IWU Theatre Guild prepares for “The Importance of Being Earnest”

Indiana Wesleyan University’s Theatre Guild is preparing to present “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde. The show will open on November 7 at IWU’s Blackbox Theatre in the Phillippe Performing Arts Center.

Steve Wood is the director of this play, and said he looks forward to bringing fun and laughter to the audience.

“We were looking for something that would be lighthearted, that would be romantic,” Wood said, “It’s a romantic comedy, and it’s something that’s had a long life and has been popular for 130 plus years.”

Abby Shewan is a junior who has been in four other IWU Theatre Guild Productions. She will be playing Lady Bracknell.

“Just feel free to laugh, because that’s what the actors want,” Shewan said. “They want the audience engaged and interacting and laughing until they fall out of their chairs.”

Theatre is no longer offered as a major at IWU, but Wood said he was able to witness his students continue to work hard within the program.

“It’s been really inspiring to work with a group of students who didn’t quit on the program, and are still trying to get everything out of it that they can get out of it,” Wood said.

Shewan is one of the few remaining theatre majors. 

“It’s been really interesting because (The Theatre Guild)was a little bit small last year, but we’ve had a lot of theatre minors join, and so our guild is actually pretty big this semester,” Shewan said. “Which is super encouraging to see that even though it’s not offered as a major, there are still plenty of people interested in the theatre, which definitely gives us as a Guild hope for the future of the theatre division here at IWU.”

Anna Blower is a sophomore in the program, and will be playing Gwendolen Fairfax, an upper class English girl. Last year, Blower performed as Katrina, a 12-year-old girl, in IWU Theatre Guild’s original production “Finding Home.”

“For this preparation for the character, I’ve had to learn how to sit up straight all the time. You’re not allowed to touch your hair, we have to learn the British accent,” Blower said. “And there’s also a lot more words in this play to memorize, so it’s been very different.”

Blower is not only playing a lead role in this production, but is also aiding in designing the set.

“This is my first time playing a lead, this is my first time playing a lover, and this is my first time having so many lines. But it’s also my first time designing the set and painting a set,” Blower said. “So a lot of firsts, which is exciting, but it has been a lot to balance.”

So much preparation has gone into the production that the Guild hopes can become a relaxing break for students, couples and families.

“This is a play that is for everybody. It’s not the most meaningful and philosophically deep show you’re ever going to see, it’s just silly,” Wood said. “It’ll be great for a date night, or if you want to take your kid to something, and you’re wondering if they’re gonna enjoy it, it’ll be the show for them too.”

The show on Saturday, November 9 has already been sold out. Members of the IWU Theatre Guild encourage audiences to come in ready to laugh and enjoy the performance.