It's "Intimate Apparel"
Andrew Riggs / The Collegian
“Intimate Apparel” is the story of a lingerie designer, played by Bryttani McGhee, who cinches a diverse cast of characters, including Carly Oliver, into her corset creations. The play opens today. |
By Shannon Miliken
The Collegian
Six Fresno State students will star in the production of “Intimate Apparel,” which opens tonight in the Arena Theatre.
The drama will be unlike anything ever presented at Fresno State before.
Director Thomas-Whit Ellis, who has taught in the drama department for nearly fifteen years and is coordinator of African-American theatre, said this is the first time he has chosen a play centered around an African-American female since he has been in Fresno.
Ellis believes the main female role of lingerie designer Esther, played by Bryttani McGhee, will provide insight into many aspects of what life was like for African-American women at the time the play takes place.
The play also addresses issues of religion, interracial relationships and prostitution in 1906. “It’s important to look at how people lived in this country 100 years ago,” Ellis said.
He usually chooses historic plays for this reason. However, this particular period piece will be much different than Ellis' production last year, “Gospel at Colonus,” which was a musical. “I have to mix it up,” Ellis said.
“Intimate Apparel” was also chosen because it incorporates African-Americans and Caucasians in the six-person cast. Usually, this type of diversity is not seen in an African-American play, Ellis said.
The stage manager for the production, Fresno State student Tara Cookson, agreed the play shows unusual diversity with the depiction of an African-American who designs corsets for uptown socialites and downtown prostitutes.
Cookson said the play is a great way to look back on the history of our culture and the interaction of races.
“It feels like you’re watching real people interact,” Cookson said. “The actors’ portrayal of the characters and the direction they’ve been given makes it very real.”
As stage manager, Cookson has the responsibility of making sure the show runs smoothly. This includes calling cues, running set changes, taking notes during rehearsals and taking care of the props and costume fittings, as well as several other tasks.
“It’s a big job,” Cookson said. “A lot of the work is done by the students, but there is some staff doing a lot of work as well. It’s kind of amazing, you can’t even count how many people come together to work on these things.”
Cookson said she believes Fresno State students should see “Intimate Apparel” because it is a “very rich story.”
If students do go, Ellis recommends they come with an open mind. “There are a number of little surprises in this play,” Ellis said. “Things people won’t expect to see in a play like this.”
“Intimate Apparel” runs Nov. 3-4 and 7-11 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 5 at 2 p.m, at the Arena Theatre in the Speech Arts Building.
Tickets are $15 for general admission, $13 for Fresno State faculty and $8 for Fresno State students.
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