South Brunswick Resident Makes Directorial Debut Dealing with Controversial Subject

After not having been involved with the theater since graduating from high school nearly 20 years ago, South Brunswick resident Darren Nye faced an uphill battle getting his foot back in the door. But after finding a play that touched him personally, the 15-year township resident recently made his directorial debut at the Villagers Theatre in Somerset, with a performance of the Bill C. Davis play "Avow."

"I wanted to do a show for many years and I discovered the 'Avow' script after I saw it in Freehold about 8 years ago," Nye said. "I submitted letters to theaters to see if they would let me direct it and nobody said yes. But finally I got the chance to do it at Villagers."

As part of the Villagers Independent Producer Series (VIP), Nye, through his new production company The Triangle Circle Players, got the chance to produce and direct "Avow," which opened on Jan. 13 to a sellout crowd.

"I haven't actually been involved with the theater since high school, so I got really lucky that (Villagers Theatre) was willing to let a new director come in and do a show," Nye said. "One of the things I like about the VIP series is that they let new directors come in and try shows without much financial responsibility for what happens, so it's great for independent producers."

“Avow” focuses on the themes of faith, commitment, human sexuality, obedience and family. The play tells the story of a same-sex couple who ask their parish priest to witness and bless their vows to each other.

Nye said the play's subject matter appealed to him on a personal level.

"It kind of goes back into my history dealing with a family member who is an Evangelical Christian and feels that I'm a sinner," Nye said. "I won't go into detail, but her relationship with me reminds me of the parts of the play that deal with the Catholic Church and their views on gay marriage."

Nye said the audience’s reaction to the opening performances were positive and gave him high hopes for the rest of the play's run.

"Well nobody walked out so that's good, because I was expecting some people to walk out who were unfamiliar with the subject of the play," he said. "Many people said they thought the play was thought provoking and was a great production. The play has a good theme without being too in your face to people who are sensitive to the subject matter."

As a rookie director, Nye said his first production presented a learning curve that was made easier by his talented cast.

"I was learning as I was doing some things and that may have been frustrating for the cast, because I didn't necessarily have the knowledge that a typical director would have," he said. "The biggest challenge was that I didn't have a stage manager for half of the production, so I was the producer, stage manager and director all at once. But now I think I've proven myself so I should have it a little easier next time."

Nye said he hopes that audiences will come to view the play with an open mind, and consider some aspects of the gay marriage debate that they may not have considered earlier.

"I hope people who see the play would see that it's okay for them to consider that gay marriage is not threatening to them and to be open minded to two people being in love who may not be of the same sex," he said.

"Avow" will wrap up its run at the Villagers Theatre with performances on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12. Click here for more information.