Collectively Created
Presented with The University of Iowa Theatre Arts Department
Director, Conceptual Storyboard, Sound/Music, Lighting
BLURB
Two families arrive, drawn to the same place. Then—suddenly—a gift from above. No sender. No instructions. Just bananas. At first, it’s a delight. A joke. A miracle. But as the fruit ripens, so does an unsettling feeling. Why are they here? And what happens when you eat one?
The bananas pile up. Joy turns to need. Need turns to claim. Lines are drawn, rules are made, sides are taken. And soon, nothing is just a banana anymore.
Production Photos
THE PROCESS
This piece started with 22 simple sketches. This provided the skeleton for the group dramaturgy and playwriting in rehearsal. Here are some samples:
The first rehearsal involved moving through this simple storyboard and uncovering the missing dramaturgy between the images. We explored, discussed, refined, stitched, and repeated. Characters emerged—their feelings, arcs, and motives. The central question—what happens when an object, symbol, or thing becomes more than it is through the culture formed around it—grew clearer with each iteration. Eight students and I began with this skeleton and ended with a tightly knit story about what happens when we fight for our beliefs in external things rather than our shared inner humanity.
Creative Team
Cast:
Dan Dickerson
Jordan Kinney
Holland Larned
Aleesa Lavrenko
Shelby Landuyt
Viviane Bonde
Cassel Rose
Chase Hohmann
Production Team
Aasrith Veerapaneni – Stage Manager
Nazanin Vakili – Scenic Designer
Chelsea Ann – Costume Designer
Emily Berkheimer – Media Designer
Grace Puchalla – Makeup
Molly Costello – Asst. Sound Designer
Colin Kiernan – Asst. Lighting Designer
Tommy Ferguson – Light Board Operator
Aayush Mistry – Sound Board Operator
Celia Bonawandt – Catwalk / Fly Operator
SØREN OLSEN 