This spring, San Jac Central Campus presents “W;t,” a thought-provoking play directed by Professor Richard Turner. Performances run Wednesday, Feb. 18, through Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Slocomb Auditorium.
The production, originally released in 1995 and written by Margaret Edson, tells the story of Vivian Bearing, an English professor who is diagnosed with terminal cancer. The play explores themes of mortality, intellect, and empathy, while offering educational insight to community members and students alike.
“We all pass on, how it occurs and how we and our loved ones respond is something that everybody can relate to,” says Turner, a San Jac alum and theater professor at Central Campus.
According to Turner, emotional depth was crucial to the preparation process of the play. During rehearsals, students were encouraged to study health conditions as well as medical terminology to help familiarize themselves with the subject matter.
“A lot of them decided to do a bunch of research, especially dealing with this kind of setting. Many of them looked up various videos and things like that. I spoke to a student, and she and I looked up a video of how to do CPR. So, there’s a lot that goes into it, especially for more serious roles,” says Turner.
The Central Campus Theater’s adaptation of the award-winning production includes several twists on the protagonist’s intellectual and emotional perspectives.
“We’ve added an element of fantasy and delusion in the main character’s journey. We’ve done that mainly because, when you’re in a room for several hours, and maybe even weeks, in pain and on several medications, your mind can become your enemy. It can play tricks on you,” says Turner.
The physical and mental distress that Vivian Bearing undergoes throughout the story raises ethical and emotional questions among audiences, encouraging self-reflection and reminding us that nothing in life is guaranteed.
“We all have limited time,” says Turner, “how will you spend your journey? Who will you influence? And who will continue to keep your story alive with their memories?”
Community members, students, and faculty are encouraged to attend and witness the powerful upcoming performance from the student actors at San Jacinto College Central.
“To use the words of the play,” says Turner, “in the big scheme of things, life and death are only separated by a comma.”
For more information, visit the San Jacinto College Central Theater & Film website or contact Richard Turner at [email protected].
