“After Ashley,” a play student directed by senior Nicholas Sweet, will begin performances on Nov. 9 through Nov. 13.
Sweet majors in theatre and cinema and screen studies with a minor in creative writing. In April, Sweet applied to become the student director of a production, and was selected to do so. He then chose “After Ashley,” and spent time researching the production over the summer.
In his role as director, Sweet “mostly interact[s] with the cast” by working with them in rehearsal. He also communicates with faculty, ensuring that all aspects of the production are coming together as intended.
This is Sweet’s first experience directing at SUNY Oswego, though over the summer he spent some time working with Missoula Children’s Theatre as an actor-director. There, he toured across several states. Each week, they would cast, teach and direct a performance with a new group of children. In doing this, Sweet gained some experience and defined his voice as a director over this time.
After returning to Oswego in the fall, Sweet began the casting process by holding auditions. Auditioners were asked to perform both a dramatic monologue and a comedic one. The directing team cast the show, and began rehearsing afterwards.
The cast is small, with only six performers including both upper and lowerclassmen.
“After Ashley” is about truth, Sweet said, and discussed that the show focuses on Justin, a teenager who “experiences a family tragedy,” calls 911, and finds himself the center of attention when the call is distributed around the world. He sees his tragedy through the lens of others, altering his experience.
Sean Hurley, a freshman majoring in theatre, plays Alden Hammond, who is the main character’s father. Hurley said he connects with his character’s kindness, and “how caring he is about the world around him.”
Despite its heavy themes, Hurley said that the show includes some comedic moments. When seeing the show, he believes that the audience can gain “a sense of how people truly are at heart and how they can grow as people.”
The cast rehearses from 6 to 11 p.m. every weekday, and on Saturdays as well, with Sunday being the only day off. Sweet said that the time commitment is huge, and often feels like he’s working “24/7.”
After graduation, Sweet hopes to create his own theater company in Georgia with his friends and create original works. He particularly enjoys acting.
“I think a lot of shows try to put you in one perspective of following the hero of the story, or following the villain of the story, […] and I think this show is more ambiguous,” Sweet said. He hopes it will leave the audience with a lot to think about.
“After Ashley” has performances at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 9, 10, 11 and 12, and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 12 and 13. The show will take place in the Lab Theatre in Tyler Hall. Tickets are free for students and available at tickets.oswego.edu.
Photo provided by: Shanya Sims
