Georgetown College. Georgetown University.

Clark Young is involved with many theatrical productions, both on and off campus. (Photo: Roland Dimaya)

Clark Young, a native of Portland, ME, a college senior and a double major in Theater and Performance Studies and English, with a minor in Psychology, answers some questions about his part of the recent production of “The Race.”

"The Race" was very much a production of participation between the cast and audience. How did your work on the production inform the final product?
Our process grounded itself in task-based theatrical work. As an ensemble, we were given tasks to complete, which emphasized generating theatrical spaces for engagement and participation. A task could have been as simple as engaging someone about politics on a bus or coffee shop during class time. In that respect, audience participation became a part of the task-based, communal work of our process.

Did the class work closely with Professor Rohd to create the dialogue of the play?
Our ensemble worked to influence how Professor Rohd composed or scored "The Race." This piece wasn't always about dialogue but the ways in which words, images, sounds and technology mesh and shape the world of politics and theater. It had to be a collaborative atmosphere or the piece would not have functioned.

What was your favorite part about working on "The Race"?
I enjoyed the rarity of working alongside an event, the Presidential race itself, that was/is exploding onto the history page as I write. What more could an artist ask for than the beautiful momentum and highest of high stakes a live historical event can bring to audience and ensemble?

How did you work with Professor Scrofano on the technological aspects of the production?
Professor Scrofano gave this production a concrete world to live in, as well as layer upon layer of complexity concerning that world's relationship to technology. Our process was one of collaboration, of not only understanding the technology she was able to access and explore but also suggesting ways actor and technology could exist together onstage (ultimately in some fun and provocative ways).

Were there any challenges working so closely with computer equipment on stage?
Technology is temperamental. But that is what makes it so much fun... and stressful. The main challenge is the required spontaneity and flexibility of the performer. There can't be dead time hanging around the theater when something goes wrong, or the audience will get lost. The performer needs to think on his/her feet quickly and solve the problem.

Are you working on any upcoming productions?
I will be appearing in Nomadic Theatre's “The Pillowman” January 15th-24th, 2009 and the Department of Performing Art's “Lysistrata” in April 2009.

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