Virtual Adelphi Production Selected For National Theatre Festival

GARDEN CITY, NY — Adelphi University's first virtual theatrical production, "This Odd Geometry of Time," has been selected to be performed at the Kennedy Center's American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) for Region 2, running Jan. 11-14, 2021.

The KCACTF is an annual national theater program involving students from colleges and universities across the country. For the first time, the festival will be conducted entirely virtual.

"This Odd Geometry of Time," which was streamed through Youtube in October, is an exploration of intersectional feminism and climate change through the guise of a nature documentary, Adelphi said. The story takes place over the course of 260 years and follows the lives of several historical women and one spirited Russian bowhead whale named Galina. The piece was written by Adelphi alumnae Megan Lohne and directed by Shoshanah Tarkow, assisted by current student Matthew Pezzulich. The piece will be performed alongside competing productions from southwest New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington DC, northern Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio, in hopes of advancing to the national level.

"The current moment has proven that technological innovation is not only a viable option for artists, but a necessity," said Tarkow of the production. "'This Odd Geometry of Time' incorporates virtual and augmented reality technologies with live performances, original music and a 12-foot Bowhead whale puppet."

The production also has earned other awards and nominations from KCACTF. Student actors Daynah Richburg, Emma Scholl, Alexis Barros and Madelyn Barkoc were nominated for the prestigious Irene Ryan Award. Additionally, several students who worked behind the scenes were awarded certificates of merit. Awardees included Carson Fergueson and Natalie Piperno for puppetry, Carrie McElroy, Nicole Sponaugle, Brian Donahue and Kimmarie McCrann for stage management, Fiona Gavin for lighting design, and Chloe Yoo for virtual background design.

"When I started writing this experience, I had no idea what it would become," said Lohne. "The piece gently turned into a commentary about society and how though we've made many strides, too much is the same."