Bates Theater’s production of “Everybody” sold out every performance at Gannett Theater last week, with waitlists forming at the door and audience members sometimes learning they had secured seats just minutes before the show began.
The play, written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2017, uses a unique approach where cast members draw lots before each performance to determine who will play key roles such as Friendship, Cousin, Kinship, Stuff, and Everybody. The Bates production expanded this system by including additional roles like Strength, Beauty, Mind, and Senses in the lottery. This method created dozens of possible combinations for each show.
Associate Professor of Theater Courtney Smith designed an immersive scenic and projection environment that surrounded the audience rather than simply presenting to them. “It was immersive and a little disorienting, in exactly the right way,” according to organizers. Director and Associate Professor Tim Dugan led an ensemble prepared for constant change due to nightly role assignments. Adam Joseph (AJ) Matos ’26 and Noah Skinner ’26 participated as part of their senior theses; Skinner also served as lighting designer.
The cast featured Mo Al-Jabry ’28, Graham Austin ’28, Aidan Bergeron ’27, Julian Boutin ’28, Jack Fisher ’29, Connor Gerraughty ’26, Josie Kim ’27, Jenny Liu ’29, Emily Maffezzoli ’29, Samantha Manogue ’26, Ruby Marden ’27, AJ Matos ’26 and Patrick Stronski ’27. Additional contributors included Costume Designer Rebecca Armstrong; Associate Costume Designer Marcel Nagy ’28; Sound Designer Emily Duncan Wilson; Associate Directors Kate Norry ’28; Nicole Rossilli ’27; Elaine Wang ’27; Stage Manager Sarah McOsker ’28; Associate Stage Managers Queenie Tsang ’28 and Colin Kenny ’28; as well as Associate Projections Designer Evan Cox ’26.
Faculty involved in the production were Timothy J. Dugan Jr., Associate Professor of Theater; and Courtney P. Smith.
