AUK Drama Program Stages The Games Afoot

The Drama Program at AUK presented its annual spring theatre production, The Games Afoot, in April, in the Black Box Theatre. The play was written by Ken Ludwig and the production was directed by Assistant Professor of Theatre/Drama, Dr. Kathleen R. Downs, under the auspice of the Music and Drama Department. The company consisted of 27 members and volunteers and featured a cast of veteran AUK actors. Over a period of eleven weeks, the cast and crew worked together to bring the words to life.

Ludwig's play centers on the famous 19th century American actor, William Gillette. Gillette was famous for his portrayal of the Sherlock Holmes character on stage and a pioneer in the realistic style of acting. Playing Holmes made Gillette wealthy and famous. He used his wealth to build a 24-room castle with many futuristic gadgets built into it, on the Connecticut River . In this tale of intrigue, set in 1936, the audience was introduced to Gillette (Faisel Alluhaidan), his somewhat dotty and overprotective mother, Martha (Yasmeen Abdelnaeem), a not very clever up-and-coming young actor, Simon Bright (Samer Abou Zeid), a beautiful young actress, Aggie Wheeler (Sarah Al-Khulaifi), Felix (Yousef Maged Nayef), who plays Watson to Gillette's Sherlock, Felix's wife, Madge (by Maryam Hassanein), and theatre critic Daria Chase (Raghda Rustom). Ludwig aslo adds police Inspector Harriet/Harry Goring (Rama Sabbagh/Omar Al-Farsi), who manages to solve crimes despite often missing obvious clues.

The crew combined their technical and artistic talents to create the setting and mood for the play. Maryam Bin-Jassem and Dalal Al-Zaid handled the lighting, while Mohamad Abdulasalam and Abdulaziz Al-Rasheed managed the sound. Fatema Al-Mazyed and Tamara Khodor Labbane put the costumes together and Tamara Khodor Labbane applied the makeup with help from Maryam Hassanein, while Layali Al- Qarooni and Mohammed T. Al-Saeed supplied the props. Set Construction was led by Mubarak M. Al-Mushwit, assisted by Sarah Yousef Mukhaizeen and Dorotes De Leo. The poster was designed by Muhannad Al-Wazzen, who also recorded the play with help from Al-Anoud Ahmed.

Maryam Hassanein served as Stage Manager, Ken Downs as the Set Designer/Technical Director, and Masswo Issi, aided by Nezar Fouad, was the Public Relations Director/ House Manager.

"As we all struggle for a semblance of order in our lives, at a time when maybe we all don't laugh enough, this hard-working ensemble group of students, graduates and faculty offered the AUK community a chance to laugh. We hope you enjoyed it!" Said Downs

Some of the students were registered for the Theatre Production class, while others were returning alumni. The Department of Music and Drama offers a wide range of opportunities for both beginning and advanced students within the context of a liberal arts education. The Music and Drama faculty of talented professionals work closely with students to prepare them for campus concerts and plays, and to academically challenge them in courses on performing arts. The department fosters artistic proficiency, cultural appreciation, a sense of community, and a lifelong commitment to the arts.

Images from the play