EUGENE, Or - Jean-Paul Sartre is one of the best-known philosophers of the 20th century. His pursuit of philosophical reflection, literary creativity, and active political commitment gained him worldwide renown. Considered the father of existentialist philosophy, his brilliant play "No Exit" offers a taste of his point of view embodied by lines such as "You are your life, and nothing else." With three words repeatedly used in the play – "life," "dead," and "absent" – Sartre sets a distinctive worldview.
The play opens with a cordial valet leading Joseph Garcin into a drawing room decorated in the style of the second empire. Garcin is in hell, which to his surprise contains no torture devices, but does not allow one to ever sleep. Garcin is soon joined by Inez Serrano and Estelle Rigault. It quickly becomes apparent that these three are to share this room forever and that their conflicting desires are designed to inflict everlasting torture upon each other. Their interactions cleverly unfold to reveal the nature of their characters and why they are in Hell. The most famous line from the play, "Hell is other people," cleverly drives the dramatic action and embodies Sartre's Existentialist philosophy.
This is a unique production for Lane Community College. While performances at Lane are produced by the student-led Student Production Association, one show per year is designated as an opportunity for a student to take on the responsibility of directing a fully mounted production. Student David Trussel, who directed last year's "Spring Inspiration," a showcase of student written plays, takes the helm of "No Exit." This is yet another example of how the theatre program and SPA provide a hands-on, intensive approach to theatre training.
Show dates are November 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 at 7:30 p.m., and November 11 at 2 p.m., all in the Blue Door Theater, building 6, 4000 E. 30th Avenue in Eugene.
Tickets are $10 general admission and $8 students, seniors and Lane employees. Contact the SPA box office to reserve tickets at (541) 463-5761.
For disability accommodations, contact Center for Accessible Resources at (541) 463-5150 or (541) 463-3079 (TTY) at least one week in advance.
Lane is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution. Visit online at www.lanecc.edu or www.twitter.com/lanenews or www.facebook.com/lanecommunitycollege
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Media contact: Joan Aschim, PIO, aschimj@lanecc.edu or (541) 463-5591