“From the writers, to actors, to directors, to promotion, this is a culmination of a ton of work, and I think it’ll be worth every second of watching,” says Union senior Jay Falls.
An award-winning actor and playwright himself, Falls sees the festival as a chance for all kinds of theatre artists to explore new territory, grow their craft, and make lasting connections with others. In addition to acting in the festival, Falls is directing two plays - one written by multiple-time PEN Prison Writing Award winner Derek R. Trumbo, Sr. and another by high school teacher and Union graduate student Seth Grindstaff.
“These writers have stories they need to tell, and I think they’re worth listening to,” Falls says.
[PHOTO: Falls (right) works with actors during a rehearsal of Grindstaff's play (photos by David Cody Saylor).]
History Professor Dr. Joseph Pearson had never ventured into playwriting before, but Dr. Jayme Kilburn’s call for original plays inspired him to turn his “pique and concern with social media and its effects on our society” into “Babel.”
“Honestly, I was pretty nervous about submitting it,” Pearson says. “Allegory is not very popular in 2024, but my wife encouraged me, and Prof. Kilburn was very supportive, too. To my surprise and joy, the students liked and responded to it.”
