With dozens of production experiences to draw upon, four Baker University students are heading up the creation of their final Baker show, “Ghosts.”
Seniors Brian Berrens, Tracy Fischer, Patrick Lattin and Amanda Luthi are students in the Production Process theater class, which requires them to create a completely student-run production.
Fischer is acting as director.
“The seniors are in charge, and while there is faculty guidance, it is a matter of finding time to work with all of the students’ stress. But it is finally a chance to show what we can do as far as our full abilities,” Fischer said.
Luthi, who is working as the stage manager for the show, said the group’s familiarity has lead to a positive production atmosphere.
“It is a lot more laid back since it is just student work,” Luthi said. “We’ve gone to school together for so long we know what each person is capable of and trust each other. We know who is capable of what roles, and we don’t have to worry about babysitting anyone.”
Berrens, who is acting in the production, said the student-run production is not very different from other productions he has done before.
“It is going fine,” Berrens said. “It is a student director, and it is not vastly different. I feel confident with what we’re doing in rehearsal … It is in the early stages. We are not anywhere near finished, and that is not abnormal.”
Berrens said working on a show as part of a class requirement has added stress factors.
“I think there’s a certain amount of pressure that is there to it being my last show,” he said. “I want to make sure I land on a good foot. There is also pressure that it is for a grade. I’m having my acting looked at closely.”
All of the energy involved with creating such a production is intertwined with realizing that a theater career at Baker is coming to a close.
Fischer said that idea brings both joy and sadness.
“It is kind of bittersweet,” she said. “I remember everything that has happened. We have some friction of past events and people have to work together. It will be extremely different once we graduate, so this is a chance for us to say goodbye to each other in a long, drawn-out way.”
“Ghosts” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. April 19 through 21 and 26 through 28 in Darby Hope Theater.