Averett's 'Proof' explores emotional territory

The Averett University Theatre Department has tossed its usual modus operandi for its latest show, the award-winning drama “Proof.”
Students who generally find themselves on stage are working behind the scenes, while stage managers and costume designers are taking on the acting roles, giving students a chance to explore different aspects of their craft.
“It’s really odd for us,” said director Penny Sornberger, who can usually be found in the costume shop, designing shows from a completely different perspective.
“At first it scared me to death,” said Sabrina Saypack, who usually works behind the scenes as a stage manager, but is playing Claire in this show. “But everyone has been so supportive. It’s been good.”
“Getting out in the front of things has been an interesting challenge,” added Elizabeth Johnson, who plays Catherine, the show’s emotionally charged lead.
Johnson has appeared in a few shows recently, including “School House Rock” and “Our Town,” but she generally works as a stage manager, and taking the lead role is a huge departure for her, especially considering the depth of the part.
“This is Catherine’s play,” Sornberger said. “It’s a lot of lines, and most of the scenes are two person, so you kind of have to know the whole play.”
The show tells the story of a math whiz who is afraid her late father, Robert, also a mathematical genius, but suffering from debilitating mental illness, might have passed along his less favorable genetics as well.
The show explores that fear, along with the storyline from which came the show’s title, “Proof,” when one of Robert’s former grad students discovers a paradigm-shifting proof about prime numbers in Robert’s office, and Catherine has to prove the proof was created by her, and not her father.
The play is based in part on the life of West Virginia-born mathematician John Nash, as was the movie “A Beautiful Mind,” but despite its scientific leanings, it’s much more of an emotionally driven work, according to the cast.
“It’s an examination of its effects on family and the people who have to deal with it,” said Nicole Floyd, a seasoned Averett actress who is doing her final theatrical piece before graduation behind the scenes as assistant director.
“It’s a play that a lot of people can access, they’ve all been in a place where their lives have changed,” added Sornberger. “We’ve all had self doubts and fears and we’ve all had to prove ourselves in certain situations.
“It’s a good play for character studies, a good acting challenge,” she added.
“Proof” starts at 7:30 p.m. tonight through Saturday on Averett’s Pritchett Auditorium stage.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and are available by calling the Averett box office at (434) 791-5712.