by Shona Song
Students Yu-Han He and Sharlene Ku work side by side as co-directors and actors, respectively, on the English Department Annual Play production of Tennessee Williams’ mystery drama, Suddenly Last Summer, which will be performed on June 4th at the Fu Jen University Arens Multi-functional Conference Centre.
Crew, photograph by Jean He
Every year, students of the English Department collaborate to put on a theater performance known as the Annual Play. Instructed by Dr. John Basourakos and led by co-directors Yu-Han He and Sharlene Ku, this year’s production will feature Suddenly Last Summer, the 1958 one-act play by critically-acclaimed American author, Tennessee Williams. This Southern gothic melodrama centers on a cast of family members who have conflicting accounts about the life and character of Sebastian Venable, who died the previous summer. Determined to preserve her late son’s reputation, Mrs. Violet Venable (played by Sharlene Ku) discusses a donation with Doctor Cukrowicz (played by Alvin Lin) to his medical institute, only if he will take in her niece Catherine (played by DeeDee Tsai), who had witnessed Sebastian’s death, as a patient and perform on her a high-risk surgical procedure. Catherine can’t count on her immediate family, her mother Mrs. Holly (played by Yu-Han He), and brother George (played by Alexander Ke), for help as they are dependent on Mrs. Venable for their livelihood. As the young doctor uncovers why Mrs. Venable insists that Catherine’s mental health can only be helped by receiving a lobotomy, the audience will slowly find out just how far a mother would go to preserve her son’s reputation.
Typically, in past theater productions of the English Department, only one student director works alongside the actors to make decisions for the production. This year's ensemble, however, stands out from those of the past as it is led by two student directors, Yu-Han and Sharlene, who are performing as actors as well. Both of them had joined the crew intending to be actresses, but when they realized that none of the candidates for director had any theatre experience, they had a change of plan. With Yu-Han's previous experience as a leading actress in the 2020 Annual Play and in the lighting crew, paired with Sharlene's participation as an actor and as assistant director in the previous two Senior Plays, the two concluded that it would be best for the production to co-direct. By sharing the role and its workload, they could be actors as they had planned and offer guidance to the lower-classmen who had shown interest in directing. "The students who had intended to be the director now work with us as assistant directors," Sharlene explained. "We hope that they will be able to learn from us and understand how theater in the English Department works, and stay excited about theater." Yu-Han shares this optimistic perspective, saying, “I also endeavor to lighten the atmosphere during rehearsals and preparations so the crew members would not feel burdened by their responsibilities.”
Typically, in past theater productions of the English Department, only one student director works alongside the actors to make decisions for the production. This year's ensemble, however, stands out from those of the past as it is led by two student directors, Yu-Han and Sharlene, who are performing as actors as well. Both of them had joined the crew intending to be actresses, but when they realized that none of the candidates for director had any theatre experience, they had a change of plan. With Yu-Han's previous experience as a leading actress in the 2020 Annual Play and in the lighting crew, paired with Sharlene's participation as an actor and as assistant director in the previous two Senior Plays, the two concluded that it would be best for the production to co-direct. By sharing the role and its workload, they could be actors as they had planned and offer guidance to the lower-classmen who had shown interest in directing. "The students who had intended to be the director now work with us as assistant directors," Sharlene explained. "We hope that they will be able to learn from us and understand how theater in the English Department works, and stay excited about theater." Yu-Han shares this optimistic perspective, saying, “I also endeavor to lighten the atmosphere during rehearsals and preparations so the crew members would not feel burdened by their responsibilities.”
“I fully trust every person in the crew. I believe that all of them would spare no efforts to accomplish and present their best to the audience.” --- Yu-Han He
Most students who participate in the Annual Play have to devote many hours each week to rehearsals, so it may seem impossible to juggle school work, performing, and directing all at the same time. In spite of this, both directors showed great teamwork and efficiency by dividing tasks and paying close attention to one another’s feedback. The two of them take turns directing and acting while the assistant directors give advice and feedback. When they share a scene, they rely on the assistant directors, Young Tsai and Zoey Her, for oversight. Reflecting on their progress, Sharlene shared, “I get to learn a lot, and even though it feels kind of like being forced to grow up suddenly, I don’t hate it. I like being able to do work and make progress; it’s a satisfying thing to do."
All are welcome to see the English Department’s revival of Suddenly Last Summer. As described by Mary Ann Johnson in the Maryland Theatre Guide, “it is a tightly-packed play that will reward you with gorgeous words and some uncomfortable truths—that hold true today.” Details: Dates and times: 18:00, June 4th Location: Fu Jen University Arens Multi-functional Conference Centre Advisories: Adult language and themes, smoking, and drug use. |
Suddenly Last Summer- Poster, provided by Jean He