Identity, unity and diversity grace 'Charisma'

By Maggie Beidelman

The elements of dance, voice and song prove essential in the search for identity and spirituality in "Charisma," the student-produced performance which opens tomorrow night in Fess Parker Theatre.

"This show is an exploration of spirituality through the performing arts," senior student-director Michael Donohoe said. "It's an expression of our true passions, an exhibition of part of our souls."

The personal atmosphere created by the actors' willingness to share part of themselves makes the search for self a communal effort. The cast, a mere seven actors, shares the same intent to bring to life the everyday ineffable struggles of mankind to express one's self, to belong and to be an individual.

In this 6th annual production of "Charisma," each member performs his or her own piece, plus a few group pieces. "We're so diverse, but we're all artists," Donohoe told his cast before rehearsal Sunday night. "First and foremost, we're artists and this art unifies us."

Several members of the cast created original pieces for the show. Sophomore Scotty Arnold composed a song and senior Mateja Schuck arranged a melody of Appalachian hymns. Other performers choreographed their own dances or created their own monologues. Central to the show is a poem by E.E. Cummings called "I Thank You, Lord," because it is performed each year as a part of the show.

The cast has been working on the show since the end of the last school year. Production began in September with a retreat, Donohoe said, and "we have been meeting two to three times a week up until this quarter." The dedication of the actors is obvious, each one attending early rehearsals before classes nearly every day this quarter.

The production of "Charisma" is especially interesting because of its small size. With the inclusion of the cast and crew, only about 15-20 people are working on the show.

"Charisma" will be held in Fess Parker Theatre, a small venue inside of Mayer Theatre that seats only 130 people and allows for a more personal atmosphere. The attention of each audience member will be absorbed by the close range and strong energy of the actors, only a few feet away.

The cast described the show as rewarding and fulfilling. As Donohoe said, "We started from nothing," and "seeing it come to life" was amazing. The actors took their inspiration from such pieces as Thomas Hardy's poem, "I Look into My Glass," spiritual hymns and the actor's personal experiences. Donohoe describes being a part of the show as "being the most vulnerable you can feel" because as performers in the search for identity, "we're not just acting, we're being ourselves."

This show is not just a play, recital or musical. It is a compilation of diversity in which the common theme of the quest for self unifies each member of cast, crew and audience. It's a show of emotion, reality and unity.

"It's a show," said Donohoe, "about being passionate about what you do."

Contact Maggie Beidelman at (408) 551-1918 or mbeidelman@scu.edu.