Directed by performing arts faculty member, Peter Parisi, Milton’s production of Moliere’s The School for Wives taught a lesson in comedy to audiences this past weekend. The fall 1212 Play starred Frank Smith (Class I) as Arnolphe, Michelle Kim (Class II) as his young ward Agnes, and Gordon Sayre (Class II) as Agnes’ handsome suitor, Horace. Outside this love triangle, the cast of players included Gemma Soldati as Alain, Lexa Gluck as Georgette, Kabeer Parwani as Chrysalde, Anthony Portillo as Enrique, Corina Chase as Oronte and Paloma Velazquez as the Notary. Assistant directors were Sarah Medeiros and Maria Steiner.
1212 productions started nearly 20 years ago in room 1212 of Warren Hall. The performances evolved from play readings to fully staged productions under the direction of former faculty member Nina Seidenman. When room 1212 was converted into English classrooms, the 1212 productions relocated to the current space in Wigg Hall.
The space may have changed, but the philosophy is the same: intimate productions with small casts, minimal technical demands and challenging material for both actors and audience.
“Not relying on the spectacle of theater allows the focus to move farther away from special effects and the trickery of stagecraft and lighting and to highlight the magic the actors conjure up on the stage.
“The typically stark line between audience and actor is blurred and sometimes completely erased by their close proximity to each other, making the experience less like watching and more like participating in the production. 1212 operates on one simple principle: with a small space and a small audience, an intimate experience is guaranteed for audience members and for actors.”
– Collin Davis ‘02
