Tanner Price, Madisyn Coats and the rest of the cast of “Auntie Mame” are rehearsing to perform their play on Thursday, April 20 through Saturday, April 22 in the Fine Arts Auditorium in the 700 building.
Photo by: Sergio Cisneros
Jack Clayton
Lantern Staff
As the end of the year starts to look clearer in the distance, the Butler Theatre Department is gearing up for one final production. Their newest play, “Auntie Mame”, is set to be one of their biggest productions yet.
“Everyone is involved in the show, the theater kids plus other departments,” Professor of Theatre Bob Peterson said. “It’s really exciting to bring all of us together because it’s a real sense of friendship, which this year is our ‘Season of Friendship’, so it’s a really nice and wonderful way to end our ‘Season of Friendship’ with all of the friendships working on the show.”
“Auntie Mame” is the story of a wealthy Bohemian woman who starts taking care of her nephew after his father dies. From there on, the play covers their adventures as she tries to take care of him.
“It’s just a lovely story of friendship, and it’s about conformity against nonconformity,” Peterson said.
Sophomore Madisyn Coats is playing the character of Auntie Mame. According to Coats, Peterson wants her to make her voice a lot lower than it normally is, as Mame has a very specific voice pattern.
“I think the biggest struggle so far has been transitioning from table reads to getting on stage and being able to project my voice around the room, but still keeping that vocal quality that we are aiming for,” Coats said.
One thing that Peterson is most excited for with Auntie Mame is what each student is bringing to the table with their roles.
“I think that what’s nice is they’re all bringing their energy,” Peterson said. “They’re all bringing their sense of humor to it, and they’re bringing their commitment to it, so that’s already exciting in the week of rehearsals that we’ve had.”
As for Coats’ preparation, she has been studying up on actress Rosalind Russel, who played Auntie Mame in the 1958 adaptation of the movie.
“I’ve researched women of that time and looked at the way they dressed, talked and conducted themselves,” Coats said. “However, that thing that has been the most helpful is the movie Auntie Mame with Rosalind Russel. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched it studying her character.”
“Auntie Mame” will be performed in the auditorium at the 700 building Thursday, April 20 through Saturday, April 22.