The Importance of Being Earnest was staged at Eckerd College from Nov. 19–22 in the Bininger Center for Performing Arts. Photo courtesy of Eckerd College theatre discipline
As the semester comes to a head, Eckerd College theatre participants have been hard at work on their most recent production, The Importance of Being Earnest.
A play by Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest follows two men: Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff. They both live double lives, identifying as a man named Ernest in order to seek out romance. Yet, when Jack and Algernon fall in love with two different women, they run into trouble using the same alias. The play is satirical in nature and focuses on the strange norms held by the upper class during the Victorian era.
The Eckerd production in four showings Nov. 19–22 in Bininger Theatre was directed by Technical Director Rick Tetrault and offered students the opportunity to enjoy the play, whether as actors or spectators.
Jonathan Rodman, a first-year musical theatre student from East Falmouth, Massachusetts, had landed the role of Jack and was eager to perform. After two years at Eckerd College, he’ll go on to study for two years at Circle in the Square in New York City, as part of Eckerd’s unique Bachelor of Fine Arts program.
“This is my first time doing a show with Eckerd and it was a blast,” Jonathan says.
Technical Director Rick Tetrault led the production of student actors through the classic play.
“One of the most exciting parts of this show is being able to be wacky and over the top with a lot of movements and lines,” he adds. “It’s nice to find the humor and comfort in the absurdity of this world.”
While this may be his first gig at Eckerd, Jonathan has a wealth of acting experience. For the past nine years, he has been involved in theatre. Over 40 shows later, he is sharpening his craft in college.
The production ended the fall season for the theatre discipline. The next show will be staged in April.
“The theatre program at Eckerd is really amazing in a lot of ways,” he explains. “Everyone has been extremely welcoming and put away any and all fears of fitting in or making friends … I feel like I have gained a little home and family with the people here and couldn’t be happier.”
Gage Ramos, from Granbury, Texas—another first-year theatre student—played the character Algernon. Like Jonathan, Gage has been acting for nine years, and The Importance of Being Earnest was his first show with Eckerd’s theatre company.
“The quality of the program here is amazing,” Gage notes, “and I feel as if everyone here has not only what’s best for the shows in mind but also what’s best for you. I felt pushed but never to a point of stress or overwork.”
Striving to improve oneself and others seems to be a common theme of the theatre program. Jonathan had similar impressions. Yet, it is the comradery among members that allows for a safe space to learn.
“I instantly felt like I clicked with everyone and was able to focus on show growth instead of worrying,” Jonathan says. “It allowed us to push each other further and make the show that we have brought.”
