W&M Theater Soars with “The Seagull”

Being a member of the William and Mary community means that you not only get a fantastic education, but you also get to be a part of and watch some of the most incredible theater, exhibitions, and programs that Williamsburg has to offer.  With four different types of theaters alone on the campus: black box, lab, studio, and main stage, your theater viewing experience is sure to blow you away.  This past Saturday at Phi Beta Kappa Hall the William and Mary theater department put on a production of Anton Chekov’s “The Seagull.”  Since I am in love with my tour guide pals, we got together and went to go see it. The play was a intermingling of human angst, love, the desire for success, and lust.  A truly epic combination. It was directed by Professor Richard Palmer, and let me just tell you his directing abilities are stellar.  I not only felt as though I was watching a professional production, but I was so engaged in the play that I found myself on the edge of my seat the entire time.  Even my buddy, a scruffy hippie dude in an all male a cappella group here on campus, looked at me as the lights went down at the end of the play and said that it gave him chills.  I can guarantee you that the production on Broadway right now pales in comparison to the W&M cast.  Fantastic.

William and Mary theater also gives its students the opportunity to be a part of the entire process. Just last week a group of seniors put on the Greek tragedy “Medea.”  Completely student run from the costumes to the lighting, the casting and directing, the play sold out every seat for all the nights it was playing. The talent at this school is incredible.  No wonder we can boast of famous alumni like Glenn Close!  From theater to stage production the opportunities afforded to you via the William and Mary theater department will put you in a position to be successful in any range of the professional world.  I am so thrilled that I had the chance just to be a spectator.

Chloe Lewis
Class of 2011
Tour Guide