Senior Kevin Courtade and first-year Drew Smith perform
in the dress rehearsal of “X< Steve Here 2.0.”
DARA HOU / THE DEPAUW
If you went on adventures to hike through the Appalachian Trail, paddle hundreds of miles on the Green and Colorado Rivers and explored other areas of wilderness around the country, what would you want do next?
Write and direct a play based off them?
That’s exactly what Professor Steve Timm is doing with his original production “X < Steve Here 2.0,” which opens this week.
“When you’re deep in the wild for extended periods of time, the daily routine of sleep, eat, hike or paddle, make camp, eat, sleep freeze up the mind to really travel and … observe,” said Timm. “Once I settle in the creative process begins and every encounter holds the potential for meaning.”
The play is composed of “a collection of monologues and vignettes,” with each scene introducing a new character that Timm meets during his journey. Senior Grace Lazarz was able to explain one of Timm’s monologues through the description of her character.
“It’s called ‘Good At Finding Dead Bodies’ and I’m actually playing a nameless character,” said Lazarz. “The basic premise is this woman’s husband Evan is called upon whenever someone goes missing along the creek they live near, as he is skilled at finding dead bodies. Her struggle is coping with his job and with their unhappy material relationship as well.”
Having come to DePauw in 1990, Timm has long established himself as a respected member of the theatre department.
“Steve is a great director to work with,” said Lazarz. “He’s challenging, he never lets you off easy or lets you stop working.”
Senior Kevin Courtade agreed.
“‘Battle, Baby, Bird’ was also directed by Steve [and] I had a great experience working under him that time,” said Courtade. “When I heard he was directing another play, I wanted to get involved.”
Despite the originality behind “X < Steve Here 2.0,” this isn’t Timm’s first time in using theatre as a way to share his experiences. Having gone on these “sabbaticals” for the last 12 years, Timm also recounted his past adventures in 2007’s “Steve Here > X,” with this week’s production serving as what some may call a sequel.
But even to those who are new to DePauw Theatre, Timm’s play has kept them involved from the start. One of these newcomers includes first-year Drew Smith.
“It was interesting to see the progression of the play from conception to direction and finally production, especially since I’m in Steve’s class and helped with concept ideas for some of the production,” said Smith.
Considering it “has something for everyone,” Timm’s play shouldn’t be overlooked as just one of the four main stage shows put together every year by members of DePauw’s faculty.
“Steve’s writing is incredible, It’s got everything a good play needs,” said junior and assistant director Laura Loy. “I hope everyone comes out to see all the hard work we have put into this.”
The play will open Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. in Moore Theatre of the GCPA. There will also be Friday and Saturday night performances at 7:30 p.m., followed by a Sunday matinee at 1 p.m..