Eastern Performed "Pleasure Beach"

Written by Kate Harner

Willimantic, Conn. - Students from Eastern Connecticut State University's Theatre 474: Experimental Theatre course performed "Pleasure Beach" Dec. 2-4 in Eastern's Harry Hope Theatre.

            "Pleasure Beach" followed fictional characters at Pleasure Beach, a modern ghost town on the barrier beach between Bridgeport and Shelton. The play consisted of three parts: "Daytime on the Beach"; "An Evening at Le Grand Guignol"; and "Nighttime on the Beach." David Pellegrini, chair of the Performing Arts Department and professor of the Experimental Theatre course, directed the performance, which combined singing, dancing, improvisation, live video and projection video filmed on location at Pleasure Beach.        

          Students who acted in "Pleasure Beach" are theatre major Amanda Ardel '11 from Coventry; theatre major Laura Cuffe '12 from Tolland; theatre major Ben Donnel '11 from Groton; theatre major Keri Dumka '12 from Burlington; communication major Ben Friedman '11 from Bristol; theatre major Amanda Hale '11 from Willimantic; theatre major Craig Harlow '11 from East Haven; theatre major Shane William Kegler '11 from Mansfield Center; communication major Stephanie LaPointe '12 from Willimantic; performing arts major Max Loignon '11 from Chesire; communication major Katharine McManus '12 from Columbia; theatre major Hilary Osborn '12 from Columbia; theatre major Kerri Panciera '11 from Killingworth; theatre major Sarah Paprocki '13 from Norwich; theatre major Luke Reinwald '11 from Branford; English major Elizabeth Swan '12 from Woodstock; and theatre major Denis Ugurlu '12 from Haddam Neck. Seana Hendrickson '12, a theatre major from Thompson, was the stage manager, while live music was performed onstage by music major Alex Renner '11 from Uxbridge, MA, and music major Alex Smith '12 from Windham.