By Bianca Strzelczyk

This is the final installment of an ongoing series chronicling the production of “Lower Depths” by the NU Theatre Department.

“I have never directed a show where I feel so positive going into it,” said “Lower Depths” director Janet Bobcean the night before the show’s opening, capturing the atmosphere of the cast and crew perfectly — cool, calm and collected.

T-minus three days

The stage was a mess. Blankets were sprawled out, crates were sporadically placed, dim lights hung from the ceiling and there was clutter in every corner. To an outsider it may have appeared the stage was unprepared for opening night. However, to cast members and crew it was perfect.

“It’s so disgusting — it’s great” Bobcean said.

Sunday involved a lot of sitting around for the actors while the crew members perfected the technical aspects of the show, such as lighting and sound.

“These days are slow-moving and tedious,” said cast member Sean Hopkins, a junior theatre major, but these are things that have to be done.

At 6:30 p.m., after six hours of running through lines, the actors put on their costumes and special effects makeup for the first time. It was up to Frances McSherry to create burnt and bloody looks in seven and a half minutes as the actors switched scenes. “The front row is three feet from the stage,” McSherry said. “It has to look realistic.”

McSherry, also in charge of costumes, has put together old ripped-up materials for the characters’ attire.

“It really brings the feeling of the show together,” said cast member Brian Petersen, a junior theatre major.

However, there is still work to be done.

“We are working on dirtying everything up and making everything look more realistic,” McSherry said.

As the rehearsals progressed, the lighting and sound effects created some problems — the music was cutting out at different times and the lights, which are incorporated into the set, still needed some work.

However, toward the end of the long night, everything was slowly beginning to fall into place.

Two days to go

The cast members arrived at 5:30 p.m. on Monday to get into full costume. The makeup artist taught them how to apply their makeup for the big night, and, in under an hour, the cast was transformed into their characters. They put pale foundation on their skin, two shades lighter than their natural coloring. Their eyes were darkened, making them appear sunken in, tired and drunk. Their hands were paled and bruised and the cast looked old and sickly. While the actors finalized make-up, Bobcean worked with the sound and lighting. The characters ran through the show once again, slowing down some parts to perfect timing. The fight scenes were worked on repeatedly, perfecting each punch and slap.

“It’s a lot about timing,” Petersen said. “It’s controlled chaos.”

“You have to start out very slow,” said cast member Casey Cipriani, a senior theatre major. “It’s almost like a dance in slow motion. You’re not really hitting or falling or anything. That would cause pain, and if anything hurts you’re not doing it right. Once you do it on a regular basis, it goes by like it’s a real fight.”

Before each rehearsal, Bobcean made sure the actors practiced the fight scene in slow motion to ensure no one got hurt.

“It’s very precise,” Bobcean said.

The night before

It was the night before the opening — one last chance for the cast to perfect their work, but no one seemed too nervous. “I am really excited,” said cast member Erin Zalaski, a junior theatre major. “No one has a specific lead and we are all connected as one big weird family.”

For senior actors, it’s a bittersweet experience.

“It’s hard to let go of something that you have worked so hard on,” said cast member Demetrius Keone Thomas, a senior theatre major. “But the reward is being able to share what you love to do with an audience.”

Fellow senior cast member Cipriani is also trying to enjoy her last show at Northeastern as much as possible.

“I feel like this is the last chance to feel at ease [before auditions after college],” Cipriani said. “I am trying to live it up here for as long as possible.”

In addition to putting on a show, the cast and crew is trying to raise Tsunami Relief money. People who donate $3 or more will receive a poster signed by the cast.

After less than eight weeks of rehearsals, the stage is set, the lighting is up and the actors are ready. With all the preparation and rehearsals behind them, all that is left is to showcase all their hard work. The chairs are lined up waiting for the audience. Lighting and sound is finalized. It’s up to the actors now to show the reality of the lower depths.

“Lower Depths” opens at 8 p.m. tonight and will run from Feb. 16 – 19 and Feb. 22-25. Tickets cost $10 for Tuesday and Thursday performances and $13 for Friday and Saturday. Northeastern students receive a $2 discount. Tickets can be purchased at the Northeastern Box Office in Ell Hall and will be sold at the door. However, it is best to purchase them in advance because only 77 people can fit in the Studio Theatre.