October 15, 2008

See “The Perfect Idiot” during Parents and Family Weekend

The Bryant players will present this comedy on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Acting is a perfect way for students to build skills that can be useful in a variety of careers after graduation. They learn to have confidence speaking in front of others, the value of teamwork, and the dedication and commitment required to create a successful final product.

“There is no other cocurricular activity that a person can participate in during college that builds self-confidence and team-building skills like the theatre,” says Ryan Smith ’09 (Lanoka Harbor, NJ).

(L-R) Cast members John Gardner '12 (Sturbridge, MA) plays "Roger Tennyson," Ryan Smith ’09 (Lanoka Harbor, NJ) plays "Mr. Latherby," Coburn Childs '12 (Pawtucket, RI) plays "Jackie Tennyson," Kevin Dunn ’12 (Franklin, MA) plays "Dan Tennyson," and Joelle Sopariwala '12 (Old Saybrook, CT) plays "Margaret Tennyson."

Smith, an information technology major, and his fellow actors and actresses will have the chance to show what they have learned – and satisfy a shared passion for acting – as they present “The Perfect Idiot” as part of Parents and Family Weekend. Show times are 7 p.m. on Friday, October 17, and Saturday, October 18, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 19, in Janikies Theatre. Tickets are $2 for students, $5 for faculty/staff, and $8 for the general public at the door. There is a $1 discount on all tickets bought this week in the Koffler Rotunda from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. To learn more, visit Bryant Players or e-mail.

“The Perfect Idiot,” by Eunice and Grant Atkinson, tells the story of Dan Tennyson, a boy with a “Smart-Me, Dumb-You” attitude that causes him a big problem: His parents won’t let him take the college entrance exams because he’s so unpopular.  Meanwhile, his high school’s star athlete, Puff, is disqualified from all athletic events until he pulls up his grades. Dan hatches a scheme to tutor Puff if members of the team will act like his friends even though they are not.  Will his plan be a success, or could this genius’s plan go horribly wrong?  You’ll laugh at all of Dan’s amusing antics throughout this hilarious show. 

Finding the next star

Kevin Javier ’12 (New York, New York), who has been active in drama productions since his freshman year of high school, hopes his involvement in the Bryant Players will be part of his journey to fame. His goals are ambitious: to be an internationally recognized singer and actor.

“Acting with the Bryant Players is helping me gain the experience I need to be a competitor in the vast world of entertainment,” says Javier, a management concentrator.

When Kevin Dunn ’12 (Franklin, MA) is asked about his career plans, he responds succinctly and confidently: Hollywood.

(L-R) Kevin Dunn ’12 (Franklin, MA) plays "Dan Tennyson," Joelle Sopariwala '12 (Old Saybrook, CT) plays "Margaret Tennyson," Ethan Beise '12 (Mansfield, MA) plays "Mr. Barnard," John Gardner '12 (Sturbridge, MA) plays "Roger Tennyson," Jen McElligott '12 (Westborough, MA) plays "Miss Baker," and Coburn Childs '12 (Pawtucket, RI) plays "Jackie Tennyson."

“My ultimate goal in life has always been to be an actor,” says Dunn, a communication major.

Carlos Ramos ’10 (Stoughton, MA), a communication major, aspires to work in the movie industry one day. His background in business and the liberal arts is helping him build the skills he needs to succeed.

“As an actor you need to sell yourself,” he says. “Bryant is helping me reach my dreams.”

A favorite pastime

Unlike some of his fellow actors, Colburn Childs ’12 (Pawtucket, RI) doesn’t aspire to see his name scrolling in movie credits one day. But that doesn’t mean he enjoys his time with the Bryant Players any less.

“Acting has always been one of my favorite things,” says Child, a finance concentrator. “As a hobby, it is great to take a break from my studies and be able to have fun on stage.”

Jenna Morris ’12 (Sutton, MA) has only a year of experience as an actress, but she says her short time on stage has helped her build confidence in her communication skills and taught her to work with a diverse group of personalities.

          

(Photo on the left) Coburn Childs '12 (Pawtucket, RI) plays "Jackie Tennyson," and Kevin Dunn ’12 (Franklin, MA) plays "Dan Tennyson," and (photo on the right) John Gardner '12 (Sturbridge, MA) plays "Roger Tennyson," and Ryan Smith ’09 (Lanoka Harbor, NJ) plays "Mr. Latherby."  

“It is a lot of fun to get into character and put yourself in another person’s shoes,” says Morris.

For Bryant Players’ President Krissy Aucoin ’10 (Smithfield, RI), “The Perfect Idiot” will be the seventh play she performs in since she came to Bryant.

“I have met some great people who I know I will be friends with for life,” says Aucoin, a double concentrator in literary and cultural studies, and marketing. “It is so great to see students getting involved with something where they can just be creative and have fun.”

"The Perfect Idiot" Cast

   

(L-R) Kevin Dunn ’12 (Franklin, MA) plays "Dan Tennyson," Jennie Kitaychik '12 (Fresh Meadows,NY) plays "Linda Barnard," Coburn Childs '12 (Pawtucket, RI) plays "Jackie Tennyson," and Joelle Sopariwala '12 (Old Saybrook, CT) plays "Margaret Tennyson."  

   

(L-R) John Gardner '12 (Sturbridge, MA) plays "Roger Tennyson," Krissy Aucoin '10 (Smithfield, RI) plays "Rhodora," Ryan Smith ’09 (Lanoka Harbor, NJ) plays "Mr. Latherby," and Ethan Beise '12 (Mansfield, MA) plays "Mr. Barnard."

   

(L-R) Jenna Morris '12 (Sutton, MA) plays "Jeannie," Tara Calnan '12 (Bellingham, MA) plays "Carla," Parker Williams '12 (Dalton, MA) plays "Puff," and Matthew Tivnan '10 (Worcester, MA) plays "Policeman."

   

(L-R) Jen McElligott '12 (Westborough, MA) plays "Miss Baker," Kevin Javier '12 (New York, New York) plays "Dr. Von Barf," Carlos Ramos '10 (Stoughton, MA) plays "Mr. Booth," and Mandie Dev '10 (Durham, NH) is the assistant director and Amber De Angelis '09 (Warwick, RI) is director.