Campus production of ‘Rent’ focuses on AIDS awareness

The GCSU production of “Rent” is a special production not only for the GCSU Theatre Department, but also those in the area affected by AIDS.

The plot of the musical focuses on the lives of New Yorkers, many of whom have AIDS. The production comes approximately two weeks removed from AIDS Awareness Week.

It was director Amy Pinney’s idea to include the names of people from the surrounding area who currently have AIDS, or have died of it, in the program.

“Rent is a love letter to the theater community and also the AIDS community.” Pinney said. “The musical is about community so I felt it was important to reach out to this community.”

Many members of the cast have had relatives or family friends who have died from AIDS. For that reason they are eager to put on the program.

Sophomore theater major Matthew Riley’s mother’s best friend in high school died from AIDS and she did not find out until years later at a high school reunion.

“I am happy to honor him for her,” Riley said.

A member of the cast had her uncle pass away due to AIDS. Caleigh Allen, another theater major, said that her mother is coming to see the show, which will be special since it was her little brother that died.

Another group on campus, A.N.G.E.L.S., AIDS Now Grasps Every Living Soul, will have a table set up at the performances to collect donations for the Diversity House, which takes in homeless people affected by HIV.

Pinney said she chose the musical because it was what the students wanted and she felt the community would want it too.

” ‘Rent’ changed the way American musicals were made and we’re making this production our own. It will be our ‘Rent,’ ” Pinney said.

Pinney wants to embrace Russell Auditorium by not covering up the stage with a set, but creating one out of what they already have. Pinney said she wanted the whole school to be excited about the production and she thinks getting the community involved in this way will do that.

Posted by Danielle Paluga on Feb 19 2010. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry