McNeese Theatre Presents “The Flick”

McNeese State University’s W.A. and Dorothy Hanna Department of Performing Arts presents The Flick on Wednesday, April 22, through Saturday, April 25, in Tritico Theatre. The performances are at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday. 

The play takes place in a run-down movie theatre where three employees mop the floors and attend to one of the last 35mm film projectors in their area. Their tiny battles and not-so-tiny heartbreaks play out in the empty aisles, becoming more gripping than the lackluster, second-run movies on the screen. With a keen insight and a finely tuned comic eye, The Flick is a hilarious, heartrending cry for authenticity in a fast-changing world.  

The production is directed by guest director, Victoria Taylor, with McNeese students Moss Caplinger, Quinn Polk and Victor Storer in the starring roles.  

“The audience will have the unique experience of watching a flipped stage show, where the audience is on the stage and the actors are in the seats of the theatre,” said Caplinger, a freshman theatre arts major from Anacortes, Washington. 

Taylor, a Sam Houston State University (SHSU) graduate from Houston, Texas, says this is her first production as a professional. 

“I really started leaning into directing these last two to three years; before that, I was heavily focused on acting. At SHSU, I assistant directed two musicals my senior year: Carrie: The Musical and the collegiate premier of the new musical Austen’s Pride,” Taylor said. “I also had the opportunity to solo direct my first play, I and You.” 

The Flick, written by Annie Baker, won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and, according to Polk, is full of passion with moments of melancholy and angst.  

“This play explores a small setting with large, real-world commentaries and experiences that will undoubtedly regale audience members,” explained Polk, a senior theatre arts major from Opelousas. 

Storer says the mood of the production is awkward in a relatable way that includes some sadness along with moments of joy and hope.  

“I think the audience will enjoy the relatability of the characters the most,” said Storer, a freshman mass communication major from Merryville. “The dialogue is natural, and the characters talk like real people.”  

According to Taylor, the play is heavily based in realism with the three main characters leading mundane lives outside of work, and struggling to create genuine connections with their coworkers.  

“I hope the audience takes away the importance of genuine friendship and human connection,” Taylor said. “In a world so saturated by social media, real life can feel bland or disappointing and that is why we need people we care about in our life to share our pain and help each other out.” 

The actors in every McNeese production are students first. They juggle their coursework and studying time with rehearsals and preparation. Some handle it by scheduling classes with enough time in between to complete their assignments and prepare for tests.  

“I balance theatre, classes and studies by staying on a consistent schedule. It helps that I really enjoy rehearsals. It feels like a break from everything else rather than another factor of stress,” Storer said. 

Taylor says she has enjoyed the culture in Lake Charles and being in town for crawfish season is a dream come true.  

“The thing I have enjoyed most about working with McNeese students is they are always willing to do whatever crazy idea I have in my head. They take notes and adapt to change beautifully,” Taylor said. “They always come to rehearsal ready to work. You can tell they dedicate time outside of rehearsals to work on their characterization and memorization, so they are always coming prepared for whatever I throw at them.” 

General admission is $20 and free for students with their student ID. Tickets are available at the door or through the website at www.mcneese.edu/performingarts/boxoffice/.   

The McNeese Theatre program gives students from all areas of study an opportunity to express their creativity and become storytellers. The students build close friendships with cast, crew and professors that feel like a second home, according to Joshua Stenvick, McNeese assistant professor of theatre.  

Persons requesting accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the Office of Campus Compliance and Civility at least 72 hours before the event. Additional information is available from the Office of Campus Compliance and Civility, located in the Burton Business Center, Suite 407, by phone at 337-475-5428, by fax at 337-475-5603, or by email at compliance@mcneese.edu.