As the curtains prepare to rise at Washburn University’s theater, excitement is rising among actors and crew for the upcoming performance of “Exit, Pursued by a Bear.”
This darkly comedic play, written by Lauren Gunderson, explores themes of domestic abuse, empowerment and the complexities of human relationships through a unique lens. The four-person show follows a woman who, after years of suffering in silence, decides to take control of her life in a rather unconventional way. The performance is set to open Sept. 27. The play’s title is a nod to Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale”, hinting at the blend of humor and tragedy that audiences can expect.
“I really love this play,” said Sharon Sullivan, play director. “It uses comedy to talk about really difficult things. It makes us not want to look away, and really think ‘this isn’t right, maybe I can recognize some red flags or learn from this story and this experience.’”
Sullivan shared her insights on the challenges and triumphs of directing such a complex piece.
“For the first time in my directing career, I’m having to say ‘Slow down, slow down.’ Usually I’m having to tell folks to pick up the pace, but they just get so excited about the work and interacting with each other,” Sullivan said..
Sullivan emphasized the importance of creating a safe space for the actors to explore their characters’ emotional depths. The rehearsal process has involved extensive character work, allowing the cast to connect with their roles on a personal level, which is crucial for a play that tackles such sensitive subjects.
“I love the way that the actors are discovering the story and the ways that they’re telling it. Comedy is very difficult, and our students are doing a fantastic job, and I can’t wait for everybody to see just how talented they are,” Sullivan said.
Wyatt Tripe, a sophomore theater major playing the role of Simon, expressed his enthusiasm for the role.
“I love how different my character is from how I really am, and how I can explore something completely new,” Tripe said. “It’s set in Georgia, so we do southern accents, and so I feel like I get to be a completely different person.”
The ability to portray complex emotions on stage not only allows actors to explore creative choices but also invites the audience to engage in a dialogue about difficult topics.
Julie Noonan, director of theater at Washburn, also weighed in on the significance of this production.
“It’s a hard show, the roles in it have a lot of dimension to them. It’s really exciting to have the actors dig into some of that, especially young actors, who get a chance to play some of these complex characters. The story makes you laugh, and then shocks you at the same time and then you feel really conflicted about that situation. It takes you in a lot of different directions as an audience member,” Noonan said.
By presenting an honest portrayal of domestic issues, the production aims to bring awareness and encourage conversations in a comedic and easy-to-digest way. Noonan’s vision for the theater program emphasizes the importance of selecting works that resonate with audiences, making this performance particularly special.
As the cast and crew prepare for opening night, the collaborative spirit of the production is evident. Taylor Moore, a sophomore English education major playing the role ofSweetheart, shared her thoughts on the ensemble’s creativity.
“What I like about this show is that it’s very easy to be stereotyped because they’re very cookie-cutter characters, but I think all four of us are able to make it our own. We’ve made them very real people,” Moore said.
Moore’s enthusiasm for the collaborative nature of the production shows the importance of teamwork in the arts. She mentions her love for the piece and its comedic revenge themes.
“It’s very funny at the core while it talks about a very serious topic matter. I’m grateful that we’re able to do a show that covers this,” said Moore.
The Washburn theater department is always open to new members, regardless of major or year and every student is welcome to audition. There are two shows a semester that are free to enjoy for all Washburn students and open to new talent and aspiring actors.
“We want this to be a place where you can experience everything,” Noonan said. “It’s a chance to learn some of those skills which are transferable to many other areas. That’s what I really want folks to know is that you can come be involved in theater no matter your major. We want this to be a place for you to learn, either on the stage, behind the stage or in the audience.”
Edited by Jeremy Ford and Morgan Albrecht
