Student Directors Assist with Calling the Show

University News | September 26, 2023

 

Junior Erin Andrews and sophomore Jacob Underwood are no strangers to the stage at Virginia Wesleyan—both have been very involved in the performing arts since they arrived on campus, with lead roles in VWU’s 2022 production of “Cabaret.” However, neither will be under the lights in Sarah Ruhl’s “Eurydice” this October. Instead, they will be they’ll be calling the show, serving as assistant directors and stage managers.

 

Both say they are ecstatic to present this production with its complex, but relatable themes.

 

“Like in the original story, the play focuses on loss, but not the loss of the relationship between Orpheus and Eurydice,” notes Erin. “Instead, we narrow in on loss between Eurydice and her father. Everyone can think of a person they’ve lost that they wish they could say one last thing to. That’s what this story is—Eurydice getting to say her ‘one last thing’ that until now, loss has prevented her from saying.”

 

Jacob shares that he is grateful to get to learn from Erin who has more technical experience. “Erin is so organized and understands directing so well – it makes rehearsals easy to go through. It’s been a really great learning experience for me, because up until now, my theater participation has been purely on-stage. It’s especially great because she and I are so close, we’re in choirs together as well as fellow music majors, so she’s easily available if I have questions or thoughts, and we’re constantly bouncing ideas off one another and workshopping together.” 

 

Erin’s technical experience comes from her involvement in “Airness,” VWU’s 2023 spring theater production. “During ‘Airness,’ I learned a lot about how the rehearsal process works and what the job of directing is. Coming into ‘Eurydice’ with a finished production already under my belt has been helpful because the backstage perspective is so different from acting. I definitely worked out my directing process in ‘Airness,’ but now, tackling ‘Eurydice,’ I really understand the reasons behind the tasks Jacob and I are carrying out. Whether it be taking notes, deciding on set pieces, or workshopping scenes, I know what it’s all for and I can see the finish line for what we’re working towards. I’ve enjoyed bringing Jacob along with me because we’ve been able to share the workload on a really difficult task to produce something we believe will be amazing.”

 

Both are appreciative of the VWU faculty and staff, especially “Eurydice's” director Professor of Theatre Dr. Sally Shedd who has been involved with more than twenty stage productions at Virginia Wesleyan. Shedd says she's reflecting on the unprecedented times the world finds itself in to tell old stories in a new light.