Durham, N.C. – The Duke University Department of Theater Studies will present The Lower D’s, based on the Russian play The Lower Depths by Maxim Gorky, Nov. 12-21, 2009. Jay O’Berski of the Duke Theater Studies faculty will direct the play.
O’Berksi decided to set The Lower D’s not in Russia but in Lagos, Nigeria—and to do so with a minimal budget. The play is also being designed to be a carbon-neutral production, with no new materials purchased for the play and all energy use related to the play off-set by sponsors.
Because the play focuses on life in a homeless shelter, spending money to create an elaborate set seemed “antithetical” to O’Berski. Working with set designer Torry Bend, student actors in the play went on dumpster-diving expeditions around Durham to find materials for their set and costumes.
“It gives the students a sense of ownership of the performance, learning about designing around social themes,” O’Berski says.
“We’re trying to get [the students] to think about their characters,” says Bend, “to help them think about the visual world their characters live in.”
O’Berski and Bend are also using recycled products for the play’s marketing materials, creating promotional posters out of cardboard scraps. In addition, they are working with NC GreenPower, a local nonprofit program, to tabulate the carbon-emission rating for the play and to identify local cap-and-trade sponsors.
“We’re trying to make something beautiful out of nothing—to go deep and dark with something that’s already there versus something bright and shiny and new,” O’Berski says.
“We have learned how much you can get when someone’s trash becomes someone else’s treasure,” says Danya Taymor, a student actor in the play. “I think this is probably the most unique thing Duke [theater studies] has done in the four years I’ve been here.”
The Lower D’s?- Nov. 12-14 at 8 pm; Nov. 15 at 2 pm; Nov. 19-21 at 8 pm ?Sheafer Theater, Bryan Center?$10 general admission, $5 students and senior citizens; Information: 684-4444; tickets.duke.edu
The Duke University Department of Theater Studies will present a diverse 2009 fall season.
The Fall mainstage play will be The Lower D’s, directed by faculty member Jay O’Berski. The play, based on the Russian play The Lower Depths by Maxim Gorky, will be set in Lagos, Nigeria. The Lower D’s runs in Sheafer Theater Nov. 12-14 and 19-21 at 8 pm and Nov. 15 at 2 pm.
O’Berski is designing his play to be carbon neutral. The suggestion to go carbon neutral was put forth by Theater Studies graphic designer Rebecca Meek when O’Berski mentioned wanting to try a zero budget show with totally dumpster-dived set and costumes.
Duke Players, the student organizations in the Theater Studies department, will produce its first show for new student orientation. The Lives of Ives will be an evening of four short plays by David Ives. They are Sure Thing; Words, Words, Words; The Philadelphia and Death of Trotsky. The Lives of Ives will take place in Brody Theater Aug. 22 at 11:30 pm and Aug. 27-29 at 8 pm.
Duke Players will present Nevermore Halloween weekend. Nevermore, based on works by Edgar Allan Poe, will run Oct. 29, 8 pm and Oct. 30-31, 8 pm and 11 pm. Admission is free at both Duke Players shows.
Duke box office for upcoming events