Troy's Theatre and Dance Department prepares for its final semester production

As the semester comes to an end, many Troy University programs are reaching the end of their plans for the semester, but the department of Theatre and Dance has one more production left.

“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” is a meta-play based on two minor characters from William Shakespeare’s play, “Hamlet.” The play’s director, professor of theatre performance Alex Piper, believes the play is much more than a shoot-off of a more famous piece.

“It is an examination of existence, consciousness, language, and free will,” Piper said.

The play also has a special place in the heart of Adie Carter, a sophomore theatre education major from Birmingham, Alabama, who plays Rosencrantz.

“I’ve played several big roles in my life, but this is my first one for a Troy University show,” Carter said. “It’s a really big honor, and I’m so grateful to have been cast.

“This play is absurdism at its finest, and anyone who is an appreciator of Nihilistic comedy will have a blast with a show like this. Of course, even if you don't know what any of those terms are, you'll at least get a good laugh.”

Though it may be a good laugh for the audience, the play is still much more for the performers who spend hours a week working to make sure their show is as close to perfect as possible. This preparation is not without obstacles.

“We rehearse every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2-4 p.m. and have been in tech from 5:30-10 p.m. for the past two weeks,” Carter said. “The biggest obstacle for this play is definitely the lines.

“Just the characters Rosencrantz and Guildenstern alone have about 3,500 lines between them. However, it's these fast-paced and nonsensical lines that make the show as brilliant as it is, and hopefully, it's what audiences will enjoy.”

After much preparation, Carter said the nerves begin to take over the closer they get to show-time, especially in a play as detailed and difficult as this one.

“As of now, nerves are definitely at the forefront for me, but they all come from a place of excitement,” Carter said. “I want to do well, and I want everyone who comes to see it to get something out of Tom Stoppard's brilliant writing.”

As of April 24, “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” starts its showings at the Trojan Center Theatre and will be showing until April 27. Piper encourages all students to attend what he believes to be an experience found at no other show.

“It will take place in an intimate performance space, giving audience members the opportunity to truly have an experiential night,” Piper said. “It is a thought provoking, good humored, unpredictable, modern show that [the audience] is sure to enjoy.”