A devoted director

After spending months preparing, Nic Marrone presents his senior capstone of ‘Dog Sees God.’

It didn’t make sense to live in the fine arts section of Foundation Hall and not be a theater major. The entirety of his childhood, from playing the lead owl in his kindergarten play, to starring in roles at Harrison High School, was focused on performing.

Nic Marrone decided after his first few days in his freshman dorm that majoring in psychology was a rushed decision. College forces independence and growth, and growing without his zeal made no sense. On the first official day of freshman year Marrone went to his advisor and made the necessary change.

To say Marrone reassured his decision is an understatement. Now a senior theater major, he has done everything from being in the spotlight to creating the scene backstage. Working his dreaded lighting jobs, to captivating with his characters he has fully indulged himself into theater at GCSU.

Kendyl Wade | gcsunade.com

Marrone’s senior capstone is directing “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead.”

Diversity has provided characters such as the more serious Keeter Mcree in, “The Smiles,” a drag queen named Angel in “RENT,” and the hilarious transgender psychiatrist Leslie, in “Sylvia.”

His final year at GCSU has been perhaps the busiest for Marrone. After only directing two classroom scenes in the past, for his senior capstone, Marrone is directing the upcoming production, “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead,” decided on during last summer’s trip to Washington D.C. to the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.

Inspiration comes from all angles, from witnessing ideas at theater competitions, to personal thinking. Zoning out is a term frowned upon in the scholastic world. But when Marrone’s eyes close, entering his world of unlimited potential, he defies the notion of zoning out with a world of reflection.

“I often over-think,” he said. “Sometimes you have to go with your gut, you can’t help what you feel.”

He values instinct, but also recognizes that focus and practice generate the end result. During those long practices, where scenes go astray, he turns to music for added affect.

“It can give a scene the sad emphasis it needs, or power for another,” Marrone said.

When an angle is finally chosen and actions are made, his peers and followers adore.

Vanilla is his favorite flavor, but he’s not a simple man. Such an enthusiastic director, managing the reserved is a bore for Marrone. Bringing out unfamiliar elements of his actors is important to him.

“Serious conversations with funny people are pretty cool,” said Marrone. “But funny conversations with serious people are even better.” He cares enough to dig in uncomfortable territory and his peers respect that.

“Since (Marrone) is a student, we can tell how much he cares,” said junior theater and history major Jordan Hale, “It’s like he gets more attached to his job, because he has been an actor in the past.” Hale portrays the character of CB in “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead.”

In acting, Marrone knows that he can ruin his part and let himself down, but the progression of the show will continue through other lines. In directing, an error can let everyone down. Marrone feeds off the pressure and benefits through striving to be the best.

Senior theater major Erin Williams is directing a play of her own next semester and is learning from Marrone’s ways.

“I hear all of the good and the bad things. It helps me prepare for what is upcoming when I direct, and it also gives me goals to try to reach.”

Having a positive influence is crucial with such a small cast of eight, three of whom are freshman. His experience in theater is self-perpetuated. A singing grandfather sums up the other recognized artistic abilities in Marrones family. Screaming with joy and optimism, he has created enough imaginative ways for generations upon generations.

Soon after his May graduation, he will leave Milledgeville and enter the professional world. With an Atlanta based internship with, Actors Express and a potential one in the Czech Republic, has prepared Marrone for the difficulties that come with change. The ideal job would send him back to a college to be a theater professor. With so many options, he is taking them with a collective mindset, being conscious to not stress. He has succeeded during the frantic times of directing this upcoming play.

Loved and praised by his actors and friends, Marrone’s presence alone can rid anyone of stress, provide an honest smile and make you feel like he’s been a best friend since time began.

Posted by Taylor Lamb on Oct 1 2010. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.