Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 7/19/00
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple   

Editors: Photo accompanies release   Please note local interest
STUDENTS STAGE SUMMER PLAY AS LABOR OF LOVE
     HAMMOND -- For the Southeastern Louisiana University students staging the dark
comedy "Boys' Life" this summer, the project is a labor of love.
     They are getting neither pay nor credit for the work they're putting into the production,
which will run July 27-29, at Vonnie Borden Theatre in D Vickers Hall. Yet, when theater
professor Kay Files floated the idea of an all-student summer production to her advanced acting
class students last spring, "They all said, 'Yes! Yes!'" Files said.
     The students were ready and willing to tackle the extra work both for the experience and
for the love of the theater, they said.
          Senior Shane Stewart volunteered to direct "Boys' Life." "He begged," said Files.
     Stewart, who is pursuing a double major in English and theater, wanted to add directing
experience to his already lengthy Southeastern Theatre acting credits. The Greensburg resident
has been in university productions of "The Second Shepherd's Play," "Fortenbras," "Tartuffe,"
"The Boys Next Door," "Hedda Gabbler" and "All in the Timing."
     He recruited his fellow Southeastern actors Ryan Perea of Franlinton, Tim Muller of
Covington and Daniel Trentecosta of Chalmette for the lead roles. Also in the cast are Jonathan
Majoue of Baton Rouge, Katherine Duvic of New Orleans, Michelle Cudd and Myrie Marten of
Hammond,  Erin DePaula of Ponchatoula, and Emily Caruthers of  Denham Springs.
     In addition to directing duties, Stewart is designing sound and music. Majoue and Misty
Pelas of Venice are handling set and lighting design, while Abby Moonshower of Baton Rouge is
stage manager.
     Stewart said he took on the task of directing "Boys Life" because he wanted to know "the 
                             (MORE)
BOYS' LIFE   Add One
other side of the coin." The biggest challenge, he said, has been "Schedules, definitely schedules!
It's tough getting everybody in one place!"
     The rewards come from watching the process gel, he said. "Watching it form from a
script into a picture is always the most fun. You start off with a blank slate, then you get up there
on stage and move stuff around -- 'go here, go there' -- and it turns into a play."
     "Shane has a real gift as a director," said Files. "He has a very good visual sense." She
said it can sometime be difficult for a student actor to step out from the cast and become the boss.
"It's a real test for him, but I think he's handling that very well," she said. "One of the things we
teach is a professional attitude. The director is the director, no matter who it is."
     "Whether the director is a friend or a student, the same respect has to be given," agreed
Trentecosta, who has acted along side Stewart in many Southeastern productions. 
     Files said the students chose to stage "Boys' Life" because they thought it is a production
their peers to which their peers will relate. "It's set post-college, with characters about 28-29
years old," Files said. "They are struggling, refusing to grow up." 
     The dark comedy by Howard Korder portrays scenes from a year in the life of three young
college friends as they struggle to cross the bridge from boys to men. The edgy comedy deals
with contemporary issues such as dating, friendship, male bonding and accepting the
responsibilities of growing up. She added that because of language, the play is suited for
audiences under 16 years of age.
     Curtain time for "Boys' Life" is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $3 general admission, $2 for
senior citizens, and Southeastern faculty, staff and students. Tickets will be available at the
theater box office in the lobby of D Vickers Hall beginning at 6 p.m. on performance nights.
     For additional information about "Boys' Life," call 504-549-3546.
                             -SLU-
Press release available online at www.selu.edu./NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsp00.htm