Art
“SYM”ply Intriguing – NIC’s fall theatre invites curiosity
College, where people go to gain knowledge, learn information, and practice skills; an investment in the self. From the 17-year-old, dual-enrolled, high school student, to the non-traditional student who is also a wife and mother of three, the college experience is a diverse experience. What does unite students is a willingness to stretch the understandings of the world, whether that be in math, creative writing, Geology, or joining the soccer team.
This Fall, the NIC Theatre Department is proud to present another opportunity to linger outside of creative comfort levels with “SYM,” an abstract dance symphony where ideas are expressed as melodic developments. “SYM,” short for symphony, was written and composed by NIC music instructor Gerard Mathes, and in collaboration with NIC theatre instructor, Joe Jacoby.
“This is an Avant-Garde idea, one that strays from the beaten path of theatre,” said Jacoby. “Gerard is an amazing thinker, he helps me grow. I always learn something after spending time with him.”
“SYM” is a result of the cumulation of Mathes’ collegial experience, and is what he believes is a “quest of the interdisciplinary studies.”
“This is a piece that amiably presents questions and allows the audience to come to their own conclusion,” said Mathes.
Music instructor, Gerard Mathes, in his element.
As a full-time instructor for 31 years, Mathes described how having no free time seemed to be the best time to create. “I do work and I go home to care for my adult son who has Autism. This is the world I live in.” Mathes penned “SYM” with the hopes of achieving both an emotional and visceral effect.
Explaining “SYM” was not easy. How does one properly define the abstract? Mathes carefully illustrated the four inspired parts as follows:
- Part one: Creation, having both religious and scientific concepts.
- Part two: Chess, acknowledging the magnanimous enormity of simple movements.
- Part three: Dances with Cats, based on Nobel Prize winning Austrian Physicist, Erwin Schrodinger, whose founding of quantum physics explored the concepts of matrix mechanics.
- Part four: Existence, the “I Am”, based on Descartes’ theory of the distinction between existence and essence.
Auditions for the production were held last week and, in line with the complexity of the production, proved to be just as challenging. “It was the most unconventional audition I’ve ever had,” said NIC student Sebastian Goetz, upon having made it on the cast list.
Cast member Anthony Kirby, freshman.
Fellow cast member and NIC student Anthony Kirby expressed excitement for diving into rehearsals, identifying “SYM” as “a cool method of storytelling.”
Choreographer, and NIC Alumnus, Crystal Bain, who teaches fifth grade and dance at Sorenson Magnet School, joins Jacoby and Mathes on the production team.
“SYM” is FREE and open to the public, with shows running Oct. 18th to 20th, and 25th to 27th at Schuler Auditorium.
This is college. This is where space is given to wander and explore the arts in and around campus. This is when permission is granted to indulge the senses with new and different experiences. For some, that’s running for an ASNIC council seat or embarking on a backpacking trip with Outdoor Pursuits, or maybe it’s showing up with an eager curiosity at Schuler Auditorium for the Fall theatre production of “SYM”.
