The Rocket

Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: Focus

Media Credit: Jessica Rupell During Tuesday's rehearsal for "This is Our Youth," Dennis (Nick Gligor) yells at Warren (Zach Nading) for stealing $15,000 from his father and bringing it to his apartment. The play, set in the upper west side of Manhattan, is set to open in Miller Auditorium on Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Jessica Rupell Deanna Brookens, a senior theatre major and the director of "This is Our Youth," takes notes while watching Tuesday night's rehearsal. Brookens has worked with the three actors of the play each night during rehearsal, fine-tuning details and helping the actors get their characters to emerge. [Click to enlarge]

She's done acting, took technical classes, helped to paint sets and worked public relations for the theatre department.

But in less than two weeks, Deanna Brookens, a senior theatre major, is about to find out what's it's like to add directing to her list of credentials.

Brookens, 23, wrote a proposal to the theatre department faculty and staff last October telling them why she wanted to direct a play.

She said she had two plays in mind when she first did her proposal, and with the help of the theatre department faculty, collectively chose "This Is Our Youth."

Brookens said "This Is Our Youth," a play written by Kenneth Longergan, is set in the upper west side of Manhattan in 1982.

"I was drawn to it because it's all about growing up, which is something all theatre majors can relate to," Brookens said. "It's also something the student body can relate to."

The proposal was accepted by the end of the semester.

Though it all seemed so simple for Brookens, Laura Smiley, an assistant professor in the theatre department, said that isn't the case at all.

"This privilege only happens once every couple of years when a student has work to be shown," Smiley said.

"And it makes sense that it's Deanna because she has been a major player in the department."

Besides reading the play a lot last year, the production did not move forward until Brookens worked on the script this summer.

"I read the script a bunch of times for meaning and what I wanted to convey about the show," Brookens said.

"I also broke down the scenes for the rehearsal process and did research on the Ronald Reagan era, which is when the story takes place."

Auditions for the play were held during the first week of classes, with about 50 people showing up for both fall shows.

But unlike past years, the competition was extremely stiff this year, with the first show only casting six people and "This is Our Youth" casting three.

Nick Gligor, a senior communication major, was cast as the main character, Dennis, in "This is Our Youth."

In his third role in a theatre-department production, Gligor said he was more confident during these auditions than he had been in the past.

"I never really try to think about it," Gligor said. "If they like it, they do, if not, then they don't. That's all you can offer."

While Gligor had worked with student directors in last year's Brave New Plays, he said working with Brookens has been a great experience.

"Deanna's always had a great eye for what's good," Gligor said.

"If there's any student to be directing a play, it would have to her, and I'm glad to be working with her."

Rehearsals for the play began about three weeks ago, and will begin adding the technical aspect next week, bringing everything together with the acting.

"It's really fun to come and watch her rehearsal," Smiley said.

"We are very much on the same page about making notes about little things to change. She has some really great ideas and a very positive rapport with the actors. She's ready."

As the opening date nears, Brookens said she's excited.

"I'm just excited, not nervous or scared," Brookens said. "The team of people working on this is just so enthusiastic about the project."

The show is set to debut in Miller Auditorium on Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. and will run through Nov. 18, with all shows being at 8 p.m. except for Nov. 18, which will run at 2 p.m.

"I just hope people like it," Gligor said. "It's an interesting story."

It is recommended for mature audiences due to language and numerous references to drugs, sex and alcohol.

Tickets for SRU students are $5, while general admission tickets are $10.

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