Oleanna Review

By Gisselle Rueda, Skyline Reporter

Photo Taken by Gisselle Rueda

ALPINE - The Sul Ross Theater Program has delivered a notably intense performance through their recent adaptation of David Mamet’s “Oleanna.” 

“Oleanna” is a story about a female student who complicates her professor’s life by accusing him of sexual harassment.   

The characters’ emotions are depicted through their mannerisms and moody lighting. Justin Hinton, who plays the professor, and Olivia Pertuso, who plays Carol, provided the audience with excellent portrayals of these compelling characters. Hinton and Pertuso conveyed the characters’ emotions in a way that was both intense and thought-provoking.  

One of the most intriguing aspects of the play is that the two characters share so many similarities, one being that they both want power and will do whatever it takes to obtain it. 

Carol felt like her professor thought she was stupid. The professor tried to relate to her by telling her that, as a child, he was called stupid. As Carol explained her frustrations to the professor, her mannerisms and cluttered backpack emphasized her insecurity as a student. The professor’s impatience and quick-to-temper personality is defined through the play’s dialogue and prop design. Throughout most of the play, the professor stays behind his desk, because that is where he feels most in control. At certain points throughout the play, however, the staging and lighting redefined who held the power.  

The lighting and staging were impressive in this adaptation. In the first act, Carol’s academic frustrations prompted a meltdown. This resulted in her walking over to the corner and being overshadowed by her professor. During this scene, Carol looked so small and even silhuoette-like, but her professor looked perfectly normal and was easily seen. This artful use of staging and lighting is also used in the final act. She is emotionally broken down, and this is further supported by the careful use of theatrical lighting and staging. In the final act, the two characters emotions’ are at their pique. At this point in the play, Carol has already accused her professor of sexual harassment, which prompted the university to make the decision to terminate him, stunting his plans to buy a new house.  

The third act consists of Pertuso and Hinton’s more intense acting. They both define their characters’ breaking point in a way that leaves the audience stunned. The staging and costume design is also noteworthy in this part of the play. The professor’s clothing was rugged, his shirt is untucked and wrinkled which denotes his current position in life. As Carol was giving a monologue about ‘power’ from behind the professor’s desk, the professor made his way in front of the desk. This tiny change in placement was monumental and supported the fact that Carol now has the upper hand. In the end, the professor broke down and became physically aggressive towards Carol, and she is, once again, reduced to nearly nothing, leaving her terrified. Once the violence ended, the frazzled professor sat back in his chair leaving Carol in the corner.  

The play’s abrupt ending leaves the audience questioning what would happen next.