Spring Theatrical Production Studio: Will Eno’s TRAGEDY and the Comedic Surreal

TDM 90BR Subject & Catalog Number

Description

TDM Production Studios consist of a 4-credit course that meets weekly led by TDM Faculty and a full production process led by a professional Director or Choreographer which culminates in the public performance of an original work.

TDM’s Spring Theater Production Studio for 2027 will be taught (class) and directed (production) by TDM Artistic Producer, faculty member, and theater maker James Stanley. Stanley makes work in the space of theater, spectacle, clown and experimental comedy.

The play we will be working on is TRAGEDY: a tragedy by Will Eno – A satire on the relentlessness of the 24/7 news cycle, this piece from 2000 plays out as a live news broadcast covering the quickly evolving tragedy that no one saw coming: Night is falling! Everyone is disappearing! Will the sun ever rise again? We just… don’t… know! How will our correspondents in the studio, in the field, at home, and at the capital guide us through? Even as they contend with their own dark night of the soul… This production allows us to play with and think about media, putting the M in TDM!

If you are interested in exploring the world of theater, spectacle and comedic performance, this may be the TDM Production Studio for you. All levels of experience welcome!

This is a play for 5-6 actors. We are also looking for students interested in dramaturgy and assistant directing, though students in these roles may also be asked to perform in small non-speaking roles as part of the newsroom mise en scene. Parts will be cast and roles will be determined from those enrolled in the course.

[ALSO NOTE: The balance of characters in this play tends toward the “male.” But that means nothing in the world of the clown, where it’s all drag! In other words, we’ll be making some fun choices. So think broadly about how you might see yourself in this play!]

Course Notes

TDM production studios (TDM 90AR/BR/CR/DR) frame and involve participation in Theater, Dance & Media’s professionally directed and designed productions. Additional evening rehearsals throughout the semester and final performances at the end of the semester are required; more details and schedule are on the Canvas course page. Further details about TDM 90BR and enrollment processes will be updated in Fall 2026. Participation is limited to students involved with the production, either as performers or as members of the production team. Students who wish to be part of the production team should contact Artistic Producer James Stanley, jamesstanley@fas.harvard.edu.