by Maria V. Kramer
Daily Lobo
People have their boundaries.
Through March 4, UNM's Theatre X will explore the concept of boundaries and what happens when people cross them, as it presents three plays in the series "Pressing Boundaries."
The first play, "The Dreamer Examines His Pillow," directed by Theodore Hamblin, deals with the difficulty of maintaining relationships, as a woman consults her dysfunctional father about a failed romance. As she asks herself if she can, or should, revive her own romantic relationship, she encounters boundaries within herself.
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"We have characters that are constantly dealing with who they are and who they want to be," Hamblin said.
This conflict between the ideal and the real is what makes the play fit into the theme.
"The Shape of Things," directed by JoRae Taylor, also examines the concept of boundaries within a romantic relationship, adding an exploration of boundaries in art.
"My play deals with the question of what is art, and when do you cross the line between making a statement and just plain making a scene," Taylor said. "It deals with an art student and a young man in love and losing your identity in love."
Taylor was unwilling to disclose too much of the plot for fear of spoiling its surprise ending, but she said the play explores the connection between loss of identity in art and loss of identity in love, and how much a person is willing to do for love.
"It's a love story and an anti-love story all at once," she said.
"The War Boys," directed by Kathryn Olguin, deals with a more concrete boundary, the border between the U.S. and Mexico. The characters - three young Minutemen - interact with this real, political boundary and discover their own psychological boundaries.
Olguin said she wants to press the audience's boundaries by dealing with the controversial nature of immigration.
"It's not a nice play about this issue," she said. "It brings out the ugly side of humanity. I think that's important to address."
The play made Olguin deal with some of her own boundaries as she researched the disputed borders of the world.
"Societies create boundaries or walls or fences to separate themselves from what they consider different," she said. "That's something I never really thought of - how many boundaries there were and how hard it is to deal with difference."
Hamblin said the process of directing a play made him confront his comfort boundaries.
"I have no experience as a director, and this is the first time I've been able to confront that," he said. "It's been a challenge, but enjoyable."
The three directors all wanted their plays to challenge the audience members and make them think about the limits and frontiers of their lives. What Taylor said of her own play could easily apply to all three.
"It's food for thought," she said. "It raises a question, but it doesn't necessarily provide
the answer."
"Pressing
Boundaries"
Theatre X
UNM Center for the Arts
Through March 4
Wednesday-Saturday
7:30 p.m.
Sunday
6 p.m.
$10 general
$8 faculty and seniors
$7 staff and students
