‘Doll House’ ideas still resonate

“A Doll’s House” and “Hamlet” are this spring’s Repertory Project lineup.  Starting with the debut of “A Doll’s House” on March 18, the two plays will alternate performances for three weekends.

Since 2007, USI and New Harmony Theatres have co-produced two plays for the fall and spring semester, and brought in professional actors to perform with junior and senior students.

This year, actors Letitia Lange and John Windsor-Cunningham are working alongside USI students in both plays.

Lange plays Nora in “A Doll’s House” and Ophelia in “Hamlet”, while Windsor-Cunningham plays Dr. Rank and Polonius.

“The actors are a wonderful addition to the program,” director of “A Doll’s House”, Elliot Wasserman said.  “The audiences are going to see a very professional, very beautifully mounted performance.”

“Rehearsals are very strong,” Wasserman added.

By working with the professional actors in the Repertory Project students gain points toward qualifying to join the prestigious Actors Equity Association, the professional union of stage actors and stage managers.

Wasserman, who is also the Department of Performing Arts Chair, possesses a diverse résumé. He has directed major musicals such as “Guys and Dolls” and “Cabaret” in professional venues across the country, and teaches acting, directing and playwriting classes here at the university. He also served as the artistic director of the Lincoln Amphitheatre from 1992-2005 and is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.

Originally written in 1879 by playwright Henrik Ibsen, audiences will see a version very faithful to the original piece.

Considered by some critics to be the first feminist play, a common theme from “A Doll’s House” is exploring marriages at the time and how oftentimes women were treated as children.

Although, Wasserman added, as a whole we do not implement the same morels on each other anymore, the ideas still resonate.

“We’re still able to see our lives in these themes,” Wasserman said.