UCCS Theater Company will perform “Act a Lady” by American playwright Jordan Harrison over the next two weekends at the Ent Center for the Arts.
The play, directed by University of Colorado Colorado Springs student Quinn Smola, takes place in a small Midwestern town during the Prohibition era. The men of the town want to put on a fundraising play that involves them wearing elaborate women clothing, which causes a bit of a stir among the town and within each performer, as they learn more about the complexity of identity.
“It focuses a lot on what is considered art, and how our perception of the theater can influence gender roles, our own perception of gender, sexuality and interconnection,” Smola said.
Smola pitched the play last spring as part of the UCCS theater program, interested in sharing the lesser-performed show with audiences.
“It’s a script that not a lot of people have heard of before. It’s not very widely performed, I would say, which made it even more intriguing to me,” Smola said. “As a queer person, the queer undertones and overtones of the script really jumped out to me, as well as it being such a great comedy.”
This show will be Smola’s directorial debut, working with fellow students to craft the play. The biggest challenge he’s faced in directing this piece is navigating the more surreal parts of the script, he said. But the enthusiasm from those involved in the project has made the process a bit easier.
“I feel like all of us are just in it for the same reason of creating this fun, silly piece of art, and we’re all equally passionate about it,” he said. “It’s just been a joy, and it’s made me realize that I really love directing.”
A lead actress in the play even learned accordion for her role — and will be playing the instrument throughout.
Ultimately, those interested in attending should look forward to a comedy with some great emotional moments. While the play is set a century ago, the topics of art, gender and identity remain relevant, Smola said.
“I would like for people to walk away thinking about their own opinions and ideas about what makes art art, and how we could be more accepting and empathetic towards each other when it comes to expressing ourselves, whether it be through performances like this or just through personal self-expression,” Smola said.
