Students present ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ in ECU/Loessin Playhouse season finale

Prepare for the unexpected and lots of laughs in the East Carolina University School of Theatre and Dance’s production of “The Play that Goes Wrong” opening today in McGinnis Theatre.

ECU’s final performance of the academic year is a play-within-a-play that follows a company of actors trying to perform a 1920s mystery called “The Murder at Haversham Manor.” The cast and crew struggle to keep the show going despite collapsing sets, forgotten lines, disappearing props and missing actors.

A unique aspect of the production will be ECU students improvising some scenes.

“Improvisation during the play is one of the coolest parts because it brings a new magic to each performance,” said ECU senior Josh Seabrook of Charlotte. “Every single time we do the show something new happens in it, or something new is said or chosen by your fellow actor. Basically, you have to stay on your toes a little bit, so you don’t miss something new and are prepared for what’s coming next.”

Seabrook portrays Trevor Watson, the company’s lighting and sound operator, who’s in charge of giving all the light and sound cues for the performance. “Sometimes he’s even giving the characters their lines if they forget them,” he said.

This is Seabrook’s sixth and final production before he graduates in May with a degree in theatre with a concentration in acting. He said the show has many technical and scenic elements that require specificity.

In a play-within-a-play, ECU students portray a cast and crew trying to perform a 1920s murder mystery amid chaos on the set. (Photo by Steven Mantilla)

“Even during the improv parts of the show, we have spent a lot of hours each day working on how to make each moment work from the tiniest moments you wouldn’t even think of to huge, dynamic bits,” he said.

“I want to give a special shout out to the stage crew, designers and everyone who helped to create this show behind the scenes,” Seabrook said. “A lot of work went into this show behind the curtains, and we actors appreciate it and don’t want their work to go unnoticed.”

One of those people is ECU senior Sophie Brotemarkle, who was chosen to serve as assistant director for the production. The role has allowed her to learn more about the process of making theater, being involved in production team meetings and watching how designers work.

“I was also excited to see how a seasoned director, Trent Blanton, works and directs actors to acquire an effective performance while letting the actors make their own discoveries,” said Brotemarkle of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

“This play takes a village to create and perform, and I’m only appreciating even more how collaborative theatre is,” she said. “Additionally, I’ve grown more comfortable in a position of leadership. I’ve learned to give notes to the actors, many of whom are my classmates, and watch them take what I give and build upon it further.”

Brotemarkle, who is majoring in acting with a minor in creative writing, previously acted in “Pride and Prejudice,” directed by Bryan Conger, and “The Last Firefly,” directed by Blanton.

With “The Play That Goes Wrong,” Brotemarkle said she hopes audiences will recognize how essential comedy is in life.

Theatre and dance students will present the ECU/Loessin Playhouse season finale through Sunday. (Photo by Steven Mantilla)

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