Student helps direct comedic play inspired by love letter from 1911

Senior Eric Boldger has acted in many plays before, including a lead role in “The Traveling Children’s Show.” Now an assistant director, he is giving directing a chance for the first time with “A Scrap of Paper.”

“Directing is a unique challenge,” Boldger said. “My favorite part is learning the other side of the stage.”

“A Scrap of Paper” will take audiences on a comedic journey as a love note becomes torn, twisted, thrown away and even burnt.

“The play will have people walking in the theater laughing, laughing nonstop throughout the entire play, and leaving the theater laughing,” junior Tawnie Thompson said.

Thompson, acting the role of Mademoiselle Zenobie, has been acting for about 15 years.

The delightful comedy, written by French dramatist Victorien Sardou, is set in 1911 and focuses on a love letter a woman (Lousie) wrote for a former lover (Prosper).

Three years later, the scrap of paper is found and the woman, who is now married, has to hide the note to keep her husband from finding out about it.

“I love the role I’m acting. My character allows me to change the way I move and talk. I also enjoy my role’s interaction with the other performers,” Thompson said. “It’s a very delightful comedy with very amusing characters.”

The cast and crew have put in many long hard hours working on perfecting the play over the last month and are ready to delight audiences.

“We’re excited and very well prepared, it’s a really fun show that were all having a lot of fun with,” Thompson said.

The play is directed by Milwaukee professional actress Angela Iannone.

“Angela is very good at what she does,” Thompson said. “She’s a very motivating person, she knows exactly what she wants from her performers and she is going to get it no matter how hard she has to push you along the way.”

The play will entertain audiences all week at 7:30 p.m. in the Barnett Theatre in the Center of the Arts.

“Theater is still very important in the world today. People can go out and

see a movie for $8 but live theater is still around today because people enjoy that interactive experience,” Boldger said. “‘A Scrap of Paper’ is a perfect play that emphasizes that interactive enjoyment an audience can capture.”