Flu Season starts, institutionalizes tragic love story

"The Flu Season," a play written by Will Eno and directed by Drama faculty Jodi Jinks, is scheduled to open Fri, Feb 27 in the Gallery Theatre. The play runs on Feb. 27 and 28, Mar. 1, through 6-8, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.

The name "Flu Season" is because the play takes place between fall and spring, or flu season. It is a romantic tragedy, set in a mental institute where two disturbed patients, and two deranged doctors have found love. This complicated play is supplemented by an epilogue and prologue that help the audience follow the story, and also explains how the play was written.

"I was drawn to this piece because of the style. It's not a realistic or naturalistic play, and I chose this play because of the language," said Jinks. Jinks is also involved in productions such as ArtsAloud, SafePlace, and Carnival ah!.

The student actors feel confident that the audience will be engaged in this play. "The play embodies every emotion in the human spirit," said theatre major Nathan Kinsey.

The play consists of seven cast members with the epilogue role divided between two actors. The language of the play is heightened prose, with dark humor. "Our own life experiences [are] reflected [in] what we think of the play", said Astronomy major, James Leach.

ACC student actors are getting involved in the Austin community as well as in the ACC community. "When I came here, I had never done this before, and I decided to try. It's a close big group of people, and its amazing the quality of productions that goes on here at ACC. Its fantastic," said English major Corey Goerke.