Creative Project “Theater-University”: INRTU's Students Watched the Premiere of the Youth Theater Named After A. Vampilov
The premiere of the play “Why Are You Leaving?” took place in the concert hall of INRTU within the framework of the creative project “Theater-University”. Students and employees from Schools and Colleges of INRTU were interested in the show.
Tatyana Dashko, Head of the Center for Cultural, Mass and Educational Work, said that the project “Theatre-University” has been implemented for about 10 years:
“Together with Irkutsk theaters, we hold creative meetings, host actors on our stage, and perform their plays at the theaters' venues. Especially warm friendship has been established with the Youth Theater Named After A. Vampilov.
Basically, the university hosts shows of the youth repertoire, which resonates among the INRTU's students. Such events allow us to open the doors to the world of theater for our students and introduce the work of Irkutsk troupes to students from other cities."
Director Dmitry Ivanov, who graduated from the Irkutsk Theater School, addressed the audience with a welcoming speech. He said that the play “Why Are You Leaving?” is based on the play “Butterflies Are Free” by American playwright and screenwriter Leonard Gershe. The work tells the love story of a blind boy from a wealthy family and an eccentric girl who dreams of becoming an actress.
The action takes place in New York in the late 1960s and early 1970s. During this period, the hippie movement flourished. The atmosphere of that time was emphasized by the characters' desire for freedom, and it was reflected in the scenery. For example, a bright accent was graffiti depicting the international symbol of peace.
Students were fascinated by the relationship between modest Donald Baker, who ran away to New York because of his mother's tutelage, and young eccentric Jill Tanner, who suddenly appeared in his life. Different in temperament, the characters have a similar worldview. He dreams of becoming a musician, she - an actress. Both have escaped from their parents' home and do not realize that freedom is always comes hand in hand with responsibility and the ability to be accountable for one's actions.
Students of the School of Economics, Management and Law and the School of Architecture, Construction and Design showed great interest in the premiere.
Appolinaria Sudorenko, a future lawyer, shared her impressions of the performance:
“Theater is always full of lively emotions. The premiere was memorable for the performance of the actors and the fascinating plot. Despite the fact that the play was written in the last century, the themes it raises are still relevant today. For example, the problem of fathers and children.
I don't visit theaters often, but after watching it, I will keep an eye on the playbills of the Youth Theater and other Irkutsk theaters."
