Lee Theatre to commence fall season with “Brilliant Traces”
Laura Harris, portraying Rosannah, and Jake Wallin, playing Henry Harry, are seen during a rehearsal. Photo courtesy of the Lee University Office of Public Relations.
The Alaskan night is ink black, and the rustic cabin is barely visible through the copious amounts of snow whirling in the wind. Henry Harry faces another night at home alone until a frantic runaway bride named Rosanna knocks on his door, and they are both changed forever.
This opening scene is a glimpse into Lee Theatre’s upcoming play “Brilliant Traces,” set to commence the fall 2019 season. The show will feature only two actors—senior theatre major Jake Wallin and sophomore theatre major Laura Harris—under the direction of senior theatre major Madelaine Burgess. Burgess was chosen by Lee’s theatre faculty to direct the first mainstage of the season, themed “Leading Ladies.”
“I was very excited when I heard [Burgess] was directing the show,” said Harris. “I just love how her mind works, and I love how she directs. It’s easy to take direction from her.”
Burgess is interested in theatre that carries an impactful meaning and leaves the audience thinking. After her initial analysis of the “Brilliant Traces” script, she realized the salience of its message.
“I think ‘Brilliant Traces’ has a really good commentary on what it’s like to be alive and to go through trauma,” Burgess said. “How do we deal with the things that have hurt us? Do we deal with them? What is it like to be thrown into situations where we’re trapped? I think it’s important for people to be exposed to that kind of theatre and [see] what it’s like to feel pain and struggle but also hope. We’re really trying to find this balance of hope and despair in this play.”
Wallin was also amazed by the storytelling of the script. He said actors thrive for great moments where they can portray raw emotion, which can be found throughout “Brilliant Traces.”
These students value the significance of not only how they render a story but also how people gain perspective from it. Burgess invites students to experience the brilliant traces of inspiration that can result from experiencing theatre.
“Come see what it’s like to watch your peers do art and be raw on stage and see not only what we can do but what you can do.”
“Brilliant Traces” will be showing Sept. 27-28 and Oct. 3-5. Tickets go on sale for each show a few weeks before opening night, and the Lee Theatre Box Office is located in the Communication Arts Building. For more information, call 423-614-8360 or email theatre@leeuniversity.edu.
