time at St. Michael's, this is Baillargeon’s first time taking on a commanding role.

She says the project’s origins took root long ago. Senior lead actors Wesley Becklo and Keith Boylan were working on “Woyzeck” in 2005 when they decided they wanted to collaborate during senior year. The two friends knew they wanted to pursue “True West” as their final college show. Becklo says he thought about directing the play himself, but when Baillargeon volunteered to step in, he and Boylan gladly agreed.

The Drama Club held open auditions for all four spring productions on the same day. Many students turned out to audition. Baillargeon had to select actors to fill the roles of Saul, the Hollywood producer, and Mom. She chose senior Mike Germano and sophomore Emily Lima for the two supporting roles.

Baillargeon’s version of Shepard’s play remains untouched, aside from minor adjustments in stage directions and clothing choices. She says she tried to stay true to what Shepard intended.

“My job is to make sure all the actors are being cohesive with a major plan, for what we all decide the vision of the play should be at the beginning,” Baillargeon says. “I make sure they don’t stray from that and make sure that the choices they make are the best ones.”

Baillargeon says she tried to give the actors inspiration by bringing in elements from their own lives. She did this in order to make them relate to their characters more deeply. It’s a collaborative process; the actors bring in their own ideas as well, she says.

Becklo says he found inspiration from a variety of sources ranging from the discovery channel to observations of a former co-worker. Becklo’s character, Lee, has a complicated psychology. Baillargeon says that he and Boylen's character, Austin, both envy what the other has. This manifests itself outwardly in anger. While Lee has good intentions, he fails to follow through properly, melting down in times of stress.

“Lee has his own nobility about him, but it’s unlike everyone else. He has a bum rap,” Becklo says.

A challenging endeavor

Baillargeon says that the process was full of both challenges and surprises. It was difficult because she had to direct a group of her peers and due to the technical aspects of the show, she says.

She wasn’t the only one with a lot to learn on the technical side of the production. First-year Jayden Choquette joined the production team only a week before opening night.

Choquette was involved in theater throughout high school, but he says this is his first time as a technician. He says those working behind the scenes have very important roles, especially in this show. In addition, he says he’s always appreciated the tech crew. He knew they worked hard, but now he finally got a feel for what it’s really all about.

“True West” involves many props. Most function as debris resulting from one of Lee’s tantrums in the kitchen. Working toasters were needed as well for the second act after Lee dares Austin to steal one from a neighbor. Austin surpasses the expectation by returning with over a dozen.

“There’s fourteen toasters, plants, golf clubs, it’s a lot of work,” Choquette says.

He says that Vermont Stage produced “True West” earlier this year. John Devlin, the stagecraft professor, made the cabinets and did other set work for the Vermont Stage production. The Drama Club was able to use that set for their production. The cast and crew added their own personal elements as well.

Sweet success

The play was well received by the audience on Friday night. The actors got laughs from their slapstick humor and crude behavior. Baillargeon says she was very pleased with the way the play turned out. She says that many attended the night of the opening, and the crowd was even more substantial the second night.

Senior Colleen Dunn was in attendance at the Friday night show.

“It was absolutely phenomenal,” she says. “I enjoyed it thoroughly.”

Liz Hartford, a member of Drama Club, assisted as the house manager for the performance that night. She too was impressed by the performance.

“They really took their characters as their own,” Hartford says. "It was hard for me to stop seeing them as Wes and Keith, because I know them so well, but it soon went away.”

Baillargeon says she has enjoyed working with the cast and crew. The process involved hard work, compromise and the mutual sharing of ideas. She says that it has been an emotional experience.

She says she would love to continue her participation with Drama Club next year and she hopes to add theater as a minor.

“It’s just like any kind of art,” Baillargeon says. “An artist is a very emotional person, and when you’re all working together, you’re very proud of your own ideas. When someone says, ‘No, I don’t think so,’ sparks can fly, but it’s really been pretty good.”