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Theater major introduces, "The Sensualist"

By Bethany Bunch

Friday, February 2, 2007

As Adam Burnett talked with crew members before a dress rehearsal of his play, “The Sensualist,” on Wednesday night, technicians joked that he had been writing plays since he was 2 years old.

“The Sensualist” will be performed this weekend and next weekend at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St.

I love doing it because I love the work and love working with these people

- Adam Burnett

Burnett, Topeka junior, is both directing and producing “The Sensualist,” a feat that his crew members said was almost unheard of because of the amount of work it took.

“Would I do it again?” Burnett asked in regard to directing and producing. “I don’t want to do it again but I probably will. I love doing it because I love the work and love working with these people.”

Burnett said it is rare that the play is being produced the way it is, which is without any existing company or producer. The entire play is being produced under $2,000. With the exception of a $300 grant and a $200 donation, the money came from Burnett’s savings.

“As a theater major, this is what our lives are,” Burnett said. “It is difficult, but I love doing it so that takes the stress away.”

From actors to technicians, the play depends only upon the passions, talent and energy of KU theater students. Stephen Ferrell, Perry senior, plays one of six roles in the play.

Ferrell described the play as “whole-gratifying” — as opposed to “self-gratifying” — because cast and crew members worked together and depended on each other.

Burnett traveled for two months throughout Europe last summer, regularly attending the theater. He said watching Anton Chekhov’s play, “The Seagull,” in London altered him.

“I was irrevocably changed,” Burnett said. “The intense, visceral answer to the play breathes in me still, reminding me why I live my life in the theater and, most importantly, why the act of creation for the stage continues to thrust me forward with great passion.”

“The Sensualist” is Burnett’s fifth play to be produced. This is the third time he has directed a full-length play.

Burnett will enter the production in a number of festivals for the summer, including the New York City Summer Play Festival, the New York International Fringe Festival and the Minnesota Fringe Festival.

Kansan staff writer Bethany Bunch can be contacted at bbunch@kansan.com.

— Edited by Kelly Lanigan

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