Bella Poynton, assistant professor of theatre, gives direction at a rehearsal for ""An Existential Staged Reading of Jean-Paul Sartre’s 'No Exit.'" Presented by the Philosophy and Theatre Departments, the free event will take place on Wednesday, April 8 at 4:30 p.m. in Tyler Hall's Lab Theatre.
The SUNY Oswego Departments of Philosophy and Theatre will present "An Existential Staged Reading of Jean-Paul Sartre’s 'No Exit'" on Wednesday, April 8 at 4:30 p.m. in Tyler Hall's Lab Theatre. This event is free and open to the public.
This collaborative event is the culmination of a semester-long exploration of "Existentialist Theatre," led by Craig DeLancey, chair of the Philosophy Department, and Bella Poynton, assistant professor of theatre. Bringing together students and faculty from both disciplines, the project highlights the intersection of philosophical inquiry and theatrical performance.
“This project reflects our commitment to building meaningful connections across campus,” said professor Krystal Kennel, who chairs the Theatre Department. “Theatre has a unique ability to bring people together. While we frequently collaborate within the College of Communication, Media and the Arts, this year we are intentionally expanding those partnerships to include other academic disciplines.”
This initiative follows a successful interdisciplinary collaboration with the Physics and Astronomy Department on last fall’s production of "Silent Sky," and continues the department’s efforts to engage the broader campus community through innovative programming.
Written in 1944, "No Exit" is one of the most influential works of Existentialist drama. The play centers on three deceased individuals confined to a single room in Hell — not a place of fire and brimstone, but a claustrophobic drawing room where they are condemned to endure one another’s presence for eternity. Through sharp dialogue and psychological tension, Sartre explores themes of self-perception, judgment and the nature of human freedom.
The staged reading also underscores the diversity of theatrical forms.
“Not every theatrical experience needs to be a big, flashy musical,” Kennel added. “This event celebrates the power of intimate, thought-provoking and collaborative performance.” Although, she is quick to note, “Our big, flashy musical, 'All Shook Up,' opens in two weeks and tickets are now available at tickets.oswego.edu.”
-- Submitted by the Theatre Department