By Melina Gyftopoulos
Entering through crafted metal detectors and sitting in the round, the College of the Arts at UF students transports audiences to the trials and tribulations of high school students in their production of Pipeline. The play highlights the “school-to-prison” pipeline with passion, precision, and a pop of personality!
Written by Dominique Morisseau, the play premiered at the Lincoln Center in New York City in June 2017. The story follows a committed educator who struggles between her son’s troubles in his own school, her love life, and her own students. The play is set in an unspecified inner city, in which the public school system is under duress. The motto of the work is: “Now. Undefined Space.” This generalized overlook allows viewers to connect their own experiences to the production.
The leading woman, in charge of both her classroom and the stage, Jade Alexandria Young–who played Nya in the production– powered through a whirlwind of emotions throughout the entirety of the play. Young not only commanded her students in class, but also made dynamic character choices that gave the audience full-body chills, especially during scenes like the panic-attack. Her chemistry with her castmates did not go unnoticed, as her motherly cries pierced the stage when speaking to Terrell Mitchell–who playedOmari–or when decompressing with her co-worker, Rylee Siegel–who playedLaurie. The son is perfectly depicted through the eyes and acting of Terrell Mitchell as he utilized a wide emotional range within his expressions. Mitchell cracked many successful comedic moments as well as turning up the heat when interacting with his sweet and spicy girlfriend, Ary’ana Nevaeh Davis, who playedJasmine. Davis embodied her character with full awareness and clear diction across all fours. While her character is a great texter, Davis is an even greater performer as she was able to create clear differences in power between her and castmates; although the actors ages don’t vary much, the power dynamics created between her and Young versus her and Mitchell were commendable.
The Chorus had palpable energy, whether it was singing in harmony or remaining fully engaged throughout each scene, they could be anyone’s hallway crush! The Chorus consisted of Ophilea Abidoye, Emily Mahleb, Princess Maxwell, and Angelina Velasco. This quartet of talent and personality acted to the beat of their own drums and assisted in creating the most touching moments of the play.
Being in a black box theatre made experiencing the production infinitely more intimate.. Audience members were greeted with a taste of public high school, as they were made to walk through a commendably crafted metal detector. Security guard Adrian Gandasasmita, who playedDun, maintained the tough guy demeanor while playfully interacting with everyone who entered. Amidst securing the school, fights on campus are bound to happen, and Rylee Siegel handled the students’ fight with grace, and a broomstick! Siegel’s stressful rants paired with her empathetic ear made for a pleasant watch and allowed for deeper introspection into educators in the public school system.
The technical elements of this production complimented the high quality of the cast’s performances. The set, courtesy of the student carpenters and scenic artists and advised by Mihai Ciupe, included stable platforms and precisely-placed benches that allowed the performers to explore the entire space beyond their acting. The properties master, Tony Berry, should be commended, as all cast members were very prop-aware and Nya’s cigarette prop was seamless. The lighting designs and operations paired with the sound designs allowed for smooth transitions from scene to scene and gorgeous pictures on stage. All cast members were well-dressed beautifully in fitted clothing and cohesive costumes. The hair braider and stylist, Lisshamah Gercilus, ensured each cast member had a different style and held up the entirety of the show. Lastly, the distinct management from director Ryan Hope Travis, impeccable cues by Cheyanne Gilreath, and complimentary choreography by Ary’ana Nevaeh Davis assembled a flawless exhibit of talent. Together, these aspects communicated heavy themes of communications, race and education, and family dynamics.
Whether it’s through the eyes of the witty high school girlfriend, the stressed and worrisome adults, or the self-righteous son, the College of Arts at UF’s production of Pipeline provides a poetic and eye-opening perspective on the American education system.
UF PRISM 