Students perform student-written play at Bayou Theater
In the stage performance “Well;” five students from UHCL talked about their autoethnographic experiences in Houston. The performance was held Oct. 5 in UHCL’s Bayou Theater.
Andrea Baldwin, lecturer in communication, worked with a group of students from the Storytellers student organization, some of which took her Storytelling and Oral Communication class (COMM 4391) to create a show to tell their personal stories about living in Houston and living through Hurricane Harvey specifically.
“I feel overwhelmed and proud [of the students],” Baldwin said.
“Well;” was collaboratively written and performed by Andy Robb, Natalie Garcia, Justin Murphy and Christos Patelis.
“The show is composed of personal narratives that detail our experiences of Houston,” said Garcia, environmental science major. “The show focuses on the way Houston is as a city as well as how it has influenced our personal identities.”
“Well;” also tackled Hurricane Harvey and how it affected the students’ lives.
“My favorite thing about the Storytellers group is that it gives me a creative outlet,” said Robb, communication major. “I really enjoy writing and performing with Natalie, Justin, Christos and Dr. Baldwin.”
Garcia took Baldwin’s Storytelling and Oral Communication class spring 2016.
“It was always really interesting to see other students perform their personal narratives because it was a glimpse into their life,” Garcia said.
Baldwin and the students are scheduled to perform at the Petit Jean Performance Festival in Morrilton, Arkansas between Oct. 12 and Oct. 15.
Last year the students showcased their work from the class at the festival. This year, the students were invited back and created “Well;” to present as a group performance for the festival. Each student wrote his or her own personal story with Baldwin serving as an adviser and assistant director.
“I’m nervous because I’ve never performed before and to do so in such a wonderful, large space in front of a lot of people is intimidating,” Garcia said. “But I know everyone will pull through and make it work.”
Baldwin noted that she is proud of how hard her students worked on the performance.
“They are working hard on their own and expanding on what they’ve learned in the classroom, it’s magical to watch,” Baldwin said.
