The Evergreen Players performed “Love and Information” from Nov. 21-24 in the Black Box Theatre. Through its 50 scenes and 100 characters, Caryl Churchill’s play conveyed the power of knowledge in a changing world.

The show, directed by Producing Director of Everyman Theatre Kyle Prue, was performed by a company of 16 student actors. To Caitlin Dwinnell ’20, being a part of this show was a “journey.”

“When we were cast in the show we were given no characters or lines. Instead, we spent weeks exploring the script, discovering with each other,” she said. “Every time our director, Kyle Prue, launched into notes, he’d start by saying, ‘I had a revelation this time around’ and that’s how the process felt for all of us.”

Every scene was something new for the actors, playing a new role each time they stepped on the twelve-foot by sixteen-foot stage. For many of them, this was the first time they worked on a show with such a unique format.

“Working with a cast of 16 with such a unique ensemble piece was difficult and different from anything I’d done before, but it was so worth it,” said stage manager Emma Petruzzelli ’22. The sophomore said she called over 100 light cues from the booth every performance for this “truly special” show.

The scenes ranged from romantic and comedic to dark and somber. Some of the diverse storylines from the collection of scenes included a couple rekindling a past romance, a girl discussing her inability to feel pain, a boy finding out that his sister was actually his mom, young girls expressing their attachment to a celebrity, and a patient finding out from their doctor that they only have a short time to live.

Among the components guiding “Love and Information” was a live student musician playing the piano. Sound designer Marley Scheld ’20 said this task was “challenging,” as it was her first-time composing music. The senior said she attended about half of rehearsals to get a feel for the show, and then went home and practiced what chords would work best with each scene or transition.

“This show was definitely special because each scene is a new moment in time, new people, and new ideas, and it was my job to not only bring some of these scenes to life but connect them together in some way through music,” she said.

Scheld said that working with such a “welcoming” cast of students made the show a special experience for all involved.

“It’s such a special moment when the whole cast does a group hug at the end of the show, and I’m so grateful I get to be part of that moment,” she said. 

To Michael Devereaux ’22, this “fun collaborative experience” was enhanced because of his fellow cast members and their work on the many different scenes.

“Being able to work with such talented people has truly been a joy in my life.”

Feature Image: Courtesy of Jay Mendez ’20.