Stephanie Kates
As a double major in French and Germanic studies, cince this course involves two things that I love to do (language and theatre), I thought “Der Besuch der alten Dame” would be a fantastic opportunity to have fun, learn, and meet new people. I was involved in theatre all throughout high school in our school’s theatre company, as well as in extra-curricular workshops and performances since I was a little girl.
The Visit is a play about an old, rich woman who, after betrayed by her adolescent lover, seeks revenge against him over 45 years later on the promise of paying the town 1 billion. This hilarious tale of revenge, manipulation, and paranoia is well worth seeing. The production is unique because of its absurdist and unbelievable premise while telling a story filled with the very real and understandable feelings of betrayal and suspicion.
Doing a play in another language with actors speaking at a variety of levels, it’s a challenge to accommodate all the different needs of the actors in the play. Getting a solid command of Dürrenmatt’s absurdity needed much background information and the ability to think outside the box. I hope to expand my directorial skills and gain experience in absurdist theatre after directing this play.
Sarah Corey
I’m currently in my second year of the business program. In the first two years of the program, I mostly have to do electives and a few prerequisites, so I decided to do the German Certificate of Language Proficiency. I heard about GMST 488 through my previous German professors and was encouraged to take it as it would help my speaking. To be honest, I was a little nervous about the course. To start off, I am not fluent in German, nor do I have any previous theatre experience; however, my career goals are in Human Resources, specifically in Corporate Training. I have a lot of experience in leadership roles and teaching, but this class has stretched my abilities in organization and communication, forcing me to constantly adapt and grow. So far, it’s been fantastic as the cast has been amazing.
“Der Besuch der alten Dame” is about a rich old lady, Claire Zachanassian, who returns to her childhood home to seek revenge on her former lover, Alfred Ill. Claire promises the town one billion dollars to kill Ill, as he betrayed her 45 years ago. The combination of an absurd request and ridiculous characters and makes this play different than any other. Claire Zachanassian is the ultimate villain, although by the end of the play, she isn’t the only one. Der Besuch der alten Dame delves quite heavily into the influence of money and how it can be used manipulatively.
Because this play is a class production with students of different language backgrounds, it brings fresh perspectives but also additional challenges. As a director with little German speaking ability, I have to focus on the movement of the play versus the pronunciation of the script. The actors who don’t speak German have had language coaching, which has already improved their skills. The play is off to a great start, and I’m excited to see the final product!
Daniel von Wiche
Due to my double major in History and Germanic Studies, as well as a minor in European Studies, I have had little time to pursue my interest in directing and production. While initially coming from a film background with my directing and production experience, I'm very much enjoying the 'natural' nature of theater, as it is not so artificial (no cutting, editing, shooting out of sequence, etc.). When I heard about the German language theater course offered by the Germanic Studies Department, I immediately jumped at the opportunity to combine my German language skills with acting and theater production. While some might argue I have taken on too much for this play (Co-director, language coach, and acting in a supporting role), I have been enjoying every moment of it. The interpersonal, social and group work basis of this course makes it a haven for extroverts such as myself.
The Visit, looking purely at the story line, is a dark, absurdist tragicomedy about a wealthy lady who returns to her impoverished hometown and attempts to buy justice by offering the entire town 1 billion if they kill her ex-lover, Alfred Ill. However, I see Dürrenmatt's play as a broad commentary on the nature of greed and money, and it's place within the overall human condition. Though it is cloaked by a veil of comedy and absurdity, the play really is a tragic story about the corrupting powers of greed.
While "Der Besuch der Alten Dame" is one of the cornerstones of German language theater, and has been performed countless times all over the world, the unique nature of our production is that the majority of the actors are only just starting to learn German. Many came into the classroom with very few German language skills, but through workshops and language coaching, we have trained them to a level that they will be able to present the play in a believable and moving way, even to a German speaking audience.
As a result, this project is a major undertaking, as they are not only learning correct pronunciation, but also understanding their lines, and the places of those lines within the overall play. Not only are they learning about one of the most important plays in the German language, but they are also becoming very proficient in the language itself as a result of their participation in this project. Even as I write this, before any formal dress rehearsals have begun, I already feel that this project has been a major success for those learning German.
As a double major in French and Germanic studies, cince this course involves two things that I love to do (language and theatre), I thought “Der Besuch der alten Dame” would be a fantastic opportunity to have fun, learn, and meet new people. I was involved in theatre all throughout high school in our school’s theatre company, as well as in extra-curricular workshops and performances since I was a little girl.
The Visit is a play about an old, rich woman who, after betrayed by her adolescent lover, seeks revenge against him over 45 years later on the promise of paying the town 1 billion. This hilarious tale of revenge, manipulation, and paranoia is well worth seeing. The production is unique because of its absurdist and unbelievable premise while telling a story filled with the very real and understandable feelings of betrayal and suspicion.
Doing a play in another language with actors speaking at a variety of levels, it’s a challenge to accommodate all the different needs of the actors in the play. Getting a solid command of Dürrenmatt’s absurdity needed much background information and the ability to think outside the box. I hope to expand my directorial skills and gain experience in absurdist theatre after directing this play.
Sarah Corey
I’m currently in my second year of the business program. In the first two years of the program, I mostly have to do electives and a few prerequisites, so I decided to do the German Certificate of Language Proficiency. I heard about GMST 488 through my previous German professors and was encouraged to take it as it would help my speaking. To be honest, I was a little nervous about the course. To start off, I am not fluent in German, nor do I have any previous theatre experience; however, my career goals are in Human Resources, specifically in Corporate Training. I have a lot of experience in leadership roles and teaching, but this class has stretched my abilities in organization and communication, forcing me to constantly adapt and grow. So far, it’s been fantastic as the cast has been amazing.
“Der Besuch der alten Dame” is about a rich old lady, Claire Zachanassian, who returns to her childhood home to seek revenge on her former lover, Alfred Ill. Claire promises the town one billion dollars to kill Ill, as he betrayed her 45 years ago. The combination of an absurd request and ridiculous characters and makes this play different than any other. Claire Zachanassian is the ultimate villain, although by the end of the play, she isn’t the only one. Der Besuch der alten Dame delves quite heavily into the influence of money and how it can be used manipulatively.
Because this play is a class production with students of different language backgrounds, it brings fresh perspectives but also additional challenges. As a director with little German speaking ability, I have to focus on the movement of the play versus the pronunciation of the script. The actors who don’t speak German have had language coaching, which has already improved their skills. The play is off to a great start, and I’m excited to see the final product!
Daniel von Wiche
Due to my double major in History and Germanic Studies, as well as a minor in European Studies, I have had little time to pursue my interest in directing and production. While initially coming from a film background with my directing and production experience, I'm very much enjoying the 'natural' nature of theater, as it is not so artificial (no cutting, editing, shooting out of sequence, etc.). When I heard about the German language theater course offered by the Germanic Studies Department, I immediately jumped at the opportunity to combine my German language skills with acting and theater production. While some might argue I have taken on too much for this play (Co-director, language coach, and acting in a supporting role), I have been enjoying every moment of it. The interpersonal, social and group work basis of this course makes it a haven for extroverts such as myself.
The Visit, looking purely at the story line, is a dark, absurdist tragicomedy about a wealthy lady who returns to her impoverished hometown and attempts to buy justice by offering the entire town 1 billion if they kill her ex-lover, Alfred Ill. However, I see Dürrenmatt's play as a broad commentary on the nature of greed and money, and it's place within the overall human condition. Though it is cloaked by a veil of comedy and absurdity, the play really is a tragic story about the corrupting powers of greed.
While "Der Besuch der Alten Dame" is one of the cornerstones of German language theater, and has been performed countless times all over the world, the unique nature of our production is that the majority of the actors are only just starting to learn German. Many came into the classroom with very few German language skills, but through workshops and language coaching, we have trained them to a level that they will be able to present the play in a believable and moving way, even to a German speaking audience.
As a result, this project is a major undertaking, as they are not only learning correct pronunciation, but also understanding their lines, and the places of those lines within the overall play. Not only are they learning about one of the most important plays in the German language, but they are also becoming very proficient in the language itself as a result of their participation in this project. Even as I write this, before any formal dress rehearsals have begun, I already feel that this project has been a major success for those learning German.