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by MEGAN NORTHCOTE
Intern Lifestyles Reporter
Appalachian State University will work to solve crime this week.
“Hollywood director,” C.D. Weasel invites the Appalachian community to attend a private showing of his film, “Love’s Foolish Paradise” at Valborg Theater.
Dancers will perform musical pieces set in the 1920s as a three-course dinner is served.
But during the performance a murder will be committed, and it will be up to the audience to solve the case.
 Freshman theatre education major Will S. Gwyn rehearses Sunday as a mime and clown with the cast of “Murder at Greystone Manor: A Murder Mystery Dinner.” The audience enjoys a three-course dinner and entertainment while solving a 1920s style murder mystery. Photo by Alisha Park |
Weasel,
played by freshman Ryan P. Sheehe, is a part of a cast of nine actors
participating in this year’s Freshmen Showcase, titled “Murder at
Greystone Manor: A Murder Mystery Dinner”.
The
production, directed by Gordon A. Hensley, professor of theatre
performance, will be held tomorrow until Saturday at 7 p.m. in the
Valborg Theater. Tickets are $15.
This is the first murder mystery dinner performed at Appalachian.
“The show begins as soon as you step into the room,” Hensley said.
Each audience member is given a nametag and assumes a new identity as they actively participate in solving the murder mystery.
A group
of 50 freshmen auditioned and were selected in early October to
participate as actors, dancers and behind-the-scenes production workers
for the annual showcase.
“The
goal of the performance is to include new, incoming people to welcome
them to the program [of theater and dance],” Hensely said.
Murder
mystery dinners are very silly, forgiving of mistakes, and allow for a
lot of play, making this type of production ideal for freshmen who are
getting adjusted to performing on the college level, Hensley said.
Hensley
has directed a murder mystery performance before and performed with the
Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre group in Arizona for five years.
With the
help of senior education students, Hensley is responsible for
overseeing all aspects of the production including acting, dancing,
scenery, lighting, sound, costumes and food.
But ultimately, it is the efforts of the cast and crew and their interaction with the audience that make the show entertaining.
“I really love theater and I really love working with Hensley,” Annie L. McGee, freshman theater education major, said.
McGee, who plays the role of Clara Simpleton, has been acting since age 3.
“Everyone should have a little bit of exposure to the theatre arts,” McGee said. “It helps them get out of their comfort zone.”
Will S.
Gwyn, freshman theater education major, has been required to step far
out of his comfort zone during this production as he plays the role of
Herald Joy, a mime and clown.
Unable
to speak throughout the entire production, Gwyn has to rely on the
responses of the audience to make his character come to life.
Audience interaction is crucial for the dancers as well.
“There’s
lots of audience participation,” Katie M. Shoaf, sophomore English and
creative writing major, said. “It’s like we’re dancing in the audiences
laps.”
Shoaf
and senior psychology major Sara K. Zachary have worked together to
choreograph two of the three dance pieces for this performance.
The
pieces were drawn from popular dances and are centered around early
jazz and tap of the 1920s with elements of swing, the Charleston, and
pop dance thrown in, Emily Daughtridge, a dance professor and mentor
for the choreographers, said.
“Sarah
and I come from a really strong tap background,” Shoaf said. “We drew
from past experiences, our imaginations, and tons of dance history [in
creating these pieces].”
A lot of time and energy has gone into making this production a success in all areas.
“This show is unlike anything you’ve probably ever seen,” Hensley said.
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