major, takes the stage in the Theatre
Department’s final mainstage pro-
duction of the year, “Our Country’s
Good.” Photo by Lisa Stemmons.
The Theatre Department’s performance of “Our Country’s Good” opened last night in Hartmann Center. It is the final show of the 2015-2016 theatre season.
The play, written by British playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker in 1988, centers around a group of convicts putting on their own play in an English penal colony in 18th century Australia.
“[The play] involves the settling of Australia when England used it as a penal colony,” Susan Felder, assistant professor of theatre and director of “Our Country’s Good,” said. “The new land had to decide whether it was simply another jail to send people to – or whether with art and culture and new beginning, they could create a new nation.”
Felder said “Our Country’s Good,” which is a play within a play, is based on true events. It centers on the first true play performed in Australia.
The play will be final show of the semester and for many performers.
“I suppose I hadn’t really thought about it being my last show until two nights ago when we first ran the show in costume,” Ali Pinkerton, senior theatre arts and psychology double major, said. “I mean, I had thought about graduating, but it didn’t feel real to me. It wasn’t until I was standing alone offstage watching the final scene that I felt my Bradley experience coming to a close … I can’t lie, I got a little teary-eyed.”
Senior theatre arts and political science double major Derek Yeghiazarian said he was struck by how far he’d come in his last four years.
“As [a] senior in a show, I have the opportunity to put all the pieces I have learned in my classes together,” Yeghiazarian said. “At least for me, there is a huge gulf in the type of experience performing has become since freshman year. The work I do now is far more personal and much more rewarding.”
Felder said the idea of graduating can affect the seniors’ performances.
“The students are working really hard,” Felder said. “The graduating seniors have a lot on their minds – in a few weeks, they will be entering the real world. I think that actually feeds the play – starting over, not knowing what’s out there.”
As for thinking ahead, Pinkerton said she has advice for students both graduating and staying at Bradley.
“For everyone: As my beautiful director Susan Felder says, you are enough,” Pinkerton said. “It may sound silly, but it is true. That has been an incredibly difficult concept to understand. But, ultimately, knowing I am enough has helped me immensely on stage and even more in life. Since I’ve learned that, I don’t feel the need to impress or be any more or less than I am most of the time. That change doesn’t happen overnight though, so be patient, but be persistent.”
Senior cast members of the play include Yeghiazarian, Pinkerton, television arts and theatre arts double major Kyle Peck and theatre arts major Aris-Allen Roberson.
Ryan Mitacek, theatre arts and English double major, is the only graduating crew member.
Performances of “Our Country’s Good” run until May 1, with Thursday through Saturday performances at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinee performances at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for faculty and seniors and $12 for the general public.
