UNK’s Theatre Department is set to thrill audiences with its upcoming production of “Deathtrap.” The suspenseful show will be the final fall show for the program.
Lainey Schmeits, senior 7-12 social sciences education major, is directing the performance after being involved in the program for the entirety of her studies at UNK.
“I think ‘Deathtrap’ is really special because it’s definitely a play for everyone,” Schmeits said. “But, I think it’s definitely a good homage to theater people specifically.”
As the director, Schmeits is responsible for reading the script and analyzing it to understand the playwright’s intent. From there, she creates a concept statement to establish the theme. Then she gives it to her designers to put the pieces together to be able to perform the play.
“Deathtrap,” was the longest-running thriller on Broadway in history. The set takes place in the fall of 1978 in the study of Sidney Bruhl, the lead role.
Sidney set the standard for thrillers in the contemporary era. When his career fell off after a few failed scripts, he received a play written by one of his students. After reading this well-written play, Sidney is met with a decision of whether or not to take the play as his own.
Sidney is portrayed by Nathaniel York, senior theater major.
“I really like how Sidney is a goofy character,” York said. “Even though he is conniving and underhanded and very intellectual, he still has goofy moments. There is depth to how the character was written.”
York said their whole department is contributing in some way, shape or form to the production. Along with the show being student-directed, there were lots of students who helped to build the set, design the production and make costumes.
“I think people should come to see this show because it shows the massive collaboration that happens in our department,” York said.
Makayla Strosnider, junior and stage manager, works behind the scenes to keep the show on track by organizing rehearsals and communicating with the cast and crew.
“My favorite part of every show is watching everything come together,” Strosnider said. “Since I am the stage manager, I am there for every design meeting and every rehearsal, so I see the process from both sides of it.”
While the play is described as a thriller, it does not lack its fair share of comedic aspects throughout the performance.
“There are all sorts of jokes about theater and the professional theater world,” Schmeits said. “Reading it originally I thought, ‘yeah it is scary and suspenseful.’” But, after looking more into it, it’s kind of funny. Part of the reason why it’s so funny is because of the context of all of the crazy plot twists. I have definitely been trying to keep that comical energy within the play while also making sure that the audience is still guessing what will happen next.”
“Deathtrap” will run Nov. 20-24, Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Studio Theater. The show is free to UNK students who present their UNK ID.
Photos by Jenna Heinz and Jenju Peters / Antelope Staff
