“On the Verge” is slated to be the first production to take the Vonnie Borden stage Feb. 25-28 at 7:30 p.m. The play is unlike any production seen on campus according to the director, James Winter, who has been waiting for a chance to stage this particular play for some time now.
“I’ve always wanted to direct this play,” said Winter. “I’ve seen it done several times over the years. It is also the most technically ambitious and innovative show we’ve done on the Vonnie Borden stage, so we think the audience is in for a real treat.”
The play concerns three 19th century women who travel across time and space on the mysterious Terra Incognita, marveling at the strange world of the future. Along the way they encounter strange characters, from an abominable snowman to a 1950s greaser.
The small cast includes Kacie Barnes, Kayla Hill and Jaimee Rome as the explorers, and Tyler Meyer as The Man, a role which consists of several eccentric characters the women meet. Due to the characters being of another time, the actors went through extensive preparation to portray Victorian women.
“I did much more preparation for Mary than I have any other role I have previously had,” said Barnes. “I always start with the core of who my character is and then start to build a personality based around those core values. With this show, I had to explore what life was like as a Victorian woman, keeping in mind that Mary is not the stereotypical woman of that time. I actually kept a character journal, which helped me delve into who she is and what her life was like before she embarked on this trek.”
They also drew inspiration from real life female explorers.
“Prior to ‘On the Verge’, I did not know 19th century female explorers existed,” said Hill, who will portray Fanny. “I felt obligated to represent the integrity and passion of those lady explorers. They diminished the idea of women as the weaker sex by successfully trekking unknown land. These women had a passion for traveling the world, and they would bushwhack through jungles in corsets and long skirts because they refused to let anything hold them back.”
The cast and crew are certain audiences will enjoy “On the Verge.”
“I am confident that the audience will eat this extravagant show up,” said Rome, who will be playing Alex. “Between the amazing technical aspects, the use of the entire theatre and the characters that you can’t help but be drawn to, the audience will leave in astonishment and awe, wanting to come back and see it again.”
Barnes admits the play is hilarious, but that there is also a deeper meaning present.
“There is a deeper, more beautiful meaning there. My personal goal is that people leave feeling happy and hopeful about the future.  I hope we leave them thinking about this play hours or days later, so they have to come back to experience the magic again.”
Rome also hopes the audience will leave the theater feeling inspired.
“I think the audience will not know what hit them. I think the audience will be surprised, intrigued and hopefully, they will experience a longing for the future.”
Hill briefly summed up the play’s appeal for all participants.  
“There’s a lot to enjoy about this play,” said Hill. “It is funny on a lot of different levels, thought provoking and fast-paced. It is a fun show for all involved: the cast, the crew and the audience.”
To purchase tickets, go to the box office on the first floor of D Vickers Hall. Students can get in free with their student ID. The cost is $10 for general admission and $15 for Southeastern faculty and staff.