Three student led plays were presented during the New Works Symposium at Doudna this past weekend including “Scrap of Life” by Kierstyn Budz, “The Party” by Monica Brown and “Try Not to Cry” by Newton Holt. 

One actor, pre-nursing student Paris Bayless, explained the importance of acting and how that influences her life as an actor in a play.  

“I like just embodying another character by not being myself because when you act, you are supposed to become that character,” Bayless said. “So, I like becoming that character, let me embody their lives, putting that into the real world, bringing it to life so you can touch people. It is not just a story, so they can see it and hear.” 

Bayless also expressed how enjoyable it is to be in extracurricular activities and being involved in the New Works Symposium on campus despite not being a theatre major. 

“The Party” by Brown received laughs from the audience when the alien characters or party crashers students Emerson Gausmann and Kaumi Stuart actors were introduced. 

Junior theatre major Brea Howard, directed “The Party.”

“For the new play symposium, we had a bunch of playwrights create their own work and then submitted it to us, and my job was just to direct it and get a stage for the actual performance tonight,” Howard said. 

This was the first time Howard directed a play, and she said it was a wonderful experience. 

“This is my first time directing a show, and I am proud of the actors and the work of the playwright,” Howard said.

She said she is both thankful and grateful to have the opportunity to direct. 

Howard also explained where the play is heading in terms of topics and ideas as it develops into more a longer play.

“I recently just talked to the playwright, and she has a ton more ideas for how to expand the show make it longer and is planning to resubmit it for the new works festival that will be happening next spring,” Howard said.  

Chandler Smith can be reached at 581-2812 or at cbsmith5@eiu.edu.