MIA CIECHALSKI
Life & Arts Editor
Photo provided by Cassie Gillen.
On the weekend of April 4, Fredonia’s Performing Arts Company (PAC) added “Lord of the Flies” to their ever-growing list of productions.
The production was directed by junior BFA musical theater and BS dance major Cassie Gillen and by junior BFA theatrical production and design lighting concentration Emily Youtt.
This was Gillen and Youtt’s first time directing a show for PAC, and Youtt’s first time ever directing a show.
This experience was very special because of everything they learned and the memories they made during this process.
Gillen had experience with directing other productions, but for younger children. So, getting to direct college students was quite a different adventure for her.
“Working with college actors is an entirely different ballgame. They take rehearsals seriously, they ask for notes and are always looking to improve,” said Gillen.
Gillen felt she had to strike a balance when it came to answering their questions while also giving them room as actors to make their own creative choices.
While they were creating this production, they learned new techniques that they plan to keep in their pockets for when they’re done with school.
Youtt said, “I learned so much from the rehearsal process and how directors think. Ultimately, understanding what everyone is doing and having respect for everyone’s role helps every production go smoother.”
Youtt doesn’t plan on directing again anytime soon, but she now has a deeper understanding of directors, actors and stage management than she did before.
However, learning can also come with its challenges.
The most challenging part for Gillen was the audition process.
“It was so nerve-wracking to let these actors into this show that we’ve been working for so long, and trusting that they would bring it to life for us,” admitted Gillen.
For Youtt, it felt as if it would be an uphill battle forever and they’d never reach the summit.
However, all of these obstacles didn’t stop them from creating special memories during the process.
“I’ve loved the collaboration that’s been in this show from the start. Between Emily and I co-directing, our cast coming in with so many ideas and the trust that I feel we’ve all built together, this show has become one of my favorites I’ve ever worked on,” said Gillen.
Not only does this production hold a special place in the director’s heart, but it also created core memories for the cast members as well.
Sophomore BFA musical theater major Sunny Custer said, “I loved how different this show was from other projects I’ve worked on in the past. The story felt much more real and intense, and I felt extremely in tune with my voice and the emotions of my character this time around.”
According to Gillen and Youtt, the cast put their all into this production.
Gabi Farr, a sophomore theatre arts major with a directing and stage management concentration, said, “The main challenge I faced was communication with the cast and crew, but everything worked out.”
Farr made sure this challenge didn’t stop them because they said they also learned how to be more flexible and make decisions that will please almost everyone.
“This show was definitely physically and emotionally demanding, but it was so worth it in the end,” said Custer.