October 11, 2021
Gainesville Theatre Alliance (GTA) has assembled a cast of characters including a world-famous sleuth and combined them with a rotating set to bring Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express" to the stage.
GTA is a one-of-a-kind, nationally recognized collaboration between the University of North Georgia (UNG) and Brenau University. Utilizing hands-on, individualized training while emphasizing ensemble and collaboration between programs, GTA boasts a production program rivaling the largest theater schools in the country.
GTA's production crew broke new ground this fall with an unconventional set for Agatha Christie's novel, which was adapted by playwright Ken Ludwig. Traditionally, "Murder on the Orient Express" is performed with the audience seeing the front view of the train and interaction among characters. However, the Ed Cabell Theatre stage at UNG allows the audience to view the performance from three sides.
"Our Ed Cabell stage presented multiple design, transition, and blocking challenges that have all been difficult to navigate, but we overcame it with a unique solution,” Zechariah Pierce, director of the show and associate professor of theatre at UNG, said.