The past few months, student actors and actresses have been working hard in rehearsals for the fall play The Liar, a French farce that was first performed in 1644. However, it’s not just the hours of rehearsals that’s challenging the students, the play also features two completely different casts.

“This is my fourth year at Sage and in my experience, it’s been the first time we have ever had two casts,” director Tannis Hanson said.

The main reason for dividing the play into two casts is that there were so many students who were excited to participate but only eight roles to be filled. Instead of cutting the majority of the students who auditioned or creating an cast of understudies, Hanson decided it would be best to give more students the opportunity to act in the play.

“We have a lot of strong actors at Sage, and it was challenging for me as a director even to land on my dream cast…Students who have been in the theater program all four years, who have consistently signed up for theater as an elective and who have been a part of other shows at Sage [all came to auditions],” Hanson said.

However, having two casts hasn’t come without challenges.

“I think the biggest challenge for me is sustaining my energy to give my all to both casts,” Hanson said.

Also, students have less rehearsal time than usual because the time the students usually get is now split between two casts.

The students have embraced these changes though and learned a lot from the actors playing their same roles.

“It has been fun to watch my actors get inspired by what the other actor playing their character is doing. They have continuously found ways to incorporate the other actor’s ideas into their performance in their own distinct way,” Hanson said.

Senior Kate Kelly, who plays the role of mentor Cliton, echoed this thought:
“The two casts was definitely something to get used to, but I think that both casts have really been able to pull from the other. It’s also really cool to be able to see the work onstage, something you rarely get to do.”

Although this is the first time in Sage history that a play or musical has had two casts, it probably won’t be the last.

“I’ve loved having two casts. It’s inspiring to watch different actors and their take on how they see their characters and the world of the play,” Hanson said. They each have a unique way they use the language, make emotional choices, and bring the physicality of the character to life.”

The student performance of The Liar begins tonight at 7, with shows Thursday through Saturday. Tickets can be purchased online at the link below:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2707664