One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
During the fall of 2013, I had the opportunity to work with a group of young inspiring actors on a project that was thrilling and taxing at the same time. This project brought out the best in all of us because we had to dig deep within ourselves to discover aspects of our personalities that might remind us of some of the characters in the play.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Dale Wasserman based on the novel by Ken Kesey
Directed by Ardencie Hall-Karambé, Ph. D.
Set Design by Petre Moseuenu, MFA
Lighting Design by Monica Chevaz
Sound Design by Richard Gilbert
Original Music by Ardencie Hall-Karambé,
Ph. D.
Costume Design by Rhonda Davis* and Ardencie Hall-Karambe, Ph. D.
Dance Coach…Peggy Mecham, Ph. D.
Acting Coach…Kirsten Quinn, MFA
Assistant Director/ Stage Manager…Rhonda Davis*
Cast (in order of appearance):
Chief Bromden………………………………Warith Muhammad*
Aide Williams………………………………..Harry Gonzalez*
Aide Warren………………………………….Briana Green*
Nurse Ratched………………………………..Janeque Campbell*
Nurse Flynn…………………………………..Samira Naqrouche
Dale Harding…………………………………Joshua Bright*
Billy Bibbitt…………………………………..Terrill Johnson
Charlene (Charlie) Cheswick…………...........Stacey Scott*
Frank Scanlon………………………………...Rasheeda Wright
Antony Martini……………………………….Janae Hack*
Ruckly………………………………………..Latisha Elliott*
Randel Patrick MacMurphy…………….........Kevin Sligh*
Dr. Spivey…………………………………….Fajr El*
Aide Turkel…………………………………...Dominique Turner*
Candy…………………………………………Tai-lhani Mcbride*
Sandy………………………………………….Darlene Smith*
*Theatre Arts Curriculum Major
Photos and Video by Ardencie Hall-Karambé, Ph. D.
Director’s Note
To paraphrase an old saying, “The truly insane man is the one who doesn’t think he is insane.” We are all just a nudge away off the cliff of sanity and into the abyss of insanity. Psychotic disorders vary as much as the sufferers; we now know some maybe chemical imbalances that can be treated by drugs while others are more “temporary” and purely based on perceived differences. We know that psychosis is a symptom, not a condition in itself, and can be brought by stress and trauma. In One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest the author looks at both forms while questioning the medical methods and professionals there to “cure” the patients. During the time period in which Ken Kesey writes, mid-1950s to mid-1960s, many things we now see as normal were viewed as forms of psychosis (negative signs of behavior), and many people were institutionalized. Kesey’s work challenged the idea of what was normal during a time when being defined normal was the ideal. The country was coming out war and many, mainly youth, were disillusioned about the world that was left. While the rest of the country sought conformity, these cynical souls sought more inclusive ways of defining normal. Ken Kesey, who was friends with Alan Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, Timothy Leary, and Tom Wolfe saw himself and his work as the bridge between the Beat Generation and Hippy Movement. He often reflected on the fact that he was too young to be a Beat but too old to be a Hippy. Yet, his work can be seen as the pathway between seemingly different yet connected ideals. His piece reflects the conflict between the “new freedoms” desired by the aforementioned group and the “conventional freedoms” of society at the time. Randle P. MacMurphy represents the winds of change in the placid but mind-numbing state mental hospital that is over seen by Nurse Ratchet who represents the need for conformity and order. Their clash and battle is a war for the heart and soul of America.
~Ardencie Hall-Karambé
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