"Summer Circle (Theatre) is really great for our students and also for our faculty members because it offers opportunities to direct more productions and also to be in more productions," said Wes Haskell, assistant professor, Department of Theatre.
Haskell, who graduated in May with a master of fine arts degree, got his first chance to direct for the Summer Circle Theatre this year.
"I directed a play called 'Around the World Tales,'" Haskell said. "It is a series of three short plays that go through Nicaragua, Spain and Japan and we get to hear folk tales from those cultures."
Haskell said "Around the World Tales" was chosen for the lineup because it fit into this year's theme of touring and traveling around the world.
Haskell said one of the best parts about the Summer Circle Theatre is that it gives students opportunities to act during the summer.
"It offers a more professional (experience) in way of the talent, designers and actors get paid," he said. "It's not a lot, but it is enough to supplement. To be able to be doing art and getting paid, it's kind of giving our students a taste of what it is like to be in the real world."
In addition to directing this year, Haskell also got the chance to be an actor in the production of "Around the World in 80 Days."
"It's kind of a blessing to be able to do both things at once during the summer," Haskell said.
He said they would often be tearing down one set while preparing for another show an hour later.
"It's fun," Haskell said. "That is just kind of the nature of summer theater; it's just quick like that. It offers a lot of opportunities for faculty and students to really be able to do a little bit of everything."
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