Director returns for second
play
By Alicia Swan
Staff
Writer
Director Jeff Casazza didn't know he was interested
in theatre until he attended an audition with his best friend in high
school.
"I was always involved in art in some way," said
Casazza. "I just knew I liked it since high school."
Before Casazza returned to direct at Purdue for
the second time with "The Glass Mendacity," which will be at 8 tonight
in Creative Arts Building 3, he pursued acting at Ball State University
until he became interested in directing.
He took a directing class, and he found it was
what he really enjoyed.
Today Casazza works at the Indianapolis Repertory
Theatre, where he helps other directors with their productions.
He also has dabbled in work at the Indianapolis
Civic Theatre and at several small theatres around Chicago and Tallahassee,
Fla.
Last year Casazza did his first Purdue production,
"Slow Dance on the Killing Ground," which he liked because it was a
play that is rarely done.
He also enjoyed directing the play because the
venue in which it was presented, the Black Box theatre located in Creative
Arts 3. He said the small theater offered a good setting for a play
that requires a lot of audience intimacy.
Tiffany Smith, a junior in the School of Liberal
Arts, worked with Casazza on his upcoming play.
"The Glass Mendacity" is a spoof on three classic
Tennessee Williams plays — "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "The Glass
Menagerie" and "A Streetcar named Desire."
Casazza said that he enjoys directing plays at
Purdue because of the students and faculty, amongst other things.
"The program is small enough for personalization
and big enough for great productions," said Casazza.
Lori Sparger, Purdue Theatre marketing director,
said that Casazza was a great director to work with.
Sparger said Casazza's been going "beyond the call
of duty," despite his daily hour drive to rehearsal each night.
"He's been doing all kinds of extra things," said
Sparger.
Although the rest of the directing slots have been
filled for the remainder of the 2001-2002 season, Casazza admits he
would love to direct again at Purdue.
"If I were invited, I would return. I really enjoy
my time here," said Casazza.
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