By Gopika Nair,Ā Chief Copy Editor
Tensions run high as one man stands alone in a town filled with toxic greed in Ohio Wesleyanās first theatre production of the academic year.
OWUās theatre and dance department is presenting four performances of āAn Enemy of the Peopleā by Henrik Ibsen at Chappelear Drama Center. The Norwegian play revolves around the struggles of one manās fight for truth against those who stifle it for personal and political gain. Ā
Though the play was written in 1882, its themes remain relevant as it parallels current water disasters in Flint, Michigan and throughout the country and world, said Elane Denny, professor of theatre and director of the play at OWU.
āI have wanted to direct this Ibsen play for a long time and felt that now was the right time,ā Denny said in her directorās note. āIt has been interesting and informative to hear our students comment about how relevant this play is to world in which they now live.ā
More than 50 OWU students are involved with the production and rehearsals began in late August.
Environmental programs and clubs at OWU will also have displays in Chappelearās lobby in conjunction with the show, said freshman Josh Martin who portrays Dr. Stockmann, the protagonist.
Martin said he was first introduced to Ibsenās work and āAn Enemy of the Peopleā in 8th grade.
āI was always fascinated by the shift of character that Stockmann has and his hope in the face of political turmoil,ā he said. āHeās justified in doing what is right and heās very passionate in standing by his morals.ā
The play also stars junior Daniel Haygood as Peter Stockmann, Dr. Stockmanās elder brother; and freshman Sarah Gielink as Petra, Dr. Stockmannās daughter.
Haygood said he hadnāt intended to perform in any plays this year until he read the script and realized he couldnāt turn down the role given the timing of the production with the upcoming election and the Flint disaster.
āThe places that the characters go can be very dark,ā Haygood, who plays the antagonist, said. āItās important, I think, to see what my character and other characters are capable of and I think thatās going to surprise people going in because itās also very relevant today.ā
Ibsenās pieces are generally regarded as serious, but during rehearsals, the actors experimented with the script, approaching it in different, sometimes comedic ways, Martin said.
Gielink said that was one of her favorite moments during rehearsals. āThere are definitely funny moments that you might not get reading it the first time, but how some of the characters interact with each other physically is very funny,ā she said.
The three actors said they are looking forward to having an audience on opening night because they contribute to the actorsā energy on stage.
āI hope the audience will take away the message of hope that [the play] leaves with and how the struggle for fighting for truth isnāt an easy one, but itās necessary,ā Gielink said.
āAn Enemy of the Peopleā wasĀ held on the Main Stage at Chappelear Oct. 6 through Oct. 9.