Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit

SU Drama’s New Play Development Program presents ‘The Meaning of Life and Other Useless Pieces of Information’ Nov. 9-11 and 16-18

Tuesday, November 6, 2007, By News Staff
Share

SU Drama’s New Play Development Program presents ‘The Meaning of Life and Other Useless Pieces of Information’ Nov. 9-11 and 16-18November 06, 2007Erica Blustesblust@syr.edu

The Syracuse University Department of Drama’s New Play Development Program will present a workshop production of “The Meaning of Life and Other Useless Pieces of Information” by drama alumnus Matte O’Brien ’04 Nov. 9-11 and 16-18 in the Black Box Theatre at the SU Drama/Syracuse Stage theater complex, 820 E. Genesee St. Friday performances will be held at 8 p.m., Saturday performances at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday performances at 2 p.m. The production is free and open to the public; patrons should call 443-2102 or e-mail meaningoflifesu@hotmail.com for seating availability. Afternoon performances will be followed by talk-back sessions with the cast and director Alan Souza ’89, also a drama alumnus.

“The Meaning of Life and Other Useless Pieces of Information” is the story of six young people who go from day to day trying to figure out their adult lives. In the play, O’Brien asks the profound question, “If life does have meaning beyond the immediate and discernible — does it even matter, or is the meaning of life actually just a useless piece of information?”

“I think ‘Meaning of Life’ is about what happens when you hit the real world,” says O’Brien, an accomplished actor and singer who lives in New York City. “It is one of the most stressful times in your life. All these things just come crashing down on you. You have no insurance, no job. I mean, these are things that are right out of my life.”

Souza and O’Brien have collaborated on workshopping the play, a crucial yet seldom-seen-by-the-public part of the playwriting process. In order to truly understand how a moment or character or scene will work, playwrights often need to see the play on stage. Souza and a group of student actors will actually stage “The Meaning of Life,” and O’Brien will attend rehearsals and performances, reworking and rewriting parts based on what he sees and hears.

“Matte is finding his voice while the students find theirs,” says Souza. “They’re premiering and realizing a new work. They’re creating these people. They haven’t been spoken yet.”

The performances will have only a minimal set, with no lighting or costumes. Actors will use only rough props. Audiences will have the rare and fascinating opportunity to watch not just a cast of characters grow and change, but a new work of drama as well.

  • Author

News Staff

  • Recent
  • ‘ADA Live!’ Focuses on Protection and Advocacy Systems for People with Disabilities
    Sunday, February 28, 2021, By News Staff
  • Hilda A. Frimpong Becomes the First Black Student to Lead Syracuse Law Review
    Saturday, February 27, 2021, By Robert Conrad
  • Important Update for Flexible Spending Accounts
    Friday, February 26, 2021, By News Staff
  • Message From Dean of Students Marianne Thomson
    Friday, February 26, 2021, By News Staff
  • CAS in Intercollegiate Athletic Advising and Support Addresses Unique Needs of College Student-Athletes
    Thursday, February 25, 2021, By Jennifer Russo

More In Uncategorized

“The Privileges and Pitfalls of ‘WandaVision’ and Marvel’s Disney+ Empire.”

Kendall Phillips, professor of communication and rhetorical studies in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, was interviewed by Observer for the story “The Privileges and Pitfalls of ‘WandaVision’ and Marvel’s Disney+ Empire.” Phillips, who teaches a class on the…

“Pain and Isolation Are Driving America’s Lockdown Overdose Surge.”

Shannon Monnat, associate professor of sociology and Lerner Chair for Public Health Promotion in the Maxwell School, was interviewed by VICE for the article “Pain and Isolation Are Driving America’s Lockdown Overdose Surge.” Monnat, who has worked on a variety…

“Life after COVID: Will people still wear masks after the pandemic?”

Shana Kushner Gadarian, associate professor of political science in the Maxwell School, was interviewed by CBS affiliate 10 Tampa Bay for the story “Life after COVID: Will people still wear masks after the pandemic?” Gadarian, who has researched political public…

“Advocates worry as most disabled people left off vaccine priority list.”

Scott Landes, associate professor of sociology in the Maxwell School, was interviewed by CTV News (Canada) for the story “Advocates worry as most disabled people left off vaccine priority list.” Landes, who has researched the impact of COVID 19 on…

“Stimulus bill would boost incomes of poorest Americans by nearly $4,000”

Katherine Michelmore, assistant professor of public administration and international affairs in the Maxwell School, had research cited by CBS for the story “Stimulus bill would boost incomes of poorest Americans by nearly $4,000.” Michelmore,  who is a senior research associate…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2021 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.