To graduate with distinction can be a nerve-wracking, audacious and glorious goal, allowing for recognition of brilliance and hard work. Senior Rob Baird decided over a year ago to walk the long, winding road to distinction by drawing on his immense experience in theater. For his senior distinction project Baird is directing the dreamer examines his pillow.
Although now a director, Baird started off his theater career as an actor in high school and, following a brief respite freshman year, he returned to acting through Hoof 'n' Horn, Duke University's student-run musical theater production group. Since his sophomore year, he has clocked in an impressive 10 shows in all with the group, including both acting and directing roles.
"Last year I directed for the first time, and that was A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," Baird said. "[dreamer] is my third show."
Written in 1987 by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright John Patrick Shanley, dreamer is a relatively short play and features only three characters, Tommy, Donna and Dad.
Tommy and Donna are ex-lovers who had a passionate but volatile relationship. They are no longer together but the attraction that lingers between them is undeniable, a factor that causes tension and conflict. In dealing with this, Donna turns to her father for advice. Despite having cheated on her mother and the current fragility of his relationship with Donna, Dad nevertheless still tries to fulfill his fatherly duties. Although the advice he gives isn't always pleasant, he has Donna's best intentions in mind, and Donna soon learns that love isn't always a pretty thing.
"What appealed to me about the play is that it takes this idea of love and strips away all the Hollywood notions and says, 'This is what it really is,'" Baird said.
Indeed, instead of idealism, this play delivers a cynical realism that many college students will relate to.
"It tackles friendships and family and how relationships can work and how they can fall apart," said Matt Colabrese, a junior who plays Tommy.
Shanley handles these timeless subjects deftly, approaching then with both humor and drama. dreamer is typical of Shanley in that it exhibits a directness that is also prominent in his other works.
"He's kind of in-your-face, he doesn't hold back," Baird said. "He's almost didactic."
Directing a play isn't a walk in the park, and like every student who decides to take on a senior distinction project, Baird needed a faculty advisor. Having already studied theater under Jody McAuliffe, Professor of the Practice in the Theater Studies Department, Baird decided to turn to her for mentorship. McAuliffe's main role in guiding Baird was to help him familiarize himself with playwrights and to eventually select a playwright and a piece that both challenged him and could showcase the talent that she saw in him early on.
"Rob and I started talking about [this project] last year," McAuliffe said. "I pointed him to Shanley. I thought, knowing Shanley and knowing Rob, that Rob would like his work."
The combination is fitting. The complex and charged nature of Shanley's works require a director who is willing and able to let his actors grow and explore their roles to the fullest, something that Baird finds natural.
"I never liked directors who weren't willing to let the actors play around," Baird said. "There are three characters in my play, so it's stupid not to take in [the actors'] input, their thoughts and ideas."
Baird's approach is especially necessary for dreamer, as its three-character cast is smaller than that of most plays.
Having already accomplished much at Duke with Hoof'n'Horn and this distinction project, Baird, a theater studies and computer science double major, hopes to pursue his theater interest after graduation.
"I'm applying to different theater companies around the country and hopefully I'll get hired by somebody," Baird said. "Directing is what I want to do with my life."
the dreamer will be playing in Sheafer Theater in the Bryan Center Feb. 7 to 9 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. Admission is free for all.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.