February 7, 2024

SVSU presents ‘Noises Off’

The Saginaw Valley State University theatre department is giving audiences a behind-the-scenes look at putting on a show with its production of “Noises Off,” a PG-13 play that runs from Wednesday, Feb. 21-Sunday, Feb. 25 in the Malcolm Field Theatre for Performing Arts.

Written by English playwright Michael Frayn, “Noises Off” is a play within a play, focusing on the overworked and unstable cast, crew and director of a fictional sex comedy called “Nothing On.” With scenes from “Nothing On” interspersed throughout the play, the format of the show poses a particular challenge for the cast.

“We’re all playing actors who are playing characters different from who they are,” said Alex Kulmacz, a professional and technical writing major from Essexville, in the role of Gary Lejeune. “You have to play a character who’s playing a different character who’s experiencing a different emotion than the character that they’re playing, it’s a headache to practice for sure.”

In addition to Kulmacz, the cast of “Noises Off” includes:

* Scout McCulloch, a communication and theatre education major from Port Huron, as Dotty Otley.

* Austin Butterfield, a communication and theatre education graduate, as Lloyd Dallas.

* Emma-Gene Pichan, a theatre major from Frankenmuth, as Brooke Ashton.

* Paige Tuckerman, a theatre major from DeWitt, as Poppy Norton-Taylor.

* Noah Johnson, a political science major from Lake Orion, as Frederick Fellowes.

* Dana Samalik, a communication and theatre education major from Essexville, as Belinda Blair.

* Alex Dubowski, a theatre major from Big Rapids, as Tim Allgood.

* Isabel Losa, a theatre major from Saginaw, as Selson Mowbray.

Johnson stressed that the show is unlike what audiences may be used to. “‘Noises Off’ feels like the theatre version of a rollercoaster. From the start of the show to the fall of the final curtain, the show keeps up its high energy, and as more twists come into play, the funnier it gets.”

Despite the challenges that the complicated concept poses for the cast and crew, director Tommy Wedge, associate professor of theatre, is excited and proud of the work the students have done.

“‘Noises Off’ is incredibly hard to do well, and these student actors, designers and crew are knocking it out of the park,” Wedge said. “In between laughing hysterically, I hope the audience appreciates the tremendous artistry and effort on display from the SVSU student artists at work.”

Performance of “Noises Off” will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 21 through Thursday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Feb. 25 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online (link: https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/27468/svsuperforming-arts-center) or in person at the SVSU box office.