Each year, the students of Theatre Fairfield select and produce a show as a part of the Independent Play Project. Entirely student-run, this year’s production of The 39 Steps: Even More Abridged is definitely a standout.
Alongside classmate Nora Jacobi ‘25, Angelo Corsini ‘25 discusses the work this kind of showcase demands. As directors, both Jacobi and Corsini started working on a proposal for this show in June.
“After a lot of back and forth, we finally landed on 39 steps,” Corsini explains.
Although the faculty was concerned about the rehearsal period, as the cast and crew would only have around three weeks to perfect the production, the directors were given the green light.
To get the show as composed as possible, each member of the cast and crew balanced final exams alongside rehearsals, set building, costume design and so much more. This diligent group even cut their winter break five days short to make the show the best it could be.
As a capstone project for theater majors Jacobi and Corsini, it is evident that passion and heart has been poured into this production. “The most gratifying part of the experience is the atmosphere in rehearsals,” Corsini shares.
“Everyone is having fun, everyone is friends with everyone, it is such a positive environment,” he describes.
The chemistry between these Stags is apparent on and off the stage, as everyone has put forth their heart and soul to bring this show to life.
First-year Dominic Chila, who plays Richard Hannay, describes his second production at Fairfield. “It has been an extremely enjoyable experience, everyone works so well together, we are all friends, it’s very cohesive,” he says.
Fellow first-year Oliver Merriam, who assumes the role of Clown, highlights his favorite parts of the production. “My favorite thing about this show is that it is student-run. It feels like a group hang out, with a lot of room for suggestions and collaborations,” he comments.
Another aspect of this production that stands out to Corsini is the flexibility and willingness of everyone. A student production comes with a lot of unexpected circumstances, but Corsini asserts how grateful he is to the cast and crew for their problem-solving abilities.
“For example, we’ve had a lot of problems with the door in the show,” Corsini explained.
“At first, it would not open, so our props department quickly added hinges. Then, during rehearsals one of the beams broke, so it was moved to the shop where it unfortunately fell over and broke, meaning we had to replace the entire door,” he continued, attributing the creation of a new door to tech director Kylee Faulkner ‘26.
Corsini also extends extreme gratitude on behalf of the entire production to their sponsor, the Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation. This foundation generously sponsored the show, allowing these students to have the opportunity to create and perform.
All of the ticket sales will also be going to Fellowship Place in New Haven, which will support programs that work to treat and provide assistance to adults living with chronic mental illness.
Despite working against the clock, and dealing with the twists and turns of any production, these students produced a show for the books!
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