Theatre Fairfield's Independent Project Features Pulitzer Prize-winning Play
Theatre Fairfield, ¶¶Òô»ÆÆŹappâs resident production company, opens its 2013 theatrical season with an Independent Project production of âHow I Learned to Drive,â Paula Vogelâs 1998 Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Student proposed, conceived, and produced, âHow I Learned to Driveâ will be a completely student-driven production. Performances take place at 8 p.m. on Friday, January 25 and Saturday, January 26, 2013, and at 2 p.m . Saturday January 26 , and Sunday January 27, 2013, at the PepsiCo Theatre on ¶¶Òô»ÆÆŹappâs campus .
Tickets are $7 for General Admission, and $5 for Students. Tickets are available through the Quick Center Box Office: (203) 254-4010, or toll-free 1-877-ARTS-396. (1-877-278-7396), and online at . Tickets can also be purchased on the day of performance at the PepsiCo Theatre, but are subject to availability. The PepsiCo Theatre is located at 1073 North Benson Road, on the campus of ¶¶Òô»ÆÆŹapp, in Fairfield, CT. This production was made possible by the generous support of the Jamie A. Hulley Arts Foundation.
âThe Independent Project offers a valuable opportunity to learn the ins and outs of putting on a play under âreal worldâ circumstances,â said ¶¶Òô»ÆÆŹapp theatre major Michael Maio, â13, who is directing this yearâs production. âThe company returned early from winter break and labored tirelessly over the past three weeks to put together a show we are proud of that is completely our own.â
Paula Vogelâs âHow I Learned to Driveâ tells the story of Lilâ Bit, a young woman reflecting on her life and the relationships she has had. It focuses on one relationship in particular, her relationship with an older man. Vogelâs play challenges societyâs conception of what love is and what defines a healthy, stable connection. âThis play makes us all look at our concept of love and stretch out minds,â explains Maio, who chose it for this yearâs project. âIt forces us to face some difficult subject matters, and leaves us to ponder why humans are the way they are, is it nature vs. nurture? The show itself is also witty, funny, and thought-provoking. The characters are larger-than-life, and all are challenges for our performers. We wanted a show that would challenge the audience and the entire company."
The cast and crew of Theater Fairfieldâs âHow I Learned to Driveâ includes: director Michael Maio; scenic designer Joe Plouffe, â13; Maggie Greene â15, as Lilâ Bit; Plouffe as Peck; Brendan Freeman â15, as Male Greek Chorus; Katie Premus â15, as Teenage Greek Chorus; and DiMenna- Nyselius reference librarian Elise Bochinski as Female Greek Chorus. Ms. Bochinski, the only non-student member of the company, returns to Theatre Fairfield after playing the Nurse in âRomeo & Juliet,â and the Teacher/ Reporter in last yearâs Independent Project âSpeech & Debate.â The crew on this production includes, Kelan McDonnell â15; Ryan Champlin â16; Mary Corigliano â14;Â Logan Pratt â15; and Christina Barry â15.
The Jamie A. Hulley Arts Foundation provides educational and career development opportunities in the arts. T he Hulley Foundation accepts student proposals and has previously supplied funds for Theatre Fairfieldâs Independent Project.
Photo caption: Rehearsing a scene from Theatre Fairfieldâs production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play âHow I Learned to Driveâ are ¶¶Òô»ÆÆŹappâs Joe Plouffe â13, as Peck, and Maggie Greene â15, as Lilâ Bit (left-to-right).