I’m sure you’ve noticed the fantastic posters around campus advertising the play “Tigers Be Still,” with the tiger face staring at you. That play will premiere tonight, and Emma Folwell, the director of the play, is more than excited.
Folwell is a senior this year and is a Theatre Arts major. She has been involved in theater since she was only 8 years old, and has stuck with it since. Her freshman year of college, she got involved with SUU’s 2nd Studio. 2nd studio “provides students with the opportunity to further explore their crafit beyond the work done on Main-Stage productions.”
Last February, Folwell applied to direct the production “Constellations.” Folwell explained that this is her all time favorite play. It switches to alternate universes, focuses on repeated scenes and doesn’t move on until the two characters get “their relationship just right.”
After this play, Professor Russ Benton approached Folwell, telling her that she is not only good at what she does, but that she needs to keep doing it.
“This solidified my feelings, and I decided this is really what I wanted to do. My dream job is to be an artistic director. I want to direct and be part of a company,” Folwell said.
This is the second production that she has directed. “Tigers Be Still,” has taken a lot of work. It includes a 4 person cast, 6 designers, and a stage manager. The cast includes students Rio LeFevre, Ryan Munsey, Ada Lauren Taylor, and Nick Denhalter.
So what’s the big deal about the tiger in the play? Folwell explained that the play’s underlying tone is about depression. The tiger itself is a symbol of depression.
“Everyone is so worried about it, but no one talks about it. No one really sees the tiger, and I think that really represents the struggle that many people have with depression.” Folwell said.
It’s currently Mental Health Awareness Week, so it’s fitting that the play opens up tonight. Folwell says that the play is a good place to go and see how other people deal with their struggles. The play shines light on depression, despite the controversy that surrounds the supposedly “taboo topic.”
The play will be held Oct. 11, 12, and 14 at 7:30 p.m. There will also be an afternoon showing on Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5, and it will be held at the SUU Black Box. For more information, visit 2nd Studio’s Facebook page.
Story by: Elizabeth Armstrong
accent@suunews.net
Photo by: Emma Folwell
