The latest production, “Deep Calls,” from the University of Idaho Department of Theatre Arts promises to be one many people can relate to.
It is a play filled with trials, tribulations and redemption. The writer and director for this play are both UI Master of Fine Arts candidates in theater arts. Writer Kendra Phillips decided to write a play about a serious and topical issue.
“It was a topic that came up for years. People in my church were supporting this organization that helped women in prostitution,” Phillips said. “The more I learned about it, the more I was frustrated about how prostitution was generally portrayed in the media. I wanted to write something more accurate and less romanticized.”
Phillips was determined to make sure that prostitution was depicted in an accurate way. Phillips and Director KT Turner said finding the right cast for this was not an easy process.
“The cool part about this audition process was that the people who auditioned made my job really, really hard,” Turner said. “And that’s the greatest gift an actor can give a director. There were at least three distinct casting choices I could have made.”
Phillips and Turner both said the chemistry between the actors is amazing. Most of them had already starred in the play “Little Women,” also put on by UI.
Cast members for “Deep Calls” include Luke Holt as Porcupine, Emma Pace as Carson and Tanya Thompson as Judith. Musicians Emma Nixon and Victoria Thornton also lend their talents to the production.
There has been a lot of effort put into the play from the cast and crew along with the organizations that are involved in making this play.
“Deep Calls” is a play about a prostitute trying to escape
her world by retreating into the world of fairy tales and imagination. Phillips
and Turner said that even if one person does not relate to the specific
situation, everyone has either been or has known a person in a toxic situation
trying desperately to find a way out of it..
David Harlan | Courtesy
In relation to the themes of the play, the UI Women’s Center and the Counseling Center and Testing Center have set aside time following showings of the play for anyone who may need guidance, help or anything else.
Phillips wrote “Deep Calls” with several organizations in mind. One of those was The Genesis Project.
This Seattle organization specializes in helping all survivors of commercial sexual exploitation. They have helped hundreds of people and can be contacted at (206) 592-2362, [email protected] or their website www.genesisnow.org.
Another organization that provides more resources is Real Escape from the Sex Trade, better known as REST. REST specializes in helping all victims of sexual exploitation and offers several programs including temporary housing for victims. They can be contacted at [email protected], (425)-395-4691, their 24/7 hotline (206)-451-7378 or their website iwantrest.com.
“Deep Calls” promises to be a play that offers a realistic look at a dark world often romanticized by the media. It is also a production that is extending a helping hand to people who need it.
This play has mature content and is not suitable for children.
Tickets are available by calling (208) 885- 6465 or can be purchased at the door 30 minutes before curtain. Tickets are free for UI students, $6 for students from other schools, $12 for UI employees, seniors, and military and $17 for adults.
“Deep Calls” premieres on Friday with subsequent shows on Feb. 8, 12, 13, and 14 at 7:30 p.m. There are 2 p.m. showings on Feb. 8, 9, and 15.
Teren Kowatsch can be reached at [email protected]