Dust

USF is not known to put on big theatre arts productions. Nor are the plays known to be well received by the college student body. Sufficient to say, USF’s track record has been very hit or miss. Last year’s production of Necromancers and last semester’s Woyzeck left something to be desired (both plays were too experimental to the point where the characters were undeveloped and the plot was nonsensical), while last month’s Vagina Monologues was very popular, especially among the women. Last weekend brought the new and experimental play Dust, written entirely by the cast and crew. What would be the verdict?

            Dust derives their plot from the bible of the story of Adam and Eve. From a biblical standpoint, Dust doesn’t do it justice, as God does not have an overbearing role in the play. However, they were still able to portray of sin, but in other ways. The play is divided up into eleven different skits, where each skit gives a potential reason why Eve took a bite from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. In the bible version of Adam and Eve, Eve bites the apple out of temptation. Conversely in Dust, they aren’t satisfied with the simplicity of temptation and thus believe that there could have been different/more motives behind Eve’s defiant act towards God.

            The first half of the play is set in various classrooms (incorporating third graders through college students), acting as the metaphorical Garden of Eden. In the six different classroom skits, passion, fame, love, fear, pride and free will are given as reasons why Eve bit from the apple.

            The play transitions when the ensemble rips apart the set, removing the overhead light fixtures, chairs, chalkboard, poster and carpet. Throughout the classroom skits, the lighting is bright, creating an amiable setting. After the removal of the classroom objects, the mood changes from light and upbeat to dark and desolate. The second half of the show takes place in this black setting, utilizing shadows, lighters, and the supernatural.

            Although presented on a small stage, the ensemble was able to make great use of the limited space they were given. There were 4 holes in the stage, and actors would periodically appear and disappear through them, adding more depth and possibly to the seemingly bland stage. The ensemble was also faced with the challenge of having to face 3 different areas where the audience was seated. However, the blocking was arranged beautifully, to the point that no part of the audience was ever being neglected.

            The most impressive aspect of the show was that there was no script to work from. Instead, the actors used structured improvisation throughout the performance; the same ideas were used during each show and the wording only changed slightly from night to night.  I also enjoyed the play on words and puns that were sprinkled in throughout the play. My favorite line was when Eve was talking about her life after Eden and said she was a “God damned, God forsaken mother.”

            After going to see Dust opening night and then again on closing night, I was impressed by the actors’ ability to keep up their energy throughout the entire show. It was clear that they were having fun on-stage. On closing night, I noticed that the actors’ were a lot more comfortable on-stage because they had far more off-the-cuff quips and side comments than they did on opening night.

            One closing night, the show was sold out. It was obvious that the crowd had enjoyed it and told their friends. People were even sitting in the aisle because no seats were left; clearly Dust was a hit.

 

 4.5/5 apples