Director's Note
Is The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People an “apolitical” play, an “amusing romp” that echoes the flippant, self-obsessed, and nihilistic attitudes of its characters? Many claim that Oscar Wilde’s last play was initially a more biting satire of the ruling class, but that he softened the tone and took out the more homoerotic elements under legal threat. Regardless, soon after Earnest premiered in London in 1895, Wilde was convicted of “gross indecency with certain male persons.” While serving his two-year sentence of hard prison labor, he wrote: “Behind joy and laughter there may be a temperament, coarse, hard and callous. But behind sorrow there is always sorrow. Pain, unlike pleasure, wears no mask […] There are times when sorrow seems to me to be the only truth. Other things may be illusions of the eye or the appetite, made to blind the one and cloy the other, but out of sorrow have the worlds been built, and at the birth of a child or a star there is pain.” (De Profundis, 1897). In retrospect, Wilde’s last play The Importance of Being Earnest itself seems like a farcical mask, a flat, pop-culture façade pulled tight over the sorrows within and caused by late Victorian period Great Britain. The play’s relentless, run-on sentences and nonsensical layers of pretense and self-presentation reflect the “artificiality” or “constructed” nature of colonial-modern culture, showing how hard wealthy people must work to ignore the truths of the world.
The Importance of Being Earnest is not just an escapist fantasy, it is the “gold standard” colonial-modern satire, ridiculing its characters by exposing their vacuity. Satire is a genre which is neither comedy nor tragedy, but a “third type” of play which uses irony as a form of social critique. One key genre definition of satire is that it encourages “ironic” reflection on social power-structures. Surely, Earnest ridicules property-based romance and “marriage for the sake of business,” cleverly revealing how kinship structures and heteronormativity are entangled with capitalism. In approaching this play, I wanted to emphasize its operation as a “mask” by staging it within a “Reality TV” frame. Reality TV claims to capture “real” (or “earnest”) human behavior, but is actually a social imaginary which constructs absurd scenarios and uses melodramatic “romance” to actively and deliberately obscure material realities. My hope is that Wilde’s bitterness (as a gay Irishman) towards British colonial culture is reflected by the Reality TV context: while the upper class characters are fighting over muffins, colonized populaces are starving.
Our production satirizes the way in which the wealthy fabricate their own world and ours. Satire is difficult and often uncomfortable genre of theatre. Earnest may come off as a meme-style reduction that willfully stages a negation of anything meaningful. By setting the play in our own present (as Wilde notes: the setting of this play is “In the Present”), we may aim to provide a lucid image of the ironic cruelties in our own society, honoring Wilde’s most well-known play and finding its relevance to our own social conditions and contexts here at Hunter College. –Esther
Gabriela Alter (they/she/he) (Rev. Canon Chausable) is a queer Polish-American actor, singer, dancer, clown, visual artist, and comedian. They recently made their Lincoln Center Debut as a part of Buglisi Dance Co.’s Table of Silence. Gabriela has performed at The PiT, BCC, and The Tank and was a featured comic in 2023’s New York Queer Comedy Festival. Their series of zines, The Weird Things that Live in Me, is currently available at Quimby’s BK Bookstore. Next up they will be playing Celia Peachum in ThreePenny Opera! She lives in Ridgewood, Queens with her darling cats, Louis and Olive. www.gabrielaalter.com
Lillian Calderon (or Lilly!) (she/they) (Second Assistant Director) is a second year at Hunter studying both theatre and psychology, with a focus on working particularly alongside actors. She values all the mental and physical effort that needs to be put in bringing life to performances, and using their own experiences in devised theatre, works to develop techniques that allows the cast to break their masks and exceed the norm - and of course to work around the stress that comes with acting and have fun in the process!
Grace del Corral (Hon. Gwendolyn Fairfax) is a senior at Hunter College from Queens, New York. She has done musical theatre all throughout high school, and has starred in Hunter College Theatre productions: The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, The Baker Student Committee Musical Showcase, and the upcoming production, Three Penny Opera. Other notable things about Grace is that she is a latin ballroom dancer and is currently studying to become an early childhood teacher.
Tim Cusack (Production Manager) was the co-founder and co-artistic director of Theatre Askew, a Downtown independent theatre company focused on the LGBTQ+ community. Over the 12 years of its existence, he helped to produce shows at such notable venues as Horse Trade’s Red Room and Under St. Marks theatres, The Brick, Hudson Guild, New Ohio, and the Ellen Stewart Theatre at La MaMa. He is an inductee to the Indy Theater Hall of Fame and currently serves as a judge for the New York Independent Theater Honorary Awards. BFA NYU/TSOA. MA Hunter/CUNY.
Edlynn Emile (who often goes by Ed) (Assistant Director) is a theatre major and serves as 1st AD for this production of The Importance of Being Earnest. This being her first farce, she is thrilled for the experience and looks forward to a long career exploring other kinds of projects. She also doubles as a film major and dabbles in set construction, lighting and dramaturgical work. She is also fond of writing and has a soft spot for directing.
Felix Foote (Lane/TV Crew Director/Sound Man) is a Hunter staff member who managed to weasel his way into this student play. Last summer, he was in the Edinburgh University Footlights, playing Franz in their production of Sunday in the Park with George during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He's also been in two separate productions of HMS Pinafore; one in Manchester and another in Edinburgh. He hopes to continue indulging in his love of acting while persevering with his creative writing.
Maeve Harkin (Assistant Stage Manager/Light Board Op) is a general theatre person from the Hudson Valley. Recent theatre projects include the Hunter Director's Showcase (Director/SM), May's Mandala (Oak) and Uncle Stan in Berlin (PA). Insta: @maeve_h_28
Amy He He (Assistant Costume Designer) is a theatre major and a student here at Hunter College. She was born and raised in Puerto Rico for 11 and half years, but she is fully Chinese by both of her parents, and she is proud to be Asian-Latin American. She is interested in studying acting and costume during the semesters. She has some experience in costume design, so she is excited to be in the The Importance of Being Earnest team as an assistant costume designer, also tried her best to understand the theme of the play, and create the costume to be as fun and simple as possible. Follow her Instagram: @amhe6688
Brian Hurley (Sound Design & Original Music) Credits include: Return to Spoon River (Lion Theatre), Heaven's Hard at Houston’s Alley Theatre and Through that Door for Marvel at the FBI Bldg. in Washington DC. Brian has written and produced songs for IBM, McDonald’s, Midas, General Motors, Bell & Howell and Pfizer. He holds a Masters Degree in Theatre from Hunter College where he created sound designs for numerous productions and taught Acting and Musical Theatre Performance for several years.
Elleigh Jordan (TV Crew Makeup Artist/Assistant Stage Manager) is an actor and assistant stage manager in this production. She is a senior studying theatre here at Hunter College. She has worked as an actor, writer, director, stage manager, costumer and director for educational, community, and church plays. Her most memorable roles were Grace in Bus Stop, Jenny/Marge in Mr. Burns: a Post-Electric Play, and here at Hunter, Roberta in Danny and the Deep Blue Sea. Outside of the theatre world she is a fiber artist with a speciality in crochet & knit. You can see some of her work on instagram @azurebrandmade.
Cagla Karslioglu (Assistant Set Designer) is a scenic designer and director working in theatre, film and fashion. Upcoming credits include set & costume designing Dance Nation, production designing a commercial and writing/directing a short film called She Has No Name. As an assistant scenic, costume, lighting and puppet designer, her recent credits include The Democracy Project, Erismena (opera) at the Juilliard School, SS 24 Jason Wu at NYFW, YSL Beauty, H&M. Cagla holds a BFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. www.caglakarslioglu.com ig @caglakarlovic
Isabel Kurtz (Miss Prism) is a Theatre major in her junior year. This is her first college play, and she is thrilled to be part of such a dedicated team! Past experiences include five summers at Marymount Drama where she played Snoopy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, among other roles, as well as acting in school productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Hamlet. An ardent TCM fan, some of Isabel’s favorites actors include Irene Dunne, Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and Humphrey Bogart.
Naomi Liu (Prop Designer) has been involved with theatre since high school, but she is excited to design for their first production at Hunter College. They are currently a theatre major at Hunter. When she is not working behind the scenes, they can be found singing with their acapella group, Hawkappella.
Stephanie Renoj Lopez (Costume Designer) is a theatre and psychology major, looking forward to working as a costume designer/ fashion stylist after graduating from Hunter College and will later on pursue a career as a forensic psychologist. The Importance of Being Earnest is the third school production that she’s had the opportunity to work on during her time here, and learning from Dr. Deeps and her peers has been one of the most wonderful experiences that she could ask for.
Emma Lynn Morgan (Cecily Cardew) is a theatre major in her sophomore year at Hunter College. She is honored to make her debut in a department main stage production. Her other stage credits include the Hunter student director’s showcase of The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, A Sketch of New York at the Producer’s Club, and Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the Troy Community Theatre.
Joseph Morris (Jeff the Camera Man) He is Joe. There is only one Joe. Joe does work behind the scenes and on the stage. He loves the theatre, and hopes the theatre loves him. One day Joe’s name will be known across the world. Remember reading about Joe, as you are here to bear witness to his humble beginning.
Esther Neff (they/she) (Director) is the founder of PPL (Panoply Performance Laboratory), a think-tank, performance-making collective, and organizational entity. Neff has created and directed over a dozen new experimental operas and hundreds of performance projects in theatre, experimental philosophy, new music, and visual arts contexts in NYC, across the USA, and around the world. They hold a BFA from the University of Michigan, apprenticed at the Royal Shakespeare Company, and are a Lincoln Center Theatre Directors Lab alum. Neff is currently writing a dissertation for a PhD in Theatre and Performance at CUNY Graduate Center. estherneff.wordpress.com || panoplylab.org
Deb O (Environment Designer) just finished production/costume designing Man & Witch the movie in Glasgow, Scotland. Selected set and costume designs: Trilobite (Flint Rep, MI & New Victory, NY) Field and Forest (Isabella Rossellini’s Farm, NY) This Is Reading (Reading Train Station, PA) Manmade (600 Highwaymen) Aubergine (Park Square theatre, MN) Ready Set Go: Race, I Migration, Black Conference (Falconworks, NY), Airness (Humana Fest, KY) Selkie and Lessons From Aloes (Z Space, CA) Thieves (El Portal theatre, LA) Sweeney Todd (Perseverance theatre, Alaska) Christmas Carol and Middletown (Trinity Rep, RI) Light: A Dark Comedy (New Victory, NY) Rite Of Spring (Kimmel Center, PA) Three Sisters, Cherry Orchard, The Seagull, Ivanov, Platonov, Uncle Vanya (Lake Lucille, NY) The Nature of Captivity
(Mabou Mines, PS 122) She received her MFA from Yale. See more of her work at http://www.debo.nyc or follow her on instagram @debodesign
Rachael O'Connor (Lady Bracknell) is thrilled to be participating in this production of The Importance of Being Earnest. Training: Hunter College, The William Esper Studio and The School of Russian Art Theatre at Barnard College. Past Hunter theatre mainstage production: Enemy of the People.
Jason G Z Ongjoco (Algernon Moncrieff) is a veteran of theatre production, among other things, and is glad for another opportunity at Hunter College. When he isn't learning new languages, as those who know him intimately will tell you, he is an urban explorer always on the lookout for a great restaurant or bakery to enjoy amongst those of his friends with capital appetites. He indulges in treats quite calmly, as it is the only way to do so. Coincidentally, he is also a renowned teller of tall tales with a flair for the dramatic.
Noah Ortega (they/them) (Production Stage Manager) is a multidisciplinary artist and educator based in Brooklyn, NY. They hold an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College and were a 2018 Target Margin Theatre Fellow. Currently, they work as an adjunct lecturer, not only at Hunter College, but also in Drama at NYU Tisch and in Visual and Critical Studies at The School of Visual Art.
Kira Kristianne Ricarte (Greta, TV Crew Continuity) is a theatre-maker who, throughout her four years at Hunter College, has been set designer, costume designer, actor, director, and as of this semester, producer. She loves listening to bossa nova and fantasy music, alongside writing poetry, singing, and sketching gowns from different time periods. She will attend Brooklyn College for their MFA Theatre program in the fall.
Bijan Salarimatin (He/Him) (Sound Man/Merriman/TV Crew Director/) is extremely proud to be joining Hunter College's 2024 mainstage production of The Importance of Being Earnest. Bijan, who lives in Manhattan, is planned to graduate from Hunter College in Spring of 2024 with a Bachelors in Media Studies. Bijan, who grew up and graduated highschool in Australia, has been an avid theatre goer since 2019, after having moved back to, and starting his college pursuits in New York City, the place where he was originally born. Hunter College's The Importance of Being Earnest will be Bijan's first mainstage performance.
Marcus Smith (John “Jack” Worthing) hailing from Brooklyn, NY, is a Junior at Hunter College. Previously debuting in The Dark at the Top of the Stairs last fall, Marcus eagerly anticipates his upcoming role in another Hunter theatre production: The Three Penny Opera. The Importance of Being Earnest marks his first lead role, showcasing his ability as a theatre Major. With gratitude for the chance to perform, Marcus humbly invites you to enjoy the show!
Reid Sullivan (Lighting Designer) is a Graduate of the University of North Texas. Currently, he works as a freelance Light Designer, Programmer, and Electrician, working with venues such as The Plaza Hotel, Rockefeller Center, Gotham Hall, and The Box. Previous design credits include—Lilies: The Revival of a Romantic Drama (The theatre Center), Technical Direction for The Fresh Fruit Festival (Wild Project) and the Downtown Urban Arts Festival (Playwrights Horizons)
Michi Zaya (Media Designer) (any pronoun) is a Mongolian storyteller of all trades, based in Brooklyn. Michi’s work can be seen on stage as a performer/actor, projections designer, and director. Her primary interests are in experimentally bold and heart-wrenchingly vulnerable presentations of art. Design Collaborations- The New School, NYU Tisch Drama, Dartmouth College, Urban Bush Women, Anamolous Co., bb brecht/Under the Radar (The Public), On The Hook, Bushwick Starr, Global Citizens Initiative. Website: michizaya.com
Thank Yous (In order of receipt)
Felix: Thank you to Debra Sito for letting me know I could audition for this show. Thank you to my family and friends who support my love of acting. Esther: Thank you to Dongshin Chang for believing in us. Thank you also Claudia Orenstein and her team; Joanna Gurin, Juhyun Wu, Deniz Khateri, and the other Introduction to Theatre discussion instructors. Thank you Leili Huzaibah for your ongoing support. Isabel: Special thanks to Esther Neff and Noah Ortega, and to her mom for always nurturing her talent. Joseph: Thank you to my baby sister. Emma: Emma would like to thank her mother for always supporting her, Lindsay Timmington for helping her on her acting journey, Esther and Noah for their help shaping Cecily, and her incredible cast and crew for putting together an amazing show. Grace: Grace wants to especially thank her parents, family, and friends for consistently supporting, and motivating her, to believe in herself, and her talent. She wants to thank Esther, Noah, Tim, her cast mates, and all of the people involved with this production. Thank you for believing in her and giving her the opportunity to be surrounded with so much talent. Kira: Thank you to Esther Neff who gave me the opportunity to act in a Hunter College production before I graduate! Thank you to the wonderful cast who has been so much fun to work with! Thank you to Noah Ortega for providing snacks during rehearsals! And thank you so much to my family and all my professors who got me to where I am now! Meave: Thank you to the family, the friends, the Earnest people and my fellow gay Irishman Oscar Wilde. Amy: Thank you, Dr. Deeps, the costume team, and the people who are working on the costumes. You gave me a lot of fun and hard-working experience in the costume shop, I hope to work with you guys again in the next productions. Thank you to all the people who are involved in the production and the actors and actresses who are working hard to make the play come to life. Marcus: Special thanks to our director, Esther Neff, for their guidance and vision and to our dedicated stage manager, Noah Ortega. To my talented castmates, thank you for your hard work and camaraderie. Gratitude to our production manager, Tim Cusack, for his support. To all who contributed to this production, your efforts are deeply appreciated. I am also thankful to God for blessing me with the opportunity to pursue my passion. To my friends and family, your unwavering support means everything. Thank you all for being a part of this experience. Noah: A massive thank you to the entire cast and crew for their dedication to this work, to Esther Neff for their continual trust and support, and to Dongshin Chang for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the Hunter College community. And finally, a very "gay and debonair" well wishes to the ghost of Oscar Wilde who has seen fit to bless this production with much luck and levity! Lillian: Thanks to Esther for the chance of working with them while witnessing such creativity be brought to life by the amazing cast! Loved our little tradition of chats we had after rehearsals alongside Noah and Ed :) Also so grateful for the people who gave me courage to pursue theatre once again, the biggest hugs to you all!! <3 Ariel: It was a wonderful experience to be working on a show filled with many talented and hardworking people. Thanks to my prop curator partner. Naomi: Thank you to everyone for putting in hard work to make this show possible. Thank you to my fellow props designer, Ariel. I couldn't have done this without you. Tim: Special thanks to: Nayib Ega, Brad Krumholz, Michelle Mantione, and Denise Mazzaferro for guiding us through the insanity, and Oscar Wilde for always being there. Ed: I would like to thank Esther Neff & Noah Ortega for their kindness & patience, making this the coolest (& most hilarious) working experience, the cast for being fantastic & Oscar Wilde for being a silly goose with a pen. Gabriela: Thank you to my bestie and sister, Veronika, my loving parents and their partners, and to my cats, and my dog back home for all of the support! Jacky, thank you for running lines with me! Returning to theatre would not be possible without all of my mentors and teachers, especially Kathryn Irey and Brett Radke. Thank you for the trust, Esther and Noah, it means the world to me. Much love to all of my cast mates and the amazing tech team! Rachael: Thank you to the amazing faculty and staff of the Hunter College Theatre Department. Bijan: Bijan would like to thank his family and friends for supporting and encouraging him throughout his artistic pursuits. He would also like to thank the cast and crew behind Hunter College's The Importance of Being Earnest for making the process such a delightful experience. Thanks Esther Neff, Noah Ortega and Tim Cusack! Jason: Thanks Mom, Dad, David, Rita, Tim, Marcus, Mangos.