This weekend I attended two Belmont Senior Honors productions and was more than impressed. The first was a production of Neil LaBute’s “The Shape of Things” and it took place at Actor’s Bridge’s Neuhoff studio. It really made me nostalgic since that was where I did my first directing debut in Nashville, also a LaBute play. My ABE friend, Jessika, directed it (also a Belmont alum), but it was really the creation of a Belmont Senior, Brittany McManus, who produced and starred in the show. She did an excellent job all around. In typical LaBute style, the show had a twisted ending that left the audience questioning their own moral perception on a difficult, yet seemingly justifiable act. The overall production was very simple, yet very effective.

The second production was later that same night at Belmont’s new blackbox theater. It was an absurdist play called “Accidental Death of an Anarchist”. The production was well-done, but either my tiredness or my anticipation of a climax left me a little drained. Although it was thoroughly enjoyable, the rest of the crowd seemed to laugh significantly more than I did. I think some of it had to do with the fact that the audience was predominantly Belmont students who were familiar with the cast members, making the craziness of it all that more entertaining. It actually reminded me a lot of a play I’ve always wanted to direct/produce called “Firebugs”. Its quirky, timely, and not shy about being political.

All in all, the whole evening really made me miss directing in general. It also made it very clear that Belmont has a significantly more advanced approach to directing education than the one I received. Although I wasn’t at Vandy long enough to take all the “proper” pre-reqs to direct, the Directing emphasis seemed less encouraged, less celebrated than the one I witnessed this weekend. The fact that Belmont students have the option to do an Honor’s Thesis really says something about the program. I have to admit, I’m a little jealous.