The Department of Performing and Media arts presents:

Soul Mining

Written and Directed by:
John Colie

Cast
A: Lia Sokol
B: Viann Chan
C: Emily Pugh
D: Julia Keeton
 

Black Box Theatre, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts
430 College Avenue
February 18th, 7:30 p.m.

The vision of the Department of Performing and Media Arts is to nurture and mentor artists, performers, writers, and thinkers through the process of event programming. We recognize that all people should see their stories represented, and envision their stories as valuable.

We commit ourselves to creating spaces that actively seek to break down systems of oppression based on race, gender, sexuality, class, ability, and place of origin and empower all to be involved. We seek to stimulate thoughtful discussion and enact social change within our productions and our audiences. It is our goal to make our events accessible to the wider Cornell and Ithaca community, to strengthen bonds and engage inquiry, dialogue, and impact around social and cultural change.

In the 2022-2023 academic year we will help realize a wide range of students’ creative projects, from original plays, to solo performances, to readings, to choreographies, to acting, directorial, and curatorial projects. We are particularly happy that in addition to supporting live performances, we are now also supporting the production of student films. Enjoy the shows!

The question of the ultimate fate of our species and our planet is something that looms large in our collective consciousness--not only what form that will take, but also what may be left behind as a physical reminder of our presence and existence long after we and any other forms of life have permanently vanished. With this premise as a backdrop, I also started thinking about the reverse version of this scenario, whose answer is just as impossible to deduce: what we would retain concerning our own experiences, whether through memories, emotions, or anything similar after the conclusion of our earthly lives. As its description states, Soul Mining is still a work in progress, but it is my hope that these concerns have still come through in what is written--a somewhat fantastical setting for observations on the possible impacts of our lives as we live them and afterwards. It has been wonderful putting this together, and we hope you enjoy it as well. 

- John Colie

Lia Sokol - A
Lia Sokol is a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences studying government and international relations. She became interested in acting through a high school drama class but was not involved with it at Cornell until she took PMA 2800: Introduction to Acting last semester. Outside of the classroom, Lia is a tour guide, writes for the Cornell Sun opinion section, and enjoys playing piano, being outside, and iced coffee. She is thrilled to be part of Soul Mining and hopes you enjoy the show!

Viann Chan - B
Hello! I’m a first-year student from Hong Kong studying Communication. This is my first time being involved with the PMA department but I love all activities related to storytelling and I am looking forward to this new experience!

Emily Pugh - C
Emily is a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences, studying Performing and Media Arts and English. Her recent credits include Son of the Third Blind Queen, Suitor #2, Boy’s Servant /Singer, Mama, and Second King in The Secret in the Wings, Pozzo in Waiting for Godot, Adam in As You Like It, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Lee in True West, Éponine in Les Misérables, Jane in Something Stupid, and Squirrel in Beo’s Bedroom (Edinburgh Fringe Festival production). She is excited to be a part of Soul Mining and for audiences to experience this fantastic play!

Julia Keeton - D
Hi! I’m a freshman at Cornell studying government! As a Vermonter, I love nature, hiking, and xc skiing, which I teach for COE. Other favorite activities include: talking about books/movies, violin, and of course, acting! I participated in a couple of plays in high school, but this is my first production at Cornell. I’m excited to share this story with you all today!

John Colie - Writer and Director
John Colie is a Senior in the College of Arts and Sciences studying English and History. He wrote and co-directed A Chicano's Guide to Navigation in 2022, and before that wrote Night Comes for the North Country and acted in Jodeci for White Girls, both produced as part of the 2020 10-Minute Play Festival. John has enjoyed watching the cast's rendition of this still-developing work and is quite excited to see it brought to the stage for the first (but hopefully not the last) time.

Maria Kasipovic - Stage Directions
Maria is currently a Senior at Cornell and studying Industrial and Labor Relations. She is excited to be a part of this performance and loves acting. She has been involved in theatrical performances including Grease (as Marty Maraschino/ a Pink Lady) and the Wizard of Oz (as the Wicked Witch of the West), and a background actress in a few films and tv shows. Other passions include animals, the environment, business, fashion, and American Sign Language. She wants to thank her family and friends who have shown support and been a blessing.

PRODUCTION STAFF
Director of Productions and Events: Pamela Lillard
Technical Director: Fritz Bernstein
Assistant Technical Director: Savannah Relos
Props Coordinator: Tim Ostrander
Costume Shop Supervisor: Lisa Boquist
Master Electrician: Steven Blasberg
Sound Engineer: Warren Dennis Cross
Computer Support: Chris Christensen
Communications Manager: Gary Gabisan
Performance & Events Coordinator: Youngsun Palmer