The Harper Joy Theatre program opened its first production of the semester, “Art” by Yasmina Reza, on Thursday, Sept. 25. The performance explored contemplating art and friendships as three friends fought about the importance and value of a white painting with white lines.  The show was available to the public from Sept. 25-27 at 8 p.m. with additional matinees on Sept. 27-28 at 2 p.m. The play consisted of only three characters played by students: Marc, played by Jay Liao-Troth, Serge, played by Rufus Smith and Yvan, played by Brenden Rasor. 

The theater department held auditions for the play last spring and actors received the scripts over the summer to familiarize themselves with the material before rehearsals began at the beginning of the fall semester. 

“We definitely tried to memorize what we could before we even learned what we wanted to do for each scene, which made the process easier and harder,” Liao-Troth said. 

Although the actors received the scripts early, they still had shorter amounts of rehearsal time compared to other performances that take place later in the academic year and have longer rehearsal periods. Most Whitman plays get about five to six weeks of rehearsals but the “Art” cast had three since they could only begin rehearsing at the start of the semester. The cast and crew began rehearsing on the first day of courses and they continued on every weekday. 

“[The busy rehearsal schedule] is kind of normal for theater,” Liao-Troth said. “It’s always tiring when you’re doing it and then you get to the first show and you’re like, ‘Wow, I’m so invigorated.’”

Despite the shortened rehearsal process, the small cast allowed for more creative directing and made it easier for students and staff working on the production to manage the show. Professor of Theater and Paul Garrett Fellow Christopher Petit directed the play and was able to enjoy the production process because he could guide the small cast and crew to meet his vision for the performance. 

“The growth of the project through the process has been a pleasure for me to see,” Petit said. “I also just like hearing the play. It appeals on a lot of different levels.”

Petit also noted that the brisk dialogue in the play presented a challenge but also made directing it more fun.  

“The dialogue in ‘Art’ moves very fast, and the play draws a fine line between drama and comedy,” Petit said. “The biggest challenge is evoking both of these aspects without undermining either.”

Liao-Troth echoed Petit’s hope to express both the comedy and drama of the script. For Liao-Troth and the rest of the cast and crew of “Art”, the possibility that the audience may not find the first half as funny as the rest of the show became a concern because most of the action did not take place until the second half.

“So I start the show and the fact that right after I step into the scene the audience starts reacting, it was so wonderful,” Liao-Troth said. “To see that it was [funny] was such a blessing.”

The message of the show opened up the floor for discussion amongst the audience. Nikita Scott, who serves as the President of the Whitman College Drama Club, felt the primary conflict between friends connected appreciating art and people as a primary message. 

“I think [the play] will send a deeper message about appreciating friendships,” Scott said. “And also just in our time where the arts are so threatened by our political climate, I think it’s also good to appreciate art.”

Whether the audience thought the play was about interpreting art or navigating friendships, the show was meant to give students, staff and faculty and the Walla Walla community a delightful night at the theater. 

“Please come see all of our shows!” Scott said.

The Harper Joy Theatre has two more productions scheduled this semester. “Iphigenia and Other Daughters” directed by Laura Hope will run Oct. 30 to Nov. 2. “Feeling Forward,” a dance concert, opens Dec. 11-13 with additional shows Dec. 13 & 14 at Freimann Studio Theatre.