As an Assistant Director to Doug Brown for “The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later,” Emmie staged a scene, coached monologues, helped actors learn proper diction with masks, took notes during runs, and ran warm-ups nightly. The performance was performed on the Pauline stage to a very limited audience, and live streamed to increase the reach of the show.
A director’s note written by Emmie from the perspective of Doug Brown:
“Going into this semester, we as a department knew that we had to get back to live theatre again. It’s what sustains our souls as artists. We needed to be in a rehearsal room again, to sit on the edge of our seats as the house lights lower, to tell stories that need to be told; of which there is no shortage. Over the summer, I led our department in a series of virtual play readings to keep us connected as a company. When we read The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later, a rich discussion unfolded about the Black Lives Matter movement. How do our communities address human rights atrocities? When horrific crimes happen in our own backyards, how do our towns and cities react? These questions were at the forefront of our minds while we sculpted tonight’s performance as an ensemble. Though the actors tonight will be six feet apart and masked, human connection shines through. The collaborative space that we cherish in this department supports a company of theatre makers who all had a hand in creating beautiful, intimate ‘Moments.’ These moments preserve Matt’s story. He continues to make a difference.”
Emmie D'Amico 