Corbitt wishes to leave audiences ‘inspired and hopeful’

As director Kristina Corbitt walked into the room where she was supposed to be meeting her cast and crew for a rehearsal, she was shocked to find the room dark.“There was only one other person, sitting on a chair in the middle of the room,” Corbitt said. “When I went to ask where everyone was, they all came out of their hiding spots and scared me! I am easily startled, so that was a fun prank for them.”

For the past four weeks, PLU junior Corbitt, along with the cast and crew of “The Skin of Our Teeth,” have been busy rehearsing for four hours almost every day. During her first year at PLU, Corbitt was involved in every single production of the first semester. More recently, however, she has taken a directing course and served as a stage manager.

“I was involved in the theater program in high school,” Corbitt said, “And I really admired the choices in the productions of the university. I think that’s what drew me to PLU.”

“This play is really a story of a test of the human spirit,” Corbitt said. “It follows a family’s struggles to overcome major disasters in human and biblical history, and some of the situations presented in the play can be compared to our current economic situation.”

Throughout the production process, Corbitt said that she has been, “Pleasantly surprised by people’s energy.” Things have been moving along smoothly.

The cast members get along well, people have shown a genuine interest in understanding the deeper meaning of the play and the crew has been working ahead of their timeline.

“It’s an exhilarating feeling,” Corbitt said.

To be fair, there have been plenty of challenges to directing the production.

“I find myself afraid to make the wrong decision sometimes, and that can lead to doubt and indecisiveness,” Corbitt said. “I recently saw some bad theater at another college that was directed by a professor, and it made me realize that every decision I make will affect the final outcome in some way.”

Corbitt also described the experience as a balancing act, saying that “my theatrical side wants to only focus on the production and not worry about my other classes, but its all part of the process.”

As for her future, Corbitt knows that she wants to be involved with theater, but is not sure which aspect.

“I am interested in directing, but I really feel that I need more experience to perform adequately,” she said. “I am also looking at directing an improv or comedy group.”

“The Skin of Our Teeth,” will be presented from 8 to 11 p.m. on Dec. 10-13 and from 2 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 14. The Dec. 10 Student Preview is $2, and tickets for other show times are $5 for students, faculty and alumni and $8 for community members. For tickets, contact Campus Concierge at 253-525-741.