The Bentley School Presents Student-Directed Drama Production Fuddy Meers

LAFAYETTE, CA – The Bentley School presents the student-directed drama production Fuddy Meers. An American play written by David Lindsay-Abaire, Fuddy Meers is story about a 40-year old amnesiac named Claire, who wakes up every morning with a blank memory. With a fun house plot and bizarre characters, every twist and turn brings Claire closer to discovering her past and regaining her memory.

The production is directed by Bentley School senior, Hayley Wilcox, for her senior class project. These projects are an opportunity for dedicated Performing Arts students to develop as leaders, to take artistic ownership of a project, and to assume responsibility for a challenging and delightful process.

“As a Freshman, I would look up to the senior directors, and I really thought they were demi-gods – that’s when I starting becoming serious about theater. They contributed so much to the community,” says director, Hayley Wilcox.

Last spring, Wilcox chose the play, submitted an application to the Bentley Drama Department, and won the opportunity to direct it. She held auditions, selected the cast, and directed each rehearsal. She also collaborated with technical crew in realizing her artistic vision of the play, including set, costume design and props.

“I chose Fuddy Meers because the characters are really kookie, different and very loveable. I was drawn to this play because the audience sees each character dealing with pain in their own way. It’s a dark comedy and I think it will bring a modern contemporary edge to Bentley’s Performing Arts program.”

“I’ve learned a lot about leadership because I’m leading people who are the same age as I am. I’m learning that as a leader, it’s important to be nice and have the ability to both goof off with my peers and crack down on them.”

“Fuddy Meers offers me a way to leave a little stamp on the community. The school has always hung up old posters from plays and it’s really great that The Fuddy Meers poster will be up too.”

The performance runs from Friday, Oct. 12 - Sunday Oct. 14. The shows begin at 7:00 p.m. at Bentley’s Student Performing Arts Center (SPAC) at 1000 Upper Happy Valley Road, Lafayette. Tickets are $5 and sold at the door.

The Fuddy Meers cast includes student actors: juniors, Hannah Durant, Perrin Ferioli, Zach Forster, Ian Kirby, Mady Tompkins, and John Valentine; and sophomore, Sandy Serwin. Crew members include seniors, Olivia Barnum, Sam Perry, and Sudeep Raj; juniors, Connor Ford, Brian Huitt, Kyra Leonard, and Hannah Rogers; sophomore, Hannah Tobin-Bloch, and freshman, Tess Rubenzahl.