In a small black box theater, three women sat in a shabby motel, an old projector hanging overhead. Surrounded by yellow tinted lights, confusion, arguments and curiosity poured out of actors and into the audience, leading viewers with difficult questions about morality. From Oct. 16-18, a UT student-led production of “Tape” invoked personal reflection.
“Tape,” a one-act play by Stephen Belber, tells the story of former high school friends, Jon and Vince, as they confront their pasts, namely an accusation of sexual assault involving Amy Randall, a girl they both dated. Dealing with sensitive topics, the show explores ideas of memory and accountability through an all-female cast.
“(The cast) brings a really interesting perspective to performing the characters,” said Grant Lee Bomar, director of the play and theatre and dance junior. “I’m not a woman. I don’t have these experiences to draw from, so my perception may be a bit more conceptual in terms of identity, relating how evil and good can interact and form one’s identity.”
The play, originally written in 1999, shares messages that have remained prevalent, even in today’s society.
“There’s a growing attitude of complacency in the treatment of women by men today. … My hope is that people watch (the play) and understand that,” said Adelaide Mosel, radio-television-film sophomore and actor playing Amy.
The production deals with the duality individuals possess, Bomar said. The characters Jon and Vince display this idea.
“Something can look on the surface as unassuming, and then underneath, have darkness within it,” Bomar said. “Those things often coexist.”
“Tape” calls audience members to examine their own morality through Jon and Vince. Ace Grossman, freshman theatre and dance major and actor playing Jon, said although Jon is the confirmed perpetrator, Vince is held equally guilty for his complacency as a bystander.
“I hope people take a lesson from each of the characters, see how that relates to who they are as a person, and think, ‘What should I do so this can’t happen again?’” Grossman said.
Abigail Egbujor, finance junior and actor playing Vince, said despite the show’s heavy topics, a sense of hope can be found within the production.
“One of the biggest things that helped me find hope while doing (this show) was to remember that there’s always going to be a tomorrow,” Egbujor said.
Above all else, Egbujor said the nonconformist production leaves audience members with feelings of female empowerment.
“I always want to do works like this where I’m reminded that I am proud to be ‘woman,’ no matter the situation,” Egbujor said. “At the end of the day, ‘woman’ is something to be proud of.”
