Four Ball State students are combining their talents to performin "Proof," an award-winning Broadway play.
Performances started Thursday and will continue until Sept. 28.The Department of Theatre and Dance is putting the play on.
Inspired in part by the story of John Nash, featured in "ABeautiful Mind," "Proof" examines a family's love for one another.The play's title refers to a mathematical proof and what peoplewill do to prove their love for each other.
The story is told primarily through a math professor's daughter,Catherine, played by junior Danni Smith. Smith said this is thefirst time she has performed a lead role.
"Catherine is the character that the audience connects with themost," she said. "The biggest challenge for me has been finding away to make her really three dimensional."
Smith has developed her character through discussions with theother three cast members.
"I think you definitely get closer to one another in a smallercast," Smith said. "We've all been communicating with each othermore about what we thought about the characters and the play, whennormally you wouldn't have time for that kind of discussion."
Junior Natalie Sallee plays Catherine's sister, Claire. Salleealso said she enjoys working with a small cast, which means moreindividual accountability as a performer.
"I love being in a small cast because there's never any doubtthat someone is paying attention to you," she said. "We all havemore responsibility than we would in a bigger cast, and each roleis very important."
Sallee said she feels "Proof" will most likely appeal toanyone.
"It's serious but funny at the same time," she said. "It has somuch variety that it's good for all audiences."
According to Director Judy Yordon, the play withholds someinformation from the audience in every scene, adding to the plot'ssuspense.
"There is a secret in every scene that sustains the tensionthroughout the play," she said.
"Proof" will run at the University Theatre at 8 p.m. untilSaturday and Wednesday through Sept. 27. The play will run at 2:30p.m. on Sunday and Sept. 28. Tickets are available at theUniversity Theatre Box Office from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays andfor one hour before each performance. Admission costs $12 for thepublic, $11 for faculty and staff, $9 for senior citizens and $6for students.
Pull-out information:
Play summary: A young woman has doubts concerning her sanity andmust come to terms with the death of her father. "Proof" won the2001 Tony Award for best play on Broadway. It was written by DavidAuburn and directed by Daniel Sullivan.
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