My experience in Edinburgh was one of constant fulfillment. Not only was I
able to perform at the Fringe Festival, but I was able to experience
countless other productions while there. During my stay in Edinburgh, I
was able to see productions by the Swedish International Theatre and Anne
Bogart, which were associated with the International Festival. Rarely, do
students find the opportunity to see international or renowned theatre
companies all in one place, in one week. The experience was so cultivating
and nourishing, as each production seen provided new and creative ideas
for young students. Aside from the constant theatre producing and going,
we all had time to experience life in Edinburgh, the food, the sights, and
the culture. On the whole, it was an invaluable experience; I felt so
incredibly stimulated while I was there; when I came back I felt
ambitious and ready to share my ideas and experiences with my fellow
students.
Meghan Lantzy, Actor
Our trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival was an incredible
experience. The thrill of working in a foreign theatre is incomparable to
anything I've ever done. I was given the opportunity to meet performers
from other countries and to see such a variety of plays that I would never
have been able to see if I wasn't inolved with the festival. I have never
fallen in love with a city as quickly as I did with Edinburgh. My
Professor's really made it a worth while experience. I feel so fortunate
to have been able to travel with five extremely talented people. I think
it's important for students to be given opportunities to test their
talents. Professor's Todd Wronski and Jim Lartin-Drake and Dr. Karen
Lordi really encouraged Matt, Meghan and I to experiment with the
performance and gave us all an opportunity to take charge of the show. As
soon as people on the streets started recognizing us, we knew we really
had accomplished something to be proud of.
Heather Greeley, Stage Manager
My experience in Scotland was more amazing than I ever believed possible.
Not only did I get to produce theatre for an international audience, I got
to spend half a month living in Edinburgh. It has been said that
during August, Edinburgh is the most cultured city in the world, and I
completely believe it. Everywhere we turned we found art--in all forms.
From street mimes and bagpipers to book fairs and world premieres of
independent film, the city buzzed with culture 24 hours a day.
Our production of Oleanna was a fantastic addition to the interplay of
world culture represented at The Fringe. The themes were distinctly
American, and with Mamet's gift for the vernacular, we were really able
to present a slice of modern Americana to a diverse and receptive
audience. With three students and three professors, we truly got to work
one-on-one with professionals at staging a production from page to stage.
In our free time, and thanks to the generosity of Dickinson College and
the Mellon Foundation, we were able to take in as many as two or three
productions a day, enriching our study of the practice of theatre with the
study of its many presentational forms. This was particular interesting
to me considering that I had just completed a Theatre History Seminar
course which had focused on the role of the audience in modern and
contemporary theatre. With hundreds of productions playing concurrently
in such a small city, every inch of space that could possibly have been
used as a stage--from tents and churches to underground vaults and
elementary school gymnasiums--was, and I found myself consistently
intrigued by the metatheatrical implications these venues had on their
audiences.
The whole experience was astounding, one I will never forget, and now, as
I embark upon a career in teaching and pursuit of a Master's degree in
theatre education, I find myself committed to designing a summer
experience for my high school students that can take them to Edinburgh
too, so they can experience the overwhelming unification of all things
artistic that made the summer of 2000 the most amazing of my life.
