Dartmouth College​

May 19, 20, and 21, 2017

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Advisor: Dr. Irma Mayorga

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Away This Night interweaves the stories of three Shakespearean women who utilize cross-gender role play to achieve their individual objectives. Inspired by immersive and feminist theater strategies of theatricality and representation, this project served as a study of the intersections of gender identity, gender presentation, race, sexuality, and ability in physical space.

 

The performance moved audience members through three environments built in the stage-house of the Department of Theater's large proscenium theater, the Moore Stage. Audience members traveled through an immersive journey that visited upon the worlds of As You Like It, Twelfth Night, and The Merchant of Venice, all designed by Solomon.

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Students who have completed at least five major courses and who have an average in the major of 3.4 or higher (and a College average of 3.0 or higher) are eligible to apply for the honors program. An honors project normally extends through two terms and receives two major credits.

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In the first term of her project, working as a dramaturg, Solomon selected specific scenes from As You Like It, Twelfth Night, and The Merchant of Venice that featured cross-gender dramaturgy. Solomon shaped these scenes in order that they would flow together and progress in a logical sequence for her planned immersive theater experience. As well, she conducted research on the development and style of immersive theater to inform her scenic design, both in terms of environment and direction. 

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Pedagogy on this project included guiding the student through the Honors Thesis application process and developing a clear plan of action for a project that encompassed two areas of expertise: dramaturgy and scenic design. Dramaturgical instruction included helping Solomon locate and interweave cross-gender scenes from three Shakespearean plays as well converting many scenes into multi-voiced ensemble pieces for an ensemble of eight actors. Advisement also closely counseled inventive and bold, non-naturalistic staging choices. 

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Mentorship and collaboration with the student included weekly one-on-one consultation meetings in the first term of the project for script development and extensive scenic, acting, and direction planning for this experimental production. As well, mentorship included helping Solomon negotiate work with a visiting co-director. In the project's second term advisement carried on into auditions, rehearsals, and producing elements.  

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