Crossing Delancey Preview
Photo by Senior Photographer Riley Evans
Lee University’s theatre season officially begins with “Crossing Delancey” written by Susan Sandler and directed by Visiting Lecturer Anna Marie Brendel.
“Crossing Delancey” consists of a five person cast, creating an intimate setting for the audience. The student performers have been engrossed in their characters, “living life” in 1980’s New York. The cast members include Alysse Brendtke as ‘Bubbie’, Kevin Collins as ‘Tyler’, Lucas Branch as ‘Sam’, Shauna Drinnon as ‘Hannah’, and Tori Turton as ‘Isabelle’.
“The benefit of having a smaller cast is being able to ask questions to yourself about your character because you have some time to afford that for a smaller person show. A smaller cast allows you to really dig deeper into the character for sure," said Kevin Collins, senior theatre major and cast member.
Brendel has recently become a part of the theatre faculty. As an alum of Lee theatre, she hopes to influence students in new ways and as she takes on this role of leadership and community.
“They've all worked so hard and they've made my job really easy, especially coming into the new position while all of these new things are happening all at once. I couldn't have asked for a better, a better situation or a better cast. And it's a great play too. So, yeah, I encourage everybody to come out and see it,” Brendel said.
Lee University theatre differs from other productions performed in community theater as faith is integrated in every aspect of Lee’s campus.
“There's something about theatre that the Lord makes clear to me that this is where I'm supposed to be, and that is what I'm supposed to be honoring him with. So other than me just enjoying theatre personally, I do it just because I know that it’s what the Lord would want me to do with my life to glorify him with,” said Alysse Brendtke, junior theatre major and cast member.
“Crossing Delancey” is a play about not being afraid to experience new things when life may not turn out how a person expects it to.
“I don't want to give away too much, but there are a lot of fears and stigmas these days and so you just have to stick with your thing or, you know, find what works for you and just go with it. But there's never any harm in maybe trying on a new hat or going over to the other side of the street and trying something that maybe you never would have thought of. And it could change the trajectory of your life,” said Brendel
Theatre can be seen as an outlet for many students, on and off the stage, as it provides the chance for cast members to bond.
“After rehearsal, we’re able to do cast bonding with hacky sack and different games. So it's really fun when we get to do that and not just work on the show, but work on our connection as a cast,” said Brendtke.
Producing a show goes beyond the stage, cast members and leadership roles in the theatre. To create a lasting performance, set, sound design, and costuming all work together to transform audiences into the world of the play.
“I love that I get to go to college to study film and theatre because it’s made me appreciate all the different aspects of art. There’s so much more to the story than just the words, it's how the characters are portrayed through acting but it’s also what they wear it, sound design that creates a mood, and a tone so that an actor's choice will carry. So sound and lighting in costumes all work together to communicate the story. The beauty of art is in the intention of it,” said Alexis Larson, Cinema major and student worker at the costume shop.
“I hope people come to see this show. I think it's going to be really good,” said Collins. “I think we have a great cast, we have a great director, and I think people will really enjoy the show. And hope everyone comes and sees it to support live theater.”
Performances are on February 10, 11 and 16-18, at 7:30 p.m. in the Buzz Oates Theater. Lee University shows are free to all students online using the code “LeeStudents”. To reserve tickets for “Crossing Delancey” click here.
