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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024

MIDDSummer Play Lab

It is 10 a.m. the week before the start of school, but a group of students is already focusing intently. Forming a circle on the stage of Wright Memorial Theatre, the students stand with their eyes shut. Over the sound of a loud fan, they listen to each other, waiting for the right moment. Suddenly, it is there. The stillness is broken as the students all jump together — or not all together, as it turns out.

“Try again,” a voice says.

The students close their eyes and restart.

This is part of the MIDDSummer Play Lab, a week-long program right before the fall semester. Now in its third year, the Play Lab is a unique chance for alumni and students to connect. The main focus of the Play Lab is to workshop a new play written by a Middlebury alum. This year’s play was Ubiquitous, a Hitchcock-esque thriller by Jake Jeppson ’06. Last year, the play was Clickshare by Lucas Kavner ’06.5, which will be produced by the Theatre Department this fall.

During rehearsals of Ubiquitous, students were given the opportunity to discuss the play, offer feedback and ask questions. Professor of Theatre Dana Yeaton helped to lead these discussions, while students worked to advertise and facilitate a public reading of the play. Taking place this past Saturday, Sept. 12, the reading featured four alumni in the program.

In addition to putting together a new play, the alumni provide master classes to students in the Play Lab. This year, the curriculum included ‘Creativity and Collaboration’ with Jeppson and Tara Giordano ’02, ‘The Actor in Space’ with Jay Dunn ’0.5, ‘Activating the Text’ with Becky Martin ’04 and ‘On-Camera Acting’ with Kristen Connolly ’02 and Joe Varca ’02. Classes are designed to be playful and supportive environments that allow students to explore everything from silent, physical ensemble work to scene-reading for auditions.

“Play Lab ... gives us a chance to hone skills we don’t normally get to work on during the year,” said Student Coordinator Caitlin Duffy ’15.5.

Students are encouraged to branch out and discover various kinds of theatre and acting. Since all of the instructors are alumni, they are familiar with the types of training and classes that already take place at the College. This allows students to both see where their careers might take them, and to talk with alumni about how to get there.

Another master class and major element of the Play Lab is the opportunity to delve into the business side of theatre. This fall, discussion topics ranged from the details of how to get headshots and organize a resume, to questions about which cities are best for young theatre artists. Students shared research on these topics, amd additionally attended a question-and-answer session with the alumni about their careers. Susan Walker, Associate Director of Professional & Career Development at the Center for Careers & Internships (CCI), who helped fund the Play Lab, was also part of this conversation.

Ubiquitous playwright and alum Jeppson enjoyed hearing his play read aloud and receiving feedback from the students. He plans to continue developing  Ubiquitous, and would love to return to the Play Lab in the future.

“Once I hear my play in the mouths of actors, I am excited and energized to keep writing,” he said.

The students also enjoyed the week of exploration and connection.

Ashley Fink ’18 described it as “super fun and exploratory... more like play than work.”

Though still in its infancy, MIDDSummer Play Lab serves as a valuable opportunity for collaboration among students and alumni, and will hopefully continue to grow for years to come.


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