AUGUST 13, 2021, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A3
Manuela Terlinden, who plays the role of Lena, prepares for her bartender duties.
Photo by MATT RAWLINGS of Keizertimes
“I am defi nitely not a horror writer
exclusively, but I do have a knack for
morbid stories that involve unsettling
topics,” Maeve Z said. “This is a story that
explores the darker side of relationships
… After the past year that we have had, we
should allow ourselves to be a little dark.”
“She just writes about people and
represents the full breadth of people in
America today,” Schmidt added. “I have
been trying to get works of Maeve's pro-
duced as much as possible because she
is a brilliant playwright.”
Putting on a suspenseful show can be
challenging when doing so outside when
the sun is still out — Schmidt's motivation
for having the show outside was to keep
people safe from COVID-19. However,
Schmidt has multiple theatrical tricks up
her sleeve to keep the audience on the
edge of their seats.
“We do it with our movement and how
we say our words. We mic up our cast so
they can speak in lower tones without
feeling the need to project through the
outside space. It allows the actors a full
range of expression,” Schmidt said. “Not
having lighting to play with was very
diffi cult, but it was really important to
keep our actors and audience safe at this
point,” Schmidt said.
One of the unique aspects of the show
is that there are no blackouts, transitions
or scene changes. Attendees will get to
witness the story unfold in real time.
But what Schmidt enjoys most about
the show is that it forces the audience to
come to their own conclusions.
“I really love the shows that don't
tell you everything that is going on, the
ones that leave it to your imagination,”
Schmidt said. “There is a big mystery
to this show that I think audiences are
really going to enjoy. Where some plays
take you straight through and tell you
everything that you're supposed to think
about the show, she leaves so much open
to the interpretation of the audience.”
“All of the characters are really rooted
in the reality that they are given. The sit-
uation might feel unorthodox, but every-
one that is contributing to each scene,
and each conversation is alive and real
inside of that moment,” added Christa
Fenton, who is playing the role of Lark,
Rue's wife.
At its core, Omission deals with the
nuances of human relationships, which
is why Maeve Z is greatly looking for-
ward to showing her work off to the
Keizer community.
“If you have ever been in a relation-
ship where you felt powerless, crazy or
desperately aff ected by it, you are not
alone,” Maeve Z said. “It is a play about
people. If you have interest in people and
the way they interact with each other, it is
defi nitely worth a watch.”
SUBSCRIBE
Keizer news in your mailbox
only $35 a year*
Body, Mind & Soul
Our residents enjoy an active, engaging lifestyle that promotes
wellness and independence. It is our goal to keep our residents linked
to resources and opportunities that will fulfi ll their needs and interests
in the Keizer area. Residents have many opportunities to participate
in a variety of life enriching activities and events designed to stimulate
the mind, body and soul.
From cocktail-hour gatherings where you can learn about the nuances
of a good Pinot Noir, to a discussion of the latest best seller in our
Life-Long Learning series, to exploring new ways to stay healthy in
a fi tness class.
Quality senior living for those who have
reached the age of sixty-two.
Call 503 . 390.1051
keizertimes.com/store
*Rate for inside Marion County
Come See the Finest in Senior Living!
CALL (503) 390 -1300
1165 McGee Ct NE, Keizer, OR • www.VillageAtKeizerRidge.com