The Binghamton University Theatre Department is back up and running in person! Triptych: An Experience in Three Acts will be the department’s first live performance on stage with a physical audience since the fall 2019 semester. The play will open at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, in the Anderson Center’s Chamber Hall on campus.

Triptych, directed by Elizabeth Mozer, is a production that consists of three one-act plays: “Self Help in the Anthropocene” by Kristin Idaszak, “The Stronger” by August Strindberg (adapted by E. Mozer) and “The Jewish Wife” by Bertolt Brecht. The plays take place during different time periods, but are woven together through common themes of leaving home due to climate crisis, social roles, relationships and human rights.

When selecting a production for this fall, Mozer explained how the department wanted to look for non-artistic elements that would make it pandemic-friendly.

“The fact that there are three different plays, not all the actors had to be called all the time, every night. That was really good … for the students’ workload, but also not having a lot of people at rehearsal every time,” she said.

This production has been an adjustment for everyone in the department. Uniquely, each play in Triptych has one person talking individually for the majority of a scene. Ruby McEwen, who acts in “Self Help in the Anthropocene,” found the monologues challenging because she can’t rely on prompts from queue lines.

“Especially with my play, I’ve noticed I could completely skip a chunk and not realize it because my character speaks in kind of an abstract and scattered way. It’s definitely been a challenge, but an opportunity I’ve been grateful for,” she said.

She is also grateful for all the work that goes into a live stage production. She participated in Zoom productions last semester, and had to deal with her own props, lighting and costumes while performing alone in her room.

COVID protocols

The fully vaccinated actors will be unmasked on stage during the live performances. The company has also been receiving weekly coronavirus tests during rehearsals, and will be tested three times a week during unmasked rehearsals in advance of the performance. Those not on stage will still wear masks to ensure everyone’s safety.

“It is nice to see people taking precautions as needed, but also being able to take off a mask and perform. It’s great to see people’s faces. Emotions are so much in the whole face, not just in the eyes,” said Mary Chattin, who acts in ‘The Stronger.’

Mozer is looking forward to the return of the connection that happens between performers and audience, and its potential to open hearts. With the pandemic, theater has lacked “the communal experience that people have at the same time, in the same place, together. And there is something very basic in that common experience … that can change us, elevate us, move us,” she said.