Lorenz earns Fine Arts in Theatre certificate

By: Katie McNamara

Posted: 4/17/09

Senior English major, Jennifer Lorenz will be the first student in five years to receive the Fine Arts in Theatre certificate. She successfully completed the required classes for the theatre arts program, and for her final project, she directed scenes from Shakespeare's As You like It.

The Fine Arts in Theatre certificate requirements consist of five classes and a final project, similar to most other certificate programs on campus. The five classes are Introduction to Art (a requirement for all Fine Art certificate students), Beginning Directing, Beginning Acting, European Masters of Drama, and an elective (Lorenz chose the Shakespeare class).

While directing scenes from As You Like It, she had the help of nine of her peers from the Abbey Players who adapted this classic play in the setting of modern day, downtown L.A., with characters playing stereotypical students from the University of California.

"I want my audience to identify with the characters and realize that the characters Shakespeare created are alive and well today in our society. We are not so disconnected from these 16th century characters as some would like to believe," Lorenz stated.

Although the settings and characters have been updated, one thing that is remaining unchanged is the text. Lorenz "felt it was unnecessary to change the wording. The costumes reflect contemporary young adults and the props suggested that the scenes are not taking place in the 17th century." She also added that "one does not need to understand 'Shakespearean lingo' in order to feel the tension, anger and love between these unique characters."

The inspiration for this final project came from her love of theater and Shakespeare. Lorenz knew that she wanted another opportunity to direct something, and this was her chance. As You Like It was always one of Lorenz's favorite Shakespeare works, and she wanted to direct something upbeat and humorous, which always has something going on. She noted that "it's easy for a play like this to relate to today - love, deception, and a lot of drama."

But why do a modern adaptation instead of portray the characters as they are originally written? Lorenz said, "It would've been easy enough to do typical Shakespeare, but I wanted to show a side of me in my project; I wanted to take the characters and make them mine."

Throughout the process of the project, Lorenz has to keep the Fine Arts Certificate committee updated. To prepare for the play, Lorenz submitted a slideshow of the cast and their roles, as well as gave constant updates on how the rehearsal process was coming along. The committee, which consists of Professors Donald Cox, Katherine Bentz, Lisa Cleveland and Fr. Iain G. MacLellan, O.S.B, sat in on the performance of As You Like It on March 30 in the Dana Center. Dr. Magnuson of the English Department served as a mentor to Lorenz throughout this process, although he is not a member of the committee, because of his connection to the theater organization on campus.

Lorenz said, "The hardest part of being a director is placing trust in others, and trusting them to be there. With this type of thing it is especially hard because it is not an Abbey Player show, and is not really going to be preformed in front of anyone but the committee and whoever comes to watch."