Grand Valley State University Theatre‘s production of ‘Circle Mirror Transformation’ hit the stage this past weekend, celebrating its opening night Friday.

‘Circle Mirror Transformation’ is a humorous and uplifting play that spotlights an adult acting class in Vermont. In the play, acting exercises are used to develop the characters and form emotional connections between those on stage and the audience. The premise offers the cast the unique experience of playing character who are also actors.   

Student Paige Clark said opening night snuck up on the cast, who had spent rehearsals not just learning their scripts, but also embodying their characters.

“I knew opening night would come, but it is always astounding how fast the show process moves here at GVSU,” Clark said. 

Clark plays the role of Theresa, an actress who’s moved to a small Vermont town to escape career struggles and relationship problems. Theresa brings a lot of energy to the stage, which Clark said she’s had to prepare for properly. To do this, she likes to do her makeup and hair at home, where she is calmer. Her pre-show prep is finalized before nerves have the potential to set in backstage, where nervous hum and excitement are present.  

“The show is demanding,” Clark said. “I need all the energy I can (get) to give my best performance.”

Elijah LaBurn plays the aloof and detached James, a character who struggles to open up, said he was nervous to perform due to the complexity of his character. 

“A part of me was nervous,” LaBurn said. “I still feel like I could communicate aspects of my character better.” 

To help the cast connect with their complex characters, in-character activities and vocal warmups are used during rehearsals and before performances. The cast even hula-hooped as their characters to help loosen up nerves. 

“This is a challenging play, and communicating character intention and action is a complex affair,” LaBurn said.

Kylee Coster, who plays Marty, the acting coach who leads the class through their onstage transformations, said her character is an eccentric and nurturing hippie with a huge presence. Since the role is so dynamic, Coster said she worked on breathing exercises to calm her nerves, and listened to a specific music playlist to get into the right mindset. 

“I love to get into the headspace of (my character) by listening to a Spotify playlist I made with songs (I think my character) would listen to,” Coster said. “(I listen to) Stevie Nicks in particular.”

While this was Coster’s first production with the Department of Music, Theater and Dance, she said she hopes it will not be her last. 

“I’ve learned so much throughout rehearsals,” Coster said. “I cannot wait to continue involvement with this program.”  

Tickets for ‘Circle Mirror Transformation’ are still available for purchase for the show’s Nov. 20-23 performances.