William Missouri Downs, the playwright of Karl The Magnificent!, writes on the first page of the script a famous quote by the writer and philosopher, Voltaire: “I look upon the world as a farce which sometimes becomes tragic.” I believe that this quote speaks about what it means to experience living, and the idea that life is a series of random events that consist of both good and bad moments. The comparison of Voltaire's quote to this play is fascinating. Karl the Magnificent! is perhaps the wildest yet most profound show I've had the privilege to work on. It is a play that uses crude humor and crass language to hint at a deeper meaning and make its audience stop and ponder what it means to be human, thus pointing back to Voltaire's initial quote.

This play consists of four characters who are all loosely based on harmful stereotypes. The first is the stereotype "Nerd.” People who are referred to as nerds are typically seen as antisocial or awkward. They are assumed to have no friends and to only find joy when doing something “smart.” The next stereotype is young women, specifically young women who use drugs. Women are seen as ditzy and dumb and these young women often get treated like they're cute objects who are only there to support the men in their lives. But, if one uses drugs, then suddenly they are a lost cause who doesn't deserve respect or decency. The third stereotype is women with anxiety and mental illness. We think they're ‘crazy’ and need to be pumped full of drugs to be considered a functioning member of society. It's a timeless cycle that girls into women will always experience. Finally, a stereotype of men as a whole. The idea that all men are cruel and perverted and numb to feelings; if you're a man in touch with his feelings, then you're weak. Each of these stereotypes are harmful in their own ways, but the play encourages each individual to hold a mirror up to themselves and reflect on the mindsets and prejudices that we have been taught to believe. 

Karl the Magnificent! asks the questions: Do we deserve second chances to do good after doing bad, and are we, as a species and as individuals, capable of doing good? As humans evolve, we get meaner. With each generation we lose respect for the people around us, for religion and even the world itself. This play is making a statement that if we don’t change our behaviors and our mindsets, then humanity is doomed. It is a call to action that serves as a reminder that anyone can make a difference no matter how big or how small. 

At Brevard College, we are committed to an experiential liberal arts education that encourages personal growth and inspires artistic, intellectual, and social action. The Theatre program uses the art of storytelling to develop self-awareness, cultivate curiosity and communicate human behavior, resulting in empathy and community connection. This production definitely puts an emphasis on the ‘experiential education’ part of our mission statement! I am the first student director of a mainstage show here at Brevard College and have been met with incredible positivity and excitement from the community, my peers and the theatre faculty. This process has truly shown me what it means to be a Company and how to appreciate inner growth. It has been an honor to work on this show and I will leave you all with one final thought from the show: “Wouldn’t it make a statement, if only moments before we bring down the curtain on this absurdity we did something about our brokenness by finally stopping all the hate and simply loved one another. Wouldn’t that make our oh-so brief lives worth living?” (KTM pg. 67).