Augustana Theater stages “Almost, Maine”
Ribbons of green, teal, blue and magenta light flicker above a lone couple, surrounded by the icy winter landscape of a small town in Maine.
As the ribbons glow, flicker and dissipate, their eyes are drawn starward toward the magical aurora borealis scene. In a moment that feels otherworldly, the key takeaway is one of Earthly significance: this life we live and all of the love within it is fleeting but beautiful.
Augustana’s theater program is preparing to bring John Cariani’s play “Almost, Maine” to the Edith Mortenson Center Theatre Friday, Nov. 22 through Sunday, Nov. 24. From awkward beginnings, through tumultuous and bittersweet ends, “Almost, Maine” explores romantic relationships in all their stages.
The play unfolds in nine vignettes and includes a prologue, interlude and epilogue. In each of the scenes, a magical moment occurs, and a light show reminiscent of the aurora borealis – or the northern lights – flares up the tallest heights of the theater and a “cyclorama,” a screen that is used to give the illusion of sky.
Junior actor Jaxon Johnson said “magical moments,” where the Auroras appear in the sky ground the characters in reality.
“Even though they’re up in the sky, right?” Johnson said. “That itself can be grounding.”
Professor Dan Workman is the co-director of “Almost, Maine” with junior Mikennah Oleson. In the past, Workman has mentored students as assistant directors, but he’s never worked as a co-director with a student before.
Oleson said Workman approached her after they had discussed ideas for her then-assistant directorship.
“We both felt so strongly about the heart of the show and the juxtaposition of being cold and outside with all of these characters but feeling the warmth and the love that comes from each of these scenes and how emotional and connected everything is in this show,” Oleson said.
On top of Oleson being a co-director, Workman said the play will host a range of student designers including junior lighting designer Ravi Plath, senior scenic designer Quinn Ward, freshman sound designer Lauren Murphy and sophomore prop designer Ryne Pauling.
The original performance cast only four actors, and each actor took on multiple roles. Augustana Theater cast 19 actors in their performance of “Almost, Maine.” Nobody will be doubling parts. It was part of the reason they chose the play, Workman said, because casting was so versatile.
Johnson said there are many more freshmen in theater this year than last.
“But this whole time in ‘Almost, Maine,’ I’ve got to get to know a bunch of the freshmen,” Johnson said. “You know, talk with people. It’s great to talk with people, and to actually work with people.”
Avery Hemminger, who plays Marvelyn in one of the play’s nine vignettes, previously performed in the student-led show “12 Angry Jurors.”
“‘Almost, Maine’ helped me kind of push out of my comfort zone,” Hemminger said. “I’ve definitely learned what my limits are and some of those things that maybe I struggle with more as an actor. I’ve really kind of tried to push myself out of that box.”
Johnson agreed that “Almost, Maine” is testing the range and breadth of actors’ crafts, including with actors he’s seen perform many times before. He said because some of the scenes are so emotionally taxing, being comfortable with emotional boundaries is a skill actors in the play are working on.
Oleson said she’s enjoyed working with the cast of “Almost, Maine” as they navigate difficult topics.
“The cast overall is such a wonderful group with such excitement and passion for what they’re doing,” Oleson said. “That makes it a lot easier for me to stand in front of them and be like, ‘I’m gonna ask you to do something a little silly here, but trust me. It’s gonna work.’”