Shirley Basfield Dunlap continues her professional directing career.
Shirley Basfield Dunlap first heard about "The Old Settler"
from her mentor.
The theatre director was reading the play, preparing for an off-Broadway
production and asked Dunlap to read it with him and give her opinions.
"It was so awesome," Dunlap said. "You can laugh and cry
in the same scene."
The play by John Henry Redwood soon became the most widely produced African-American
play of the season. It was awarded the 1997 American Theatre Critic Award.
Dunlap harbored hopes that she would one day direct the play.
A series of good fortunes soon developed enabling Dunlap to work with Studio
Arena Theatre in Buffalo, N.Y. on "The Old Settler." First the
original director had to bow out of his commitment. The Studio Arena Theatre's
artistic director immediately thought of Dunlap, who had directed a play
two years earlier at the theater.
"John Henry Redwood has what is called a director's right of refusal,"
Dunlap said, "which is the right to approve and assign the director
for each production.
"I had met him (Redwood) earlier and with his blessings, I was able
to direct this show."
Dunlap traveled to Buffalo for a month for rehearsals, a week of previews
and opening night. The show ran from Feb. 18 to March 12.
An unusual romance set in a 1943 Harlem apartment, "The Old Settler"
is a tender, bittersweet story spiced with generous portions of laughter.
It was that quality that first attracted Dunlap to the show.
"It's just a beautiful, beautiful story,' she said, "about the
unconditional love between two sisters."
The response to the Buffalo production has been outstanding Dunlap said.
The performance during the weeklong previews received standing ovations.
A reviewer in The Buffalo News gave the Studio Arena Theatre production
31/2 stars out of four and said, "Redwood and the Studio Arena are
very well-served here by Dunlap, who has also beautifully directed other
area and regional productions."
Even though she left Buffalo and the production after opening night, Dunlap
continued to maintain contact with the company throughout the play's run.
"I talked to the actors every week either on the phone or e-mail,"
she said. "I would have loved to go back to Buffalo to see the last
week of the show and see how the cast had grown."
Instead Dunlap has switched her attention back to ISU Theatre. While she
directs at least one professional show a year, she also directs a variety
of student theatre productions. Last fall, Dunlap was the director of "The
Good Times are Killing Me." On April 30, her production of "Big
Mama 'N 'Em," will be performed in the round in the Memorial Union's
Great Hall.
Making the switch from professional actors to student actors can be difficult
for a director and Dunlap is no different. "I try to bring to the students
what I learn in the professional world," she said, "and hopefully
that will better prepare them to succeed after college."
Directing a professional play is not unusual for Dunlap. She has directed
award winner Ossie Davis in a world premiere and Tony Award winner Melba
Moore in two different productions. Her work has been seen at Madison Repertory
Theatre, The Human Race Theater Company, Hippodrome State Theatre and the
Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.
