Augusta University presents 'Machinal' in a new light
Caroline Holt (left) and Sebastian Greene (right), practice a scene from Augusta University’s upcoming play, Machinal. (photo by Liz Wright)
By Liz Wright | Contributor
Augusta University’s upcoming spring play, Machinal, revolves around the story of a young lady who struggles with balancing the expectations of being a woman in the 1920s and 40s.
Machinal is premiering March 17-20 in the Maxwell Theatre. On dates March 17-19, the play shows at 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. On March 20, it shows at 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“The play takes on a pilgrimage of a young woman through these various stations of her life to where she briefly meets someone and experiences freedom, true love, and romance that ultimately unravels her life,” said director and Augusta University communications professor, Douglas Joiner.
Machinal follows the story of a young woman who works as a low-level stenographer and lives with her mother. She eventually agrees to marry her boss, who repulses her, and, after having a baby with him, engages in an affair with a younger man who romances her. After the affair, the young woman struggles to handle different aspects of her life as well as her mental and physical health.
Joiner described the upcoming play as a “perfect example of early American expressionist and feminist theater.”
Joiner said he chose Machinal as this year’s play for its unique storyline and remarkable playwright that he feels should be more well known.
“It is a terrific example of this style of theater written by a female American playwright so few people know about,” he said. “I call it the most important play no one’s ever heard of.”
Written by Sophie Treadwell, Joiner said Machinal tells the story of a young woman, in the 1920s, living with “limited opportunities for economic stability” and shows how a woman must “balance her economic livelihood with her emotional health.”
Within the play, the main protagonist suffers sexual trauma by her newly wedded husband, Mr. J.
Sebastian Greene, the lead actor, who plays Mr. J, says that male college students can learn from seeing mens’ actions through a young woman’s perspective.
“I think the biggest thing they can learn is probably the fact that there is this myth amongst guys that you can just convince [a girl] that she likes you and that’s definitely not true, and this play makes it painfully clear that that’s not true,” said Greene.
Greene says that he hopes some men will watch this play and learn from his character’s mistakes and actions by becoming more aware of their actions and how it affects others, specifically women.
“It’s very nice to be in a play … where hopefully some people watch me act … and consider that maybe they need to take their own actions more deeply into consideration in the hope that they don’t fall into this trap that society convinces them that they can pretty much do whatever they want without considering what’s really happening,” he said.
Greene said that he hopes his acting will help teach viewers, men especially, to be better with their behavior and their intentions towards women.
Caroline Holt, the lead actress, plays the young woman the story of Machinal is centered around and is able to connect past situations with the moments of the character’s life.
“It took a lot for me to get into my character because I kind of had to touch into my past and relate to past experiences that I have had … which were unfortunate,” said Holt. “We’re kind of total opposites … but I do sympathize with her and understand what she’s going through because there was a time when I was in a similar situation.”
Holt’s character involves reciting several difficult monologues and portraying the young woman’s different mental states and her progression through various hardships.
“I really do feel for her and I enjoy playing this character, like a lot,” she said.
Find ticket prices below:
General public: $10.00
Augusta University alumni: $7.00
Seniors (60+): $7.00
Military: $7.00
Students and children: $5
AU and EGSC faculty and staff: $5.00
AU and EGSC students: FREE with valid JagCard
FREE tickets for High School students available at the door.
Contact Liz Wright at elizwright@augusta.edu.
