North Central theatre major writes, directs, stages original comedy, set in 1939

North Central College’s Student Directed Series student dpresents “Miranda Writes,” part screwball comedy and part whodunit, written and directed by senior Rae Lindenberg April 16-18.

Three performances will be staged at 7:30 p.m. April 16, 17 and 18 in the theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St. Tickets are $5/adults and $3/students and seniors; call the North Central College Box Office at 630-637-SHOW (7460) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/showtix. Due to some profanity and sexual language, this production is suggested for ages 13 and up.

Set in 1939, a young wife is put on trial when her famous Hollywood executive husband is murdered. Courtroom stenographer and screenwriter wannabe Miranda Clarke seizes her chance to write a breakthrough script for the silver screen. But as the trial unfolds, conniving lawyers, threats of blackmail and more suggest to Miranda there’s more to the case than her winning script. “Miranda Writes” offers laughs and intrigue from inside a world where it feels like anything is possible, if you’ve got enough moxie.

A theatre major from Wilmette, writer/director Lindenberg (left) says, “My goal with this piece is to amuse and entertain but also tug at the heart strings and encourage discussion.” The title character Miranda is ambitious, smart and driven, especially for her times. She, as well as the supporting characters, is multifaceted and multidimensional: the good guys don’t always do good things and the bad guys aren’t always wrong. “As a director,” says Lindenberg, “I hope to address the complexity in these characters while making the approach easy and light-hearted.”  

Lindenberg approaches her directing with a collaborative mindset: “By the end of the process, my actors will know these characters even better than I do, so I’m open to their suggestions for line changes or a different interpretation. You have to be open to better ideas than your own to achieve something really great.”

The cast for “Miranda Writes” includes (role, actor, hometown, year, major):
Miranda Clarke: Ashlyn Seehafer of St. Charles, junior majoring in musical theatre
Charles Cahill: Cameron Sherrill of St. Charles, freshman majoring in theatre
Julia Jones: Emily Barham of Darien, freshman majoring in theatre
Judge Drooze: Jack Lindberg of St. Charles, freshman majoring in music
Chief Scurto: Casey McWhirter of East Peoria, freshman majoring in accounting
Deputy Rocco: Abram Vences of Berwyn, senior majoring in musical theatre
Dominick Doherty: Christopher Corrigan of Naperville, freshman majoring in theatre
Ingrid Lemmler: Amanda Peck of Woodridge, senior majoring in theatre
Shelby Sands: Miranda Harris of Normal, sophomore majoring in musical theatre
Cynthia VanDoren: Nicole Borowski of Itasca, sophomore majoring in biology

The production team includes (role, student, hometown, year, major):
Stage manager: Jacari Campbell of Darien, senior majoring in theatre
Assistant stage manager: Jesus Martinez of Aurora, freshman majoring in psychology
Props: Cassie Fenwick of Naperville, freshman majoring in theatre
Lighting: Amanda Strolia of Woodridge, senior majoring in musical theatre, and Tom Noesen of Naperville, freshman majoring in theatre
Costumes: Chelsea Ward of Warrenville, senior majoring in musical theatre
Scene design: Greg Johnson of Wheaton, junior majoring in computer science
Sound/music: Kate Sanderson of St. Charles, junior majoring in theatre, and Wade Balsamo of Barrington, sophomore
Dramaturgy: Rachel Strolle of Downers Grove, senior majoring in psychology
Publicity: Aronzo Traylor II of Chicago, senior majoring in musical theatre

North Central College offers majors in theatre, theatrical design and technology or musical theatre and a minor in dance. A full range of acting and dance classes is available, as well as opportunities to direct a full-length production. Students of all majors can participate in musical and nonmusical performances, actor showcases and one-act plays and performances in the College’s four theatre venues. Full-time professors and active professionals who are artist-teachers serve as faculty.

Photo, above, from l.: Emily Barham as Julia Jones, Amanda Peck as Ingrid Lemmler, Cameron Sherrill as Charles Cahill, Ashlyn Seehafer as Miranda Clarke