West Virginia Wesleyan College student Michelle Salomon, senior English literature major and theatre minor from Bel Air, MD, will student-direct Oscar Wilde’s classic play, “The Importance of Being Earnest.” Mistaken identities, fights over muffins, and babies in handbags all come to the College’s stage on Wednesday, March 29 to Friday, March 31 at 8 p.m. in Atkinson Auditorium.

Salomon makes Wesleyan history as the first student-director to put on a full-length play. “Having students direct and be responsible for their own production is a great way to tie their theatrical education together,” said advisor and theatre professor Greg Mach. “With Michelle, we knew she would have the passion to see through all the problems she may face.”

The story features Jack played by Erik Keiser, freshman musical theatre major from Germantown, MD, and Algernon played by David Manspeaker, junior theatre major from Elkton, MD, both pretend to be a man named Ernest who vies for the affections of Gwendolen performed by Sarah Nicholas, freshman music theatre major from Weirton, WV, and Cecily, played by Amanda Seebaugh, senior theatre major from Washington, WV. Complications arise with the arrival of Gwendolen’s mother, Lady Bracknell, performed by Laura Baisden, senior art major of Buckhannon.

This “trivial play for serious people” also includes supporting characters played by Carrie Greenberg, senior theatre major from Island Park, NY, Joshua Peters, sophomore theatre major from Lynchburg, VA, AJ Spencer, sophomore music education major from Lewisburg, WV, and Jon Vertuno, freshman musical theatre major from Mechanicsville, VA.
Salomon wanted to do something that was challenging, yet attainable. Her cast reflects on the experience as exciting and daring.

“Earnest has definitely been one of the most difficult, but most rewarding productions I have ever been involved in,” said Erik Keiser. “Rehearsals are always a blast and I get to learn so much about so many things every time we rehearse.” The Importance of Being Earnest is part of the department of theatre and dance’s Emerging Artist’s Festival. The play is free and open to the public.