��������

Students’ sweat drips onto the floor of Western’s Performing Arts Center main stage. The summer heat has engulfed the rehearsal space as students complete their warm-up exercise before slipping on their masks and stepping into the role of their characters. Screaming, yelling and gibberish can be heard from the students as their voices reverberate through the hall as each of their characters come alive. Theater professor Rich Brown checks in with the students, coaching each one making sure each is bringing their highest energy to their respective characters.
“Be the mask!” he said. “Be the mask!”