The Adams State University Theatre production An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe will chill you to the bone. The two acts, directed by senior theatre majors Lauren Trujillo and Taylor Trujillo, will open at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 18 and continue nightly through October 21, in the Xperimental Theatre.
The sisters share an admiration of Poe and his work. His writings brought comfort and consolation to Lauren during a difficult time when she was in middle school, "I connected with the humanity in his work." Taylor remembers as an elementary student attending her first theatre experience including a production of Tell-Tale Heart.
An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe includes six of Poe’s short stories and four poems. According to Lauren, the end of Poe’s life was unusual. He went missing and a week later was discovered on a park bench delirious and died three days later. "Taylor and I directed the play as if Poe is reliving his stories that last week of his life. Poe orchestrates the change from one tale to the next."
Part of the process of preparing the actors includes sitting in the pitch black of the Xperimental Theatre sharing scary stories. "This production has a healthy level of suspense with the perfect Halloween feel," Taylor said. She and Lauren chose the theme, "examining the darkness within ourselves, and exploring how we as artists relate to our work."
Natives of Del Norte, Lauren and Taylor enjoy the collaborative process of theatre. "We didn’t disagree on anything," Taylor said. The sisters also appreciate the creative team of students who helped with everything from designing costumes, light, sound, set, and assisting with promotion, box office, and stage managing. "The entire team and company has been behind us and the production has gone off without a hitch. We feel really supported by the other students and the theatre faculty," Lauren added.
Watching the freshman actors grow and develop during their stage work has also been a pleasure for the two directors. "I like working with different people and everyone is so wonderfully talented in what they do," Taylor said.
Due to subject matter, the directors recommend audience members be 12-years-old or older. Flashing lights in the second act may cause seizures.
Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling 719-587-8499. Tickets prices are $9 general admission; $8 seniors and high school students, and free admission for ASU faculty, staff, and students.
