The newest play of Otterbein's Theatre and Dance program, "Everybody" will take center stage at the Campus Center "Pit" Theatre.
"Everybody" is based on the 15th century morality play "The Summoning of Everyman," and tells the story of the titular character, when, after faced with death, goes on a journey with characters such as Friendship, Kinship, and Stuff as he travels to "the great beyond."
Nate Dirksen, a senior acting major, plays the titular character Everybody. He said of the production, "That story ["Everyman"] and this one are both about a person who is faced with death and is desperate to get somebody to come with them. You'll have to see the end."
Unlike the last production put on by the Otterbein Theatre and Dance Department, "Cabaret," "Everybody" will take place in the "Pit." This was both due to logistic and creative reasons.
Quincy Shandlin, a senior acting major, who plays Kinship, A, Mind, and Evil said, "I don't think ["Everybody"] would've been picked if we were doing it in Cowan. It's a pretty intimate play, and that it might not read well from a balcony, for example. The audience is kind of part of the show in a lot of ways. We interact with audience, so that's a lot easier to do in the Pit."
Although this show will deal with heavy topics such as death, Dirksen and Shandlin hope that this show will encourage people to focus on the present and enjoy life.
"By the end of the show, I hope that people have a more sincere understanding for the value of life," Dirksen said. "I think this show is a good reminder that the only thing guaranteed in life is the end of it, so enjoy what you have and appreciate what you do have."
"Everybody" has started it second week of performances, and will be shown at the Campus Center "Pit" Theater Oct. 27 through 28. An audience advisory has been issued by the department for adult themes and languages.
