“Rumors” And Facts About The Gwangju Performance Project
Photos by Jordan VanHartingsveldt
The Gwangju Performance Project (GPP), the local amateur performance troupe, is busy preparing this summer’s production of “Rumors,”a farcical play written by Neil Simon. According to GPP treasurer and cast member Joey Nunez, the story is “very line-driven” and “a conversational war between characters.”
The GPP was founded in 2011 by English teachers Travis Major and Jo Park. To get a sense of the play and of the Gwangju community theater, Gwangju News sat down with GPP staff and cast members.
Anna Volle, GPP’s president and director of “Rumors”,chose this year’s first performance in fall 2013, after the play “Why Torture is Wrong and The People Who Love Them”received a mixed response.
“The play itself was controversial and not all people who saw the show liked it,” Volle said. “Black humor is hard in any language and it doesn’t always cross borders… I wanted the new play of the year to be something that everyone could enjoy, something that was light-hearted and fun.”
That’s exactly what “Rumors” is, says Lisa Mynhardt, vice-president of the GPP and the show’s stage manager. “A glimpse into the unbelievable life of the insane upper class, it will get more than a chuckle out of everyone.”
Heather Aitken, who serves as the play’s assistant director as well as GPP secretary, sees the GPP growing into a strong community project. “I want people to know that when we audition, it’s open to anyone in the community. We aren’t a clique. Anyone can be involved. GPP can facilitate joining together the Korean and the foreign communities through the performing arts.”
“Rumors”casts a Korean actress in a GPP production for the first time. Susie Choe is a Gwangju native and fourth-year Chonnam National University student. After performing in the Gwangju Vagina Monologues this past April, Choe auditioned for “Rumors”.
“I didn’t think I could do this, didn’t even think about taking the audition,” Choe said, “because I’m not a native speaker.”
Choe said that while being the only Korean is sometimes a challenge, it does not hold her back from participating. “I don’t feel uncomfortable being with foreigners. The thing I’m worried about the most is bothering other people because of my English ability, but the directors have been so generous to me, so I have no problem so far. And yes I think other Koreans also can get involved if they are willing to. If I can, everyone can! I’m enjoying it, and I just can’t wait to be on the stage!”
Since taking over as GPP president in March, Volle has seen the group expand beyond theater, incorporating a new choir, an emerging dance troupe and monthly theme-based performance workshops.
She cites the recent raffle fundraiser as a particular success. “It dramatically changes your options when you have some funding to set things in motion in the first place, being able to fund more larger and daring projects.”
Volle’s dream is for the GPP to become a full-scale Gwangju-based community program. “People who would like to get involved in dance and theater can go to a workshop and learn a little bit and maybe they [can] try auditioning.”
“What we’re doing,” Joey Nunez summarized, “is leaving footprints in the Gwangju community for residents who will be here 5, 10, 15, 20 years from now. Our future looks very bright!”
The “Rumors”performances are 7pm July 12, 3pm July 13, 2pm + 7pm July 19 and 3pm July 20, at the theater inside the Gwangju Foreign Language Network (GFN) building in Sajik Park. The performances will include Korean subtitles. GPP membership is 10,000 won per year.
For more information, please visit: www.gwangjutheatre.com