“The Learned Ladies” is a comedic play set in the 18th century that showcases a family consumed with knowledge and advancement, even bartering their own daughter for a scholarly marriage instead of the love of her life. The Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts at Northwestern State University performed its rendition at Theatre West from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.
Ayden Hymel is a freshman performance and directing major who wants to see as many CAPA productions as she can. Hymel commented on how the several blackouts during the production allowed her to reflect on the scenes before.
“Towards the middle, the character Trissotin was reciting a sonnet written with so much passion that when he gets to a part about drowning, he acts it out and the three scholarly women who are watching him just completely reenact the drowning as well,” Hymel said.
Hymel stated that seeing “The Learned Ladies” was a fun opportunity to laugh and learn about classical plays. “One of my favorite things is the fact that Theatre West is a thrust stage [a stage surrounded by the audience on three sides], so I could see one of my friends literally on the other side, and I got to see his reaction to everything that was happening,” Hymel said.
“The Learned Ladies” production set the scene by having classical music playing before the show, the set resembling a mansion, and costuming in period style.
Beau Bernard is a freshman musical theater major who enjoyed the elegant and elaborate set design. “There was always something for me to look at, whether it be the costumes, the staging, the lighting or their expressions. My eyes never had a reason to wander,” Bernard said.
Bernard thought that watching his friends perform made the play even funnier. “Everyone’s expressions and faces were just amped up. These people were very much playing characters, and my stomach was hurting because I was laughing the whole time,” Bernard said. “There was just a rhythm to the timing, and it was just so ridiculous that you could not anticipate what was going to happen.”
“The Learned Ladies” cast consisted of 10 actors and actresses who, with the design crew and directors, worked to achieve an expressive and comedic production.
Judah Castille is a freshman musical theater major, and this was his first time witnessing a play. One of Castille’s favorite things about the production of “The Learned Ladies” was the diverse character roles and comedic timing.
“I personally liked how actor KeShawn Bridgewater played multiple different people. He kept going backstage and coming back out in a different character, and it added intrigue to the scenes he was in,” Castille said.
“What I got from the play was that you have to advocate for yourself,” Castille said. “The daughter let her mother and father pick her suitor, even though the daughter wanted to marry another guy from the jump, so don’t be afraid to speak out about what you want.”
“The Learned Ladies” allowed NSU to experience a rhythmic comedy featuring scholarly women feuding over marriage arrangements, performed by NSU students who dedicated their time and efforts to making the show memorable.
