March 8, 2000

NMC play is all about timing

By Justin Trapp
Herald staff writer
       A young man forces his way into polite conversation, looking for love, and keeps getting snubbed. Trotsky speaks with an ax in his head while trying to cope with his death. A man sits in "a Philadelphia," a place where he gets exactly the opposite of what he asks for. How is it that so many people from so many walks of life find themselves in odd, frightening and sometimes hilarious situations?
      The answer is "All in the Timing."
      "All in the Timing" is a series of six one-act plays by David Ives, four of which were performed over the weekend by high school and college volunteers in the "Little Theater" at Northwestern Michigan College. All proceeds from the performances, which were student run, went to benefit the NMC theater department.
      Conceived by Christopher Franklin, a student at NMC, the NMC benefit was not only performed by volunteers, but paid for, organized, and promoted as well. Franklin, in cooperation with a fellow student, Jacob Kramer, each directed two of the short one-act plays at the Little Theater.
      Franklin first found David Ives series of plays in the spring of 1998, though he had performed "Sure Thing," a one-act from the series, in high school.
      "David Ives has a real comedic feel for the language," Franklin said, "and it was neat to see that all those other pieces were just as exceptional."
      After gaining approval of the idea from Jill Beauchamp, head of the NMC theater department, Franklin and Kramer went about rounding up actors to volunteer time, money and skills to their production.
      Though Franklin has directed shows in the past, Kramer's first experience in directing came with this production.
      "I thought the people that read for the pieces just had a natural feel for what they were reading," Kramer said. "I've really enjoyed it. It's been a good first experience."
      Various businesses and organizations either discounted or donated material to the volunteers. The materials were used as props and costumes, and some of the benefactors included Old Town Playhouse, Eastern Mountain Sports (for the ax in Trotsky's head) and Magic Mirror Costumes.
      All together, actors had about a month to rehearse, organize and promote the show - not an easy feat for a cast of 11 members. Though rehearsals were only held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and much of the promotion was done by word of mouth, Franklin and Kramer feel that the production was a success.
      Both directors participated in the acting as well, with each performing in one of the four plays.
      "We wanted to play," said Franklin with a grin.
      The two directors are enjoying what they expect to be their last year at Northwestern Michigan College, but they hope that this event will turn into an annual opportunity for both actors and the theater department.
      "A lot of people want to try out for the regularly scheduled plays here, but they're apprehensive," Franklin said. "They're not sure if they want to take a class. This is a really good opportunity for people that have never really done theater."