 "Photo: Jessica Burdge")
From the set design to the costumes and directing, everything about Grimm Tales is student created.
Morgan Mallory, a junior musical theatre arts major from Pocatello, Idaho and Josh Wright, a junior biology major from Springville, decided in October that they wanted something to occupy their time, besides school, work and other activities.
Using their own resources and previous acting experience, Mallory and Wright started their own play production company, Stagelove Productions. While the company is independent of SUU, Wright said they were given permission to use the Sterling R. Church Auditorium for their first production, Grimm Tales.
Grimm Tales features the original fairy tales created by The Brothers Grimm including Hansel and Gretel, Ashputtel, The Golden Goose and The Magic Table.
“Grimm Tales was an adaptation written for the stage,” Wright said. “It’s much different than Disney’s take on the fairy tales.”
Mallory said that Grimm Tales in an “ensemble piece.”
“I really wanted to push unity and I love ensemble pieces,” she said. “Ensemble pieces mean the characters are always interacting ... the characters are actively involved.”
In Grimm Tales, the actors and actresses have more than one role. Not only do they have character parts, but they are also on stage as the scenery.
Kelley Wood, a freshman theatre arts major from Riverton, said she has more than one part in the play. Wood also appears on stage as a tree.
“When we auditioned, it wasn’t just about sound,” she said. “It was also about movement.”
Mallory and Wright immediately started putting the play together after getting a faculty member’s “blessing,” Mallory said.
“Even though it’s separate, I still wanted their blessing,” she said. “After getting a faculty member from the theatre department’s support, I held auditions, cast and began rehearsing.”
With two school breaks taking place after the roles were cast, Wright said it was difficult to put together in essentially five weeks.
Mallory said it was “quite the process.”
“The whole thing has been a balancing act,” she said. “It’s meant a lot of late nights, staying up, and support from friends and peers.”
Mallory also credits the cast, SUU theatre arts major students, for putting forth hard work.
“The cast is amazing,” she said. “They give 110 percent and are always willing to pitch in.”
Bryan Nelson, a freshman theatre arts major from Tridell, said while he auditioned “just for fun,” it’s been a great experience.
“For four weeks, two hours a day, I’ve had an escape hour,” he said. “It’s been work and intense practice, but it’s really fun.”
Wright said the purpose of the play is to “bring out the child in everyone.”
Mallory changed the original Grimm Tales’ production by adding “Grimmies” to the plot. The “Grimmies” exist as storytellers and “night creatures” who try and get the children in the audience to sleep.
Wright said that the play is especially for younger kids, but can be enjoyed by “the whole community.”
“The whole set is designed as a pop-up book,” he said.
While Mallory said the last week before the performance is often the most stressful and challenging, it is also the most rewarding.
“At the beginning of the production, you don’t know how all the pieces are going to come together,” she said. “You never know it until it happens and then you’re forced to revise your plan. That’s one of my favorite parts.”
“Grimm Tales” will have both 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Ticket prices are $5, with a two-for-one deal on Thursday.
To get involved with future shows, visit www.stageloveproductions.blogspot.com.
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