UHCL students prepare for ‘Rememberall: The Limits of Agency’ performance
The “Harry Potter” series has millions of fans across the world, and now the University of Houston-Clear Lake is bringing a new take on the wizarding world to the stage.
Students gathered in the Garden Room Thursday, Jan. 31 to audition for the upcoming “Rememberall: The Limits of Agency” performance. The auditions called for writers, performers and anyone who simply enjoys the “Harry Potter” series. The performance is due to premiere April 19 and 20 in the Bayou Theater.
Andrea Baldwin, lecturer in communication and the director of the upcoming performance, describes the show as a “devised performance.”
“We need writers because it’s a devised performance,” Baldwin said. “Rather, the script is only partially written, so writers will help enhance themes and fill in the script.”
Because the script has not yet been written, there is not a set storyline for the performance. It will be up to the selected writers to decide how they want to incorporate artifacts and themes from the “Harry Potter” series into their plotline that relates to their personal life experiences.
The Remembrall artifact in “Harry Potter” is a glass ball that contains smoke and turns red when its owner has forgotten something. The glass ball becomes clear once the owner has remembered what was forgotten.
Catherine Hernandez, communication major, attended the “Rememberall” auditions. Hernandez decided to audition because she enjoyed acting in junior high and church, and she wanted to get back to being on stage. Also, she loves “Harry Potter” and thought being a part of “Rememberall” would be good way to combine her interests.
“It’s a devised play, which means that student writers are currently collaborating to write the script, and throughout the rehearsal process, the performers and directors will be able to adapt and add to the show personally,” Hernandez said. “It’s really a joint effort of everyone involved.”
Justin Murphy, communication major, auditioned to be a writer and performer for the “Rememberall” performance. Murphy said the show will be presented through a lens that draws on things the writers have learned from and enjoyed about “Harry Potter.”
“There will be artifacts from ‘Harry Potter’ that are definitely a part of the show,” Murphy said.
Although familiar with “Harry Potter,” Baldwin does not consider herself an authority on the series. Baldwin wants the play to be written by students for students.
“As a director, I am not an ‘expert’ on ‘Harry Potter,’ but many students and faculty have lived their lives with it, so their perspectives, as well as those entering the text for the first time, will be beneficial,” Baldwin said.
To learn more information about “Rememberall: The Limits of Agency” contact Andrea Baldwin at Baldwin@UHCL.edu. Information on ticket prices and performance times will be available on the Bayou Theater website as the performance date draws closer.
EDITORS NOTE: The play is titled “Rememberall” to avoid the copyrighted term “Remembrall” from the “Harry Potter” series.
