By: Michaiah Varnes\/\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hood College Theatre is preparing for two fall productions– \u201cTell Me Something Good\u201d and “Orlando.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Assistant professor of English Aaron Angello will direct both plays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A large turnout came for auditions, which were held earlier in September, Angello said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Orlando” is a Sarah Ruhl adaptation of the classic Virginia Woolf novel that was published in 1927.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The backstory of Orlando starts around 1600, when he was a courtier and a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I, and follows his life to 1927, when he changes genders and becomes a woman. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a really crazy kind of experimental novel from the early 20th century,” Angello said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ruhl reimagines a difficult novel in a way that makes it really theatrical and fun, Angello said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seven actors play 20 roles in the play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not meant to be realistic, so they get to jump in and it\u2019s very showy and performative,\u201d Angello said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Angello explains that Woolf intentionally played around with ideas of gender in the novels as a way of exploring what it means to be a woman. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt sort of embraces the idea of gender fluidity and the complications around gender. Theater has always been a place where queer artists have found a home. And I think that Hood still is,\u201d Angello said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Orlando” is set to open Oct. 14 in the Black Box Theatre and run until Oct. 16.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Tell Me Something Good,” a play bout disparate characters entangled in self-doubt, will open on Oct. 21 and run until Oct. 23.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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