Iris is a young girl who lives in a magical land called “Nocturno” where everything seen during the day is created at night. This children’s play chronicles a girl’s journey to find not only her lost memory, but her home. With the help of the button off of her coat, Iris must use this clue to find a way to set herself free from the “Greater Goods” and discover who she truly is. The upcoming play, presented by Bellevue College, takes you on an epic adventure with Iris to find her “past coat.”
The play is written by the renowned playwright, Steven Dietz, 54, who has written over 30 plays, his most popular “God’s Country” which led him to write and direct locally in Seattle from 1991-2006. Dietz was recently placed eighth in the “Top Ten Most Produced Playwrights in America.”
Chelsea Moe, 22, is a rising star here at BC who can not only bring tears to your eyes with her acting talents, but will sing you to sleep with her enchanting vocals. When asked why she auditioned for “Still Life,” Moe said kindly, “To grow as an actor. I have never been in just a straight-play before, usually musicals. It was kind of cut-throat you could say, it’s a challenge.” Moe plays Annabel Lee, a pirate who helps Iris find her inner “past coat.” Dietz inspired this character based of an Edgar Allan Poe classic, “Annabel Lee.”
Another important member in the play is Elise Swanson, 20. Swanson plays two different characters during the performance. Her first appearance is as Iris’ widowed mother. Swanson exclaimed that the “coat” is symbolism for wearing your “heart on your sleeve.” “This play, unlike most here at BC, is very different. The content is less dark than usual and the distinct language separates it from most plays,” stated Swanson. Swanson is hoping to major in theatre arts when she met with the writer of the play, Dietz, “He is fabulous, down to earth, funny, very intelligent man.”
“Still Life with Iris” premieres Nov. 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. at BC’s Carlson Theatre. This fantastical show will continue on the 15-17. Since the play is directed to a younger audience this fantasy is also available to be seen on Nov. 10 and 17 at 2:30 pm.
“It’s a little bit of whimsy, a lot of magic and color that you can possibly have in a play. It is light-hearted but also sad and a bit dark which will really reach out to the audience,” said Moe.