Student-Produced Play to Show at Eastern: 'The Life of Dawson Radlow'

Willimantic, CT (10/18/2017) — Written by Jordan Corey

The "Phoenix New Play Series" is an annual theatre program at Eastern Connecticut State University that takes a student-written work and adapts it into a student-directed, minimalist play. On Oct. 21, McKenzie Fayne's "The Life of Dawson Radlow" will be brought to life. The free production will show at 7:30 p.m. in the Del Monte Studio Theatre of the Fine Arts Instructional Center.

"Seeing my story taken from page to stage is a surreal and humbling feeling," said Fayne '18, who majors in communication and resides in Chaplin. The play will be brought to fruition by student director Onyae Randall '19, who majors in theatre and resides in Milford, and her cast of nine student actors.

"I learned about 'Phoenix' my freshman year when I had the opportunity to act in a 'Phoenix' production," Randall said. "That's part of what sparked my interest in directing." She noted that having Fayne stand in on some rehearsals brought "great feedback" and provided a unique opportunity for creative conversation. "There is a certain beauty to the amalgamation of this learning process for everyone. I think that is really what education is about."

According to Fayne, "The Life of Dawson Radlow" spotlights true love, loss and family as the audience follows the main character Dawson through scenes of his life at different points in time. "My hope is that the audience can feel the pain, as well as joy, that Dawson feels in each particular moment. Every experience, whether good or bad, shapes you into the person you are presently and that is something I also hope is taken away from this story."

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