BWW Blog: Amanda Grillo - Meet the Cast of THE NETHER

It's that time of the semester! The first week of March transports the Bucknall theater at the University of New Haven to Jennifer Haley's cyber world of The Nether. I was lucky enough to get an exclusive first look and talk to the cast about what the process has been like and what you can expect when you come to see the show. Let's find out what they have to say. Shall we?

What has been the most interesting part about developing your character?

"The most interesting thing about developing my character is really the breaking down of my own understanding of what my character's goals and personal feelings really are." -Greg Pease (Papa/Simms)

"The most interesting thing about developing Doyle's character is trying to figure out how disoriented with the outside world he is and understanding what he's become after spending so much time in the Hideaway realm in the Nether. It's a study of a man who doesn't care about anything apart from the life he has found for himself in this virtual reality." -Zach Fontanez (Doyle)

"The most interesting thing about developing Detective Morris has been working on her tough exterior and understanding why she has it. I don't think of myself as a very cold or hard person but as a detective, Morris has to be most of the time. " -Brianna L'Ecuyer (Morris)

"In The Nether, I portray Iris, a young girl who is considerately younger than me. The most interesting, and albeit challenging, thing about developing her is that she is so young and naïve, but yet seductive and highly persuasive." -Amanda Cohen (Iris)

" Woodnut goes through a huge psychological dilemma and ends up in a very difficult situation. Developing this arc was very interesting and challenging." -Joshua Lodge (Woodnut)

What can The Nether teach us about technology and society?

"The Nether brings you to a world where we no longer have to live with the reality we were given but instead live in a reality we can create. Technology is a powerful tool and also a powerful divider. As people we still need social interactions between ourselves to progress as humans." -Greg Pease (Papa/Simms)

"The Nether teaches audiences that everything that we understand to be true is a result of images and concepts that have been embedded in us over a lifetime. Change those images, and you change reality. It also raises questions about morals in the path of modern scientific advancement, questions that society will have to answer as technology becomes more and more dominant in our lives." -Zach Fontanez (Doyle)

"The Nether definitely teaches audiences that even though you think you are free to do whatever you wish online, that is not the case. When you are online and interacting with others, there are still real people behind those computers just like you. It's easy for people to forget that. " -Brianna L'Ecuyer (Morris)

"The Nether can teach audiences about the different factions of the internet, and even warn for what the future may hold. Although this play is set in the future, there currently are people in this world similar to the characters of the Nether. The internet can be a deadly place, one of which all kinds of people take to in order to seek information and feel they belong. Technology can be both a blessing and curse, as it can liberate but also hold its inhabitants captive. "-Amanda Cohen (Iris)

"The Nether highlights how fast technology is advancing and how the legal system is always struggling to catch up. It also highlights the grey areas/loopholes of the law and how societies views tend to place these grey areas in the "right or wrong" category." -Joshua Lodge (Woodnut)

What can audiences expect to see when they come see the show?

"Audiences should be aware they are stepping into some real heavy topics when entering the Nether but shouldn't be afraid to want to know more. "-Greg Pease (Papa/Simms)

"Audiences can expect to see two worlds simultaneously: the real world, which in the future has become a stark, bleak landscape, and the virtual world, specifically the Hideaway, one of the most beautiful places in existence, a world in which people can experience sensations that they no longer have access to in the real world. Audiences can also expect to see the darkness hidden beneath the Hideaway's beauty, and a story about crime, justice, love and betrayal in the virtual world of the future." -Zach Fontanez (Doyle)

"The audience can expect to see a peek into what could quite possibly be our future. Technology is becoming more and more advanced everyday, especially with virtual reality becoming such a popular trend. This progress is both wonderful and terrifying." -Brianna L'Ecuyer (Morris)

"Audiences can expect to see both the Hideaway, a region in the Nether, of which my character resides, and the world we live in today. The play illustrates the conflict that exists between the real world and virtual reality. The Nether forces the audience to analyze the world we live in today and question humanity's morals." -Amanda Cohen (Iris)

"the audience can expect a show that will toy with their emotions and have them questioning what is right and wrong." -Joshua Lodge (Woodnut)

What lesson can be taken away or have you taken away from your experience working on this show?

" Is it right for someone to relieve themselves of something that is wrong in a way that harms no one? Who are we to say how others should handle their sicknesses when we can walk outside and be perfectly content with the way things are? "-Greg Pease (Papa/Simms)

"The biggest take away for audiences of The Nether would probably be that we don't know what the future holds, but we know that technology will advance, and we hope that our society will become more progressive. However, if it does, we need to be prepared to answer questions about what we deem permissible and whether or not we think those parameters can change." -Zach Fontanez (Doyle)

"I think as I said before, the biggest take away for anyone should be that there are always real people behind the avatars you see online or in those chat rooms you go on. The things you see or do online might not be real, but the people behind it are. Be kind, be aware, and be safe" -Brianna L'Ecuyer (Morris)

"Personally, this play has given me a new perspective on life. Having been cast as Iris, I have a better understanding of what it is like to live in a virtual world. The fact that you never know someone's intentions, nor do you know an online person's true identity, as you only know them by their avatar, has been etched into my mind. Technology continues to advance with every passing year, which poses the question of whether our world will begin to adopt the aspect of virtual reality, and if one day in the future we do live in a virtual reality world, we should educate ourselves in advance in order to create a safe place to explore this new realm." -Amanda Cohen (Iris)

"This show has taught me how difficult it can be to escape a dark place in your life, or over come a flaw you have. No one has control over who they are, and everyone has their flaws. Its difficult admitting that you have a problem, but its even more difficult overcoming it. You can't get past it until you admit that it is a problem." -Joshua Lodge (Woodnut)

Come see The Nether!

Want more info on the show?

The University of New Haven Theater Program Presents:

THE NETHER By Jennifer Haley

Where: Bucknall Theater 300 Boston Post Road, West Haven, CT 06516

When: March 1st-4th @ 8pm

A new virtual wonderland provides total sensory immersion. Just log in, choose an identity and indulge your every whim. But when a young detective uncovers a disturbing brand of entertainment, she triggers a dark battle over technology and human desire. Winner of the 2012 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, The Nether is both serpentine crime drama and haunting sci-fi thriller that explores the consequences of living out our private dreams.

TICKETS may be purchased at the door are pay-what-you-will