True Stories
Road Show
Molly Weeks '07
Senior English and drama major Molly Weeks spent much of last July rehearsing Sheri Wilner's Father Joy in the basement of Middle Hall—not because Gibson Performing Arts Center was under renovation, but because the minimalist space more closely imitated the venue she was allotted in Scotland for her traveling senior thesis production. She and her cast of four took their show on the road, performing the work of one of today's best emerging playwrights at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the largest arts festival in the world. Kate Amann '06, who studied in Scotland two years ago, is Molly's production manager. "It was her idea to take the show to the Fringe," Molly says. "In August, the entire city turns into performance space. It's really exciting to be a part of that."
The Washington College ensemble performed Father Joy "about 20 times" in Greyfriar's Kirk House, a small venue for student groups. "It was perfect because the show demands a small, intimate space." Back in Chestertown in early September, Molly staged her senior thesis once more at Church Hill Theatre.
"Because we do so many shows each semester, it's been hard to find rehearsal space," she says. And the physical limitations of Tawes Theatre—from outdated lighting and acoustical systems to no electrical outlets at the front of the stage—have sometimes taxed her patience. But like her fellow classmates, she has taken those limitations in stride.
"I really like that the department is small and you get to do everything associated with staging a show," she says. "We had an active theatre department at my high school, but when I came to Washington College I didn't know anything about building sets or designing lights. I've learned so much more than I imagined."
The actor/stage manager/director/dramaturg is excited at the prospect of a new space that will fit the needs of today's creative students. "We'll be able to do so much more," she says. "I want to come back after I graduate to see what's going on in the experimental theatre. Next year, with Tawes offline, will definitely be a challenge, but it's good because it will encourage us to try new things."