The lines between reality and fantasy blur in the upcoming Linfield College Theatre production, a suspense thriller about video games and the impact technology can have on lives and relationships.
“Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom” runs Nov. 6-8 and 13-15 at 7:30 p.m., with a late-night show on Friday, Nov.7, at 11 p.m. in the Marshall Theatre in Ford Hall at Linfield.
The production by Jennifer Haley explores the impact of technology on identity and human relationships and delves into the ethics encountered in virtual reality. In a suburban subdivision with identical houses, parents find their teenagers addicted to an online horror video game. The game setting is a subdivision with identical houses. The goal is to smash through an army of zombies to escape the neighborhood for good. But as the line blurs between virtual and reality, both parents and players realize that fear has a life of its own. Haley’s work explores the impact of technology on identity and human relationships and delves into the ethics encountered in virtual reality.
The play also investigates the communication gap between parents and children, according to Janet Gupton, director and associate professor of theatre arts.
“It serves as a cautionary tale about the need to question how much time is healthy to be spent on the internet in an already ‘plugged in’ world,” said Gupton.
Actors in the show will play two different characters, both an adult and a child, to push their acting abilities in character development. Cast members include sophomores Emilie Skladzien of Kamuela, Hawaii, Murphy Jackson of Hood River and Madilyn Bechtel of Kirkland, Wash.; juniors Emily Griffin of Napa Valley, Calif., and Travis McKenna of Elko, Nev.; and seniors Nicholas Granato of Damascus, MacKensie Sempert of Rhododendron; and Cody Meadows of Anchorage, Alaska.
Additionally, the crew will have a large role in bringing this thriller to life. Junior Mic Cooney of Beaverton is working as the videographer designer for the play’s technical and video demands. Senior Kelsey Garrett of Medford is serving as the assistant scenic designer and also will be creating original artwork that will be used in the show.
Tickets will go on sale Tuesday, Oct. 28, and will be available at http://www.linfield.edu/arts, by phone or at the Marshall Theatre Box Office. Tickets are $9 for full price; $7 for seniors (62+) and Linfield faculty and staff and $5 for students. There will be a $2 discount for everyone on opening night. Seating is reserved. Located inside the lobby of Ford Hall, the box office is open Tuesday through Friday from 3 to 5 p.m., and until performance time on performance days. The box office will also be open Nov. 8 and 15 from 3 to 7:30 p.m. The Marshall Theatre is fully accessible. This production is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
For more information, call 503-883-2292.
