Peinsula College students prep ‘A Bright Room Called Day’ for stage

By Sequim Gazette Staff • November 21, 2018 1:30 am

‘A Bright Room Called Day’

Peninsula College production of Tony Kushner play

When: 7 p.m., Nov. 30-Dec. 1 and Dec. 7-8; noon, Dec. 5

Where: Peninsula College’s Little Theater, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles

A bit of pre World War II history is coming to the Peninsula College stage.

The college drama department’s student production of “A Bright Room Called Day,” by Tony Kushner, is cast and in rehearsal for November and December shows.

Set in Germany during the early 1930s, “A Bright Room Called Day” explores a pre-Holocaust era as Hitler comes into power. The storyline centers on a group of friends who discuss their responsibilities as citizens during this volatile time. The production is based on Bertolt Brecht’s “Fear and Misery in the Third Reich,” and is written in the style of epic theater.

The director is PC drama professor Kelly Doran, filling in for Dr. Lara Starcevich while Starcevich is on sabbatical.

“The students are doing an incredible job with it,” Doran said.

Doran taught theater at the Tacoma School of the Arts for 16 years before coming to Peninsula College; she has a master’s degree in Theatre for Social Change.

Led by Pete Griffin and Tavin Dotson, students are setting the stage with lighting, and sound and projection effects as well as sets and costumes designed to help the audience walk in the shoes of these relatable characters.

“I’ve fallen in love with my character,” cast member Jada Brisbois said.

Brisbois plays Paulinka, an actress on her way to minor stardom.

“In real life I’ve matured into a quiet, reserved personality but this play helps me express my inner drama queen,” Brisbois said.

Also performing are Riley Ray, Niko Borgeman, Zachary Parril, Brad Alemo, Ashley Rosser, Clifford Becker, Molly Braaten, Sebastian Tolle-Meyer and Brianna Rocha.

All shows are free and open to the public, and will be held in the Peninsula College Little Theater, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles.

Showtimes are: 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 30, and Saturday, Dec. 1; noon, Wednesday, Dec. 5; and 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8.

For more information, contact Doran at kdoran@pencol.edu.