Edgy new drama production creates buzz

Five people sharing a summer beach house can lead to adventure and the ensemble cast of "Betty's Summer Vacation" will be doing just that.

The players are ecstatic to perform the piece, authored by playwright Christopher Durang.

"I was excited to hear that ACC was going to do a play like this," remarked actor David Johns. "I'm just waiting for the feedback to come!"

The entire cast acknowledged that the production will not be for everyone.

"It's a very fun play for people to read, and that might be what they should do before they come to this performance," said actress Susan Roberts.

One actor cast in the production later turned down a role after reading through the script.

Although the play is somewhat edgy, the cast feels it is such an interesting piece that it should be performed here. Johns felt it was necessary to mention that, "in the back of the play's script are notes that really just put this play into perspective on how the author presents every matter with simultaneous emotions of sadness, humor, and seriousness. Which is how much of life is."

"It takes a tremendous amount of work to pull a show together," said actor Charles Anthony Hood, "but it's worth it because it's a great play."

Some members of the "Betty" cast are not ACC students. Four out of the 20 actors and technicians are guest performers. Nora Resnick and Ashley Bratcher, guest artists playing the title characters, "Betty," and "Trudy," respectively, learned about the auditions through an advertisement placed in the Austin Chronicle. Guest director Jason Hays, requested by a faculty member, has participated in past ACC productions of "Anything Goes," and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."

Some students believe that it is unfair for people who aren't ACC students get a spot before them. There are no present rules that you have to be an ACC student to be in the shows. According to the Drama department website, "when appropriate or necessary, we also work with guest artists from the community with particular attention paid to individuals who have a level of experience from which student artists can learn." This disclaimer explains why it is necessary to have a guest actor as a title character rather than a studying theater student attending ACC.

"Betty's Summer Vacation" opens Friday, Feb. 22, and runs through the 24, then again from March 1-3. Performances will take place in the ACC Rio Grande Auditorium Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

The cast of Betty's summer vacation cannot wait until their performance and wants to make sure everyone who is comfortable with adult themes and language will come out.

"If you have an open mind please come out and see our show," exclaimed Johns. Nora Resnick and Susan Roberts added, laughing on stage, "You'll laugh! You'll cry! It's a wild ride."

The next show to be performed will be Bill Harris' "Robert Johnson: Trick of the Devil," directed by drama faculty member Marcus McQuirter. The play will run at the Long Center from April 18-20, then again from April 25-27. The play will be a collaboration with the ProArts Collective and the Black Arts Program. Auditions will be open to anyone the week of March 10. Times will be posted on the drama department's website at a later date.