Home 
Features GO Magazine CLOSER
CLOSER
|
By Jeff Petersen Observer Staff Writer t's funny but when Lisa K. Giambastiani first read parts of "Closer," she hated the play. Later, however, the 2002 Eastern Oregon University graduate changed her mind. Doing another scene with a friend for an acting class prompted her to sit down and read the whole script. "I got beyond some of the languange to the deeper meaning and loved it," said Giambastiani, who is directing the play that opens Oct. 10 at Schwarz Theatre on the EOU campus. The winner of the 1998 Olivier Award for Best Play kicks off the 2002-2003 EOU Theatre season. The 73rd season of live theater performance at EOU includes five premiere season shows and four Cutting Edge shows. "Closer," the first Edge offering, is a play "about life that no one talks about," said Giambastiani, from Drytown, Calif., near Sacramento, who is directing the play as her senior project. The piece looks frankly at the world of relationships. "The (four characters) try to become what they think other people want," Giambastiani said. "They don't allow themselves to be who they really are. In the end, they lose everything because they haven't been true to who they are." The play is for mature audiences only due to language and sexual content. Auditions and casting took place in June, and the four actors in the play had the summer to learn their lines. Rehearsals started Sept. 8. After graduating with a theater major and a business minor, Giambastiani hopes to go to graduate school and specialize in directing. "As an actor, you focus on your part and help the story along in your own way," she said. "As a director, you get to see the big picture and help interpret and tell the story as a whole." Giambastiani believes not only in telling stories but in second chances. When she gave "Closer" a second chance back in acting class, she found it had really powerful lessons about life. "(The play) can be offensive, but it really has an impact," she said. "I think it will touch a lot of lives." "CLOSER" By Patrick Marber Dates: Oct. 10-12, 8 p.m. and 17-19, 8 p.m. CAST Jen Butler as Alice Emily Nash-Gray as Anna Travis Gray as Larry Greg Rawlins as Dan CREW Set designer Tomi Griffin Light designer Bo Oliver Costume designer Jennifer Madison Hair/makeup Emily Nash-Gray Sound designer Brianne Grebil Director Lisa K. Giambastiani |
