Endicott College's Mainstage 'Work in Progress' is an exhilarating Showcase

Keep taking one step forward and believe. You will be okay.

Endicott College presented an entirely original virtual spring mainstage production. Work in Progress is a statement on life in the pandemic and the strengths and hope in the human condition. Mental health is examined along with the importance of speaking out.

I felt a sense of resilience upon viewing Endicott College’s Work in Progress. I am still stunned to believe that this show was written entirely by the cast. Work in Progress is a provocative showcase detailing how people have been deterred from speaking out about their mental health.

The ensemble of Work in Progress drove home the message in emotionally-driven scenes and songs. The cast should be proud of themselves. Wearing masks the entire time, everyone dug deep portraying vulnerability and raw emotions.

The cast did an incredible job connecting with their characters or to each other. I was impressed with how well they did at depicting children of young minds. Eventually, everything does get better if you open up and talk to someone.

I would have liked to have seen what the process of writing this show was like. Not only did the cast write rich dialogue and creative monologues, but they also wrote songs. These songs were catchy and rehearsed well. One of my favorite songs was about reaching goals.

Work in Progress touches upon several crucial subjects. Some of these subjects to note are bullying, effects of social media, and fear. The show surfaces into the mind detailing how nobody knows the battles people are facing. It demonstrates how people look at each other.

Theatre is never put up on its feet alone. The cast uses imagination to the core. There was minimal set construction followed by excellent graphics. The lighting was rather significant to the changing arrays of mood. Red and blue were common colors. I also like how shadows were used to reflect symbolic imagery of the contrast of how someone feels on the inside.

Conducted by Rebecca Kennealy, an orchestra of musicians was set up in the lobby of the performing arts center at Endicott College. The music was moving. Ensemble members also created evocative dance sequences representing the inner feelings of the scene.

The pandemic has changed normal life. For all of us. Not just one. It has affected everyone. It affected the way we think, and how we can speak.

One line that really spoke to me, and I can relate to, is ‘even the nicest smiles struggles - you can give yourself permission to not be okay - don’t mask feelings.’ We don’t have to be happy all the time. Stop to think about the positive aspects of life if your thoughts ever get so tangled up that you can’t think.

Mental health is the most crucial topic that we cannot dismiss. Let people speak. Don’t shut people out. Director Katie Clarke did a tremendous job enforcing these deep messages with the cast. Remind yourself every day that you are loved, you are enough, strong, kind, and worthy.

Even though it was a virtual show, I could still feel how the story impacted the audience. Once the cast made their bows I was applauding. It didn’t matter that it was to a computer screen. I felt like I was there.

I do hope that this show continues to be put on stage because it is an effective demonstration. Work in Progress is close to the heart, engrossing, and a pivotal story. Well done to the cast and crew. You should be very proud of yourselves.

Keep being you. Keep being here. Reach out.