Congratulations to the cast and crew of our first two Mainstages of the semester, but just like that we are on to the next with our workshop production of A Bright New Boise!
Written by Samuel D. Hunter and directed by T&D Department Head Joe Price, A Bright New Boise is “a character study that explores the complexities of faith and forgiveness in the ever-changing landscape of modern America. As Will desperately awaits The Rapture, he must not only come to terms with his own faith, but the banal reality in which he lives.” Wow- who doesn’t love an existential dark comedy?
We spoke to the director and one of the designers to give us an insight into how they tackled Samuel D. Hunter’s unique play.
Director Joe Price shared with us what the play means to him and how it has been working on it with our department’s student cast and crew. He said, “Personally, I have admired this play for a while, and I’m very excited to work on it. The cast, designers and crew have been wonderful to work with. I’m inspired by all of them. [A Bright New Boise] is a timely story as we navigate a global pandemic, war, protests, climate change and so much more. Is this the end times? Whether or not you are a person of faith, the question may have crossed your mind. What should we put our faith in? What can we do to bring light into a world that seems full of darkness? How can we stop hurting people as we search for paradise (whether on this earth or in another dimension)?”
Costume, hair, and makeup designer Sydney London Smith gave an insight into the costume designs and how they drew inspiration for the characters’ modern looks. “The costumes for A Bright New Boise are a mixture of contemporary fashion and street fashion, meaning that some characters have a more modern 2020s feel while others have a more 2010s feel. These are outfits you would see in our everyday life, from the middle-aged woman getting her coffee to the hip twenty-something student on their way to class. I often find inspiration in colors! When I design a character, I think of the colors they represent and develop off of that! I also tend to find inspiration in the strangest places. Like passing a dress shop or listening to someone describe a character in a podcast. Once you open up your mind to let it wander, you can get some fantastic ideas!
It sounds like this is going to be a cast with quite an incredible and exciting wardrobe!
A Bright New Boise runs with 7:30pm performances on Thursday, March 24 through Saturday, March 26 and a 2:30pm performance on Sunday, March 27. All performances will be held in the Credo Performing Arts Center at 931 S. Kickapoo Ave. and are free to attend with reservations. Mark your calendars, folks, and RESERVE YOUR SEATS HERE!!
“There is hope and humor in the play as well and I hope the audience is moved by the questions and by the laughter.”
