Among the theatre department, there is a well-known story of a bird that flew into the library of the former Theatre Arts Building - Ace Morgan, many years ago during a class and the journey of the professor going to get it out.
Senior Adam Venrick, is a Theatre major and ANSO minor, who decided to take this story and create and direct a comedy, titled Bird Variations, based on this story for DITA (Denison’s Independent Theatre Association) after taking a playwriting class.
There are 13 different variations of the bird story, and they work together to gradually become one larger story, where the professors involved, Dr. John Kellogg and Dr. Paul Lathem, figure out that they are stuck in a time loop.
Although Venrick’s primary interest is in performance and acting, he is very interested in creating new work and would like to ultimately work in independent films after graduation.
“This was particularly meaningful to me because it is a story that I have grown up hearing as part of the Theatre department and is something that other students in the department are familiar with. It’s a story without an ending, but I wanted to revisit the story and create my own twist to it, as I myself am approaching the end of my college career, and there is a lot of uncertainty involved in that. This is also a completely student run production from the actors to the staff involved and I couldn’t have done it without them!”
- Tommy Clayton ‘23 stars as Dr. John Kellogg
- Camron Alten-Dunkle ‘21 stars as Dr. Paul Lathem
- Charlie Dykstal ‘21 stars as The Bird
- William Main ‘23 and Genevieve Pfister ‘24 worked as Venrick’s understudies.
- Jack Lehman ‘23 is Assistant Director and Kaylah Linkiewicz ‘23 is the Stage Manager.
Performances in Burke Recital Hall in the Eisner Center April 1, 2 & 3 at 8pm, April 3 at 2pm. Tickets available for Denison Students, Faculty and Staff.
