Opening on Thursday, Nov. 6, “Anon(ymous)” will be presented by Governors State University as an elevated staged reading. “Anon(ymous)”, written by Naomi Iizuka and published in 2007, is a modern retelling of Homer’s Odyssey, discussing relevant themes of family, home, and belonging.
Originally meant to be a full production, the student production was changed to a staged reading with elements of props, costumes, and technical aspects that remain true to the writer’s original script. Mikaela Burnett, the narrator for the reading, also will be setting the scene and creating a visual for the audience. All characters will be present on stage, reading the script along with acting.
Gabrielle Wilson, the show’s director, describes the production as being about finding home, “This child was separated from their mother through a bad storm that took place as they were escaping their home country,” she said. “So, we basically follow Anon through their memory of recalling what happened, of what it means to find home in a foreign land, and of what it means to be finding home through other people that you meet throughout your journey.”
Wilson’s job as a director is to hold auditions and cast the show. After auditions, the cast is created based on what characters would be best for the actors. A rehearsal calendar is then created to determine rehearsals and practices.
“I create movement on the actors and try different emotional proposals, physical proposals, and try to find the most interesting choices that our actors can make to tell the stories that Iizuka wrote,” she said. She guides actors on how to present their actions and movements, helping the actors with their monologues to drive the pace.
Jai Sales, the actress for Anon, says the production “talks about something that’s important, but it also brings a bit of a comedic effect, a little bit of relatability.”
Costume design for the production involves a base costume design with additional items that help bring the characters to life. Mikey Moore, the costume designer, says that the show is timely, “considering all the things that are happening right now. In the stripped-down elevated stage reading, the thought-provoking elements of how we should treat people and how immigrants are treated by others and how that impacts them are more present because the production is much more word focused.”
Tickets for the show are $10 for students and $15 for non-students. Showings are Thursday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 9 at 3 p.m.