Outside the box: TheatreSquared production creates interactive examination of friendship
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/WhatsUp/62491/
These are familiar characters. The older sister, prim, proper, a girl with a routine. The younger brother, imaginative, messy, a boy without a routine. The older kid down the block, the one who each of the siblings would love to impress.
Now place the siblings in separate boxes, and make the older kid a drum major, and one has much of the premise of "Noodle Doodle Box," the play being presented by TheatreSquared through March 9 at Nadine Baum Studios in Fayetteville.
But according to Kassie Misiewicz, the company's artistic director and director of the upcoming production, not all is what it seems.
"The boxes are really special, and aren't always what they appear," said Misiewicz.
It is Pepper, the younger sibling, and Zacharias, the elder of the two, who share a bedroom and live in boxes. The characters are clowns, but not of the painted-face-and-goofy-wig variety. The two characters are clowns in a European sense, more Three Stooges than Bozo.
With such a divergent approach to life, tension is frequent. Zacharias would like Pepper to be a bit more like her. Conversely, Pepper wants Zacharias to have a bit more fun.
Then, the drum major pits the two against each other, further creating drama.
Misiewicz first discovered the play while a graduate student at Arizona State University.
"The story is really about imagination and sharing, and having two kids [of my own] under 3, it really appeals to me even more," she said. "It's tough finding a play that really resonates with children."
And although the production is theater for youngsters, adults can find things to like as well.
"You get to see humans in their most vulnerable position onstage," Misiewicz said. "One of the things I really like about this play is that everyone has been in this position before."
A professional cast will play the three roles. Pepper is played by Jason Engstrom, a University of Arkansas Masters of Fine Arts in Drama graduate who last performed for T2 in September's "The Mystery of Irma Vep." Valerie Andrews, who performed in T2's "Last Five Years," will play the role of Zacharias. Rounding out the cast as the Drum Major is Julie Gabel, co-founder of local theater company Ceramic Cow Productions.
As a production geared for young people, the troupe will offer several educational opportunities that coincide with the show, Misiewicz said.
The lobby area of Nadine Baum Studios will be converted into an interactive environment. Art projects and conversations with the artists will take place. Workshops will also be scheduled during the play's run.
"The play is the center of the experience, but we have all these educational opportunities to take part in," Misiewicz said. Even the production's program extends the thought of education, as it contains guided questions parents can ask their children on the car ride home.
It's part of the whole experience, one focused on teaching a message of sharing and helping.
"It's putting a mirror to our audience, to present a story that parents or teachers can talk about with their kids," Misiewicz said.