By Nayelis Vargas
Survival, humanity and death.
Those three themes seem especially rampant in the Brooklyn College theater department’s productions this fall, and can be seen especially in this month’s play, “Gloria” by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.
“A lot has happened in the world in terms of workplace culture and violence in this country,” said the director, Michael Page. “And it has a varied difference based on what’s happened between 2011 and today.”
In “Gloria” a young woman, who was consistently ostracized by her co-workers, shoots up the office she worked in. The story shows the aftermath of the event and how it affects the characters.
The actors in “Gloria” had to use unique methods to embody their roles due to the nature of the play.
“My process has been trying to find humanity in somebody that I wouldn’t necessarily relate to, and I think especially given the political climate now it’s very hard to look at these acts of violence and look at the person who’s doing it and see them as a person,” said the actress who plays Gloria, Izzy Marinucci. “In order for this story to be effective, we need to treat her, like we’d treat any of these characters who are not committing such a violent act and give her life.”
Page says this production of the play will be different than iterations that have come before it:
“I think that this is going to be different because I firmly believe, as a theater maker, that we only live in this moment and this moment is unique,” said Page. “So what is in the room at any given moment is different from minute to minute and all those things influence actors, and how they tell the story at any given moment.”
“Gloria” will run October 25-30 in The New Workshop Theater at BC. For more information on showtimes visit BrooklynCollegePresents.org or contact the box office at 718-951-4500.