Cast of ‘And Then There Were None’ does a read through of the script.
AARON SCHOEPF / COURTESY
By Angelina Persaud, Managing Editor/News Editor
Murder-mystery fans beware as the Manhattan University Players have announced the cast for their fall play based on Agatha Christie’s book, And Then There Were None.
The MU Players had a rather large turnout for their auditions for the play, with 27 students showing up for various characters. This is also the first time in several years that the Players have turned to doing a murder-mystery-themed production.
Martin Marchitto, the director of the production, spoke to The Quadrangle about how he came into the role and got involved in putting the cast together. He was originally the director of Players in 2018 but left due to other employment opportunities. However, a quick return offer from Andy Bauer, director of performing arts, allowed him to make a return to Players.
“I jumped at the opportunity because some of my favorite memories are working at Manhattan University and with the students of Players, so I was thrilled to be returning,” Marchitto said.
He also explained his process of casting, which involved having students prepare a monologue for a specific character. However, Marchitto also introduced the concept of reading together for auditions, where he had students pair up and observe how their characters would interact on the stage.
“I would give them some direction about the scene,” Marchitto said. “There’s a Vera and Emily scene in which I talk about how the two characters are polar opposites. And so they’d read the scene, and because I’m trying to learn who the students are, I would sometimes give them adjustments, and I’d say ‘play this scene like a love scene’ or ‘I’d like you to be the aggressor’.”
Marchitto also emphasized that he looked for students who could think creatively about their roles and offer additional insights into their characters without excessive guidance.
“I want to see that they’re creative, that they can think on their feet, and that they can come in with some ideas, but also be able to adjust those ideas based on the direction that I’m providing them,” Marchitto said. “At one point, it was magical because I gave some direction to two women and asked them to really go for their goals and it was this knock-down moment where they really went after each other, and it was exactly what it needed to be.”
Aaron Schoepf, the production manager for Players, was tasked with putting together the production and technical crew, choosing the set designer and creating an appealing atmosphere for the play. He also assists in the dramaturgical aspects of the production, where he looks into specific names, items, or cultural norms relating to the play.
When it came to the diversity of the cast, Schoepf commented on the talent and community he felt from his fellow castmates, as well as the opportunities Players had for everyone.
“The great thing about Players is we do a lot of shows, so there’s always more opportunities,” Schoepf said. “We need so many people for tech. There’s always ways to stay involved in Players and involved in the production, which is really great.”
Schoepf has been with Players since his freshman year when he was cast as citizen number two in “Enemy of the People.” He highlighted how his love of theater has influenced his time with the cast and Players.
“I’m very passionate about theater, so being able to put that energy into a production felt really good,” Schoepf said. “I knew I wanted more responsibility and a production manager is that. I am in charge of a lot of people, so it feels good to see this production really flourishing.”
Annie Brennan, house manager for Players and stage manager for the play, has also been with Players since her freshman year. She spoke to The Quadrangle about her favorite part of helping create a production: the cast coming together.
“I just love getting to see the cast all in one room,” Brennan said. “I like seeing it all come together. I think that the hardest part of stage managing is getting everyone together. So being able to see everyone in one room and really see it come to life is my favorite part.”
She also spoke about her success collaborating with Marchitto, including his presence and ability to connect with the students.
“Marty is great,” Brennan said. “He’s so involved. He just really wants everything to run on time. He really wants to see Players grow into something new and something fresh. I definitely think that he has our best interest and I think he’s super involved, which is so important.”
Brennan also highlighted the different audition strategies that Marchitto and herself employed to help bring out the diverse skills of the cast.
“A lot of the time, most directors will have one person at a time come in, they’ll read and then they’ll leave,” Brennan said. “Marty asked people to stay. He wanted people to read again. He wanted people to read with other people. The audition process wasn’t the normal way that we usually do it.”
Olivia Bailey, president of Players and the role of Emily Brent in the play, says that she prepared her role by doing character analysis to understand her character’s backstory.
“You have to think a lot about your character’s backstory, who they are, where they come from, and what their goals are,” Bailey said. “With every character, you need to map out what their goal is for the play, because that’s how you create the character arc. So we’re spending a lot of time on analysis and just figuring out who we are as people and implementing that into our character story as well.”
Bailey also spoke about cast chemistry as a crucial aspect of the production since the Players must bring authenticity to their roles. This often results in humorous moments where they may have to play a character opposite their personality and interact with their friends in their character persona.
“The way that the show is casted is perfect,” Bailey said. “I play a character who is, I would say, the opposite of myself. She’s very mean, extremely religious, and she’s cruel. I think it’s fun to explore what that relationship looks like when I’m acting with all of my friends, because I have to be mean to all of them. A lot of things come up in rehearsal, we find things, we explore characters a bit, but overall, it’s been fun.”
Owen Sweeney, a new member of Players and the role of Phillip Lombard in the play, says that landing the role was a shock to him.
“This is my first production,” Sweeney wrote in an email to The Quadrangle. “I never really tried out for a play before and didn’t expect, as a newcomer, to really be considered for any roles. It came as such a surprise to me when I got my role. I’m especially grateful because my role is so central. I’m humbled to have that much trust placed in me for my first production.”
Sweeney has high hopes for the play and hopes to deliver a stellar performance on opening night.
“Personally, all I really want is to entertain everyone and keep people engaged in the story,” Sweeney wrote. “What’s the point in coming to the theater if the show isn’t fun or interesting? I just hope people are surprised and enjoy their time watching us perform!”
If all the cast and production crew echo one sentiment, it’s their passion for theater and excitement for people to enjoy the productions put together by Players.
“I want it to come alive,” Bailey said. “I want people to have a different interpretation of the show itself with the people that they know. I also think that with such a popular show, a lot of people who don’t usually come see our shows will come see them. I’m hoping that this can be a new introduction into what we do, because we do really great stuff.”