UHCL Storytellers stun with the reinvention of The Great Gatsby
Old money, new money, love, intrigue, heartbreak, and murder. Combined, all create an incredible drama that leaves you consumed by its events. This story is the tale of “The Great Gatsby.
The Storytellers chose to reinvent this 1920s classic by transforming its aesthetic into the 80s, where the hair is big, the clothing is bright, and the music is synthesized. This engaging adaptation was presented in the UHCL Bayou Theater Black Box, where an audience can experience the performance firsthand on stage. With every movement of the actors, the audience feels like they are flies on the wall of this drama. Viewing scenes in an up close and personal way was nothing I have ever experienced before because, typically, one is seated far away from the comings and goings of the stage.
The selection of the cast was quite impressive as Diego Soto led its narrative as Nick Carraway, a Midwest man from an established family who moves to West Egg, a wealthy district in Long Island. Nick’s cousin Daisy Buchannan lives across the lake with her insufferable cheating husband, Tom. His latest spree involves a social climber named Myrtle Wilson, performed by Nadia Jasso. A married woman from the wrong side of town who also happens to be Buchannan’s mechanic George Wilson’s (Calvin Rampy) wife. The Buchannans welcome him into their small circle, where he meets the beautiful Jordan Baker, Daisy’s childhood friend, played by Ayeka Potter. The story begins with their comings and goings from West Egg into the city until one night; Nick stumbles into an electrifying party with Jordan Baker, where he meets his mysterious neighbor. Carraway resides in a cottage next to the mansion of the incomparable millionaire Jay Gatsby, played by Walter McNairy. The play was adapted and directed by Andrea Baldwin, senior lecturer in communication.
This adaption of such a great story was beyond what I could have imagined it to be. The 80s aesthetic made it feel like a more modern take on the classic. The thoughtfulness of Baldwin’s, take on The Great Gatsby regarding the cast’s clothing and the 80s video montage created by the UHCL Storytellers enhances the story’s visuals. The dedication to the characterization and extensive lines performed by the cast was impressive. The audience sat there fully engaged in every moment. Not a murmur or bathroom break happened during the entirety of the show, which displays how involved the audience was in the storyline.
Aside from watching this outstanding production, I had the pleasure of interviewing two of the leading roles performed by Walter McNairy as Jay Gatsby and Ayeka Potter as Jordan Baker. They detailed their experiences with the UHCL Storytellers, their roles, their perspective of what it takes to be in a live performance, and much more.
Here it is as follows:
Callie: What made you decide to audition for the role of Jay Gatsby?
Walter: I auditioned for all the roles available and told the director to give me the role she thought would challenge me as a performer.
Callie: What is the most exciting part of making a classic 80s aesthetic?
Walter: I love the costumes we’re wearing for the performance, and hearing the 80s music within the show is really fun as well.
Callie: When did you begin acting with the UHCL Storytellers?
Walter: I started my performance career in January 2022 in the show The White Rose of Tejas.
Callie: What has been your favorite performance to be a part of?
Walter: I’d have to say this performance is my favorite because of the community we’ve built within the cast—a perfect environment to improve as a performer.
Callie: If you were on a desert island, what three 1980s songs would you listen to?
Walter: “I Would Die 4 U”- by Prince & The Revolution, “I Wanna Be Your Lover”- by Prince, and “Let’s Dance”- by David Bowie.
Callie: What are some of your most valuable skills as an actor?
Walter: I think emotional range and nonverbal acting are my most valuable skills as an actor.
Callie: Do you believe talent or training is more important to an actor?
Walter: Hard work is a lot more valuable than talent. Talent can’t get you far if you have no work ethic.
Callie: What is your favorite film or theater production right now?
Walter: My favorite film right now is “Nope” by Jordan Peele, and it is a dream of mine to work with him.
Callie: What are your short-term and long-term goals as an actor?
Walter: My goal is to be the best performer I can be. My long-term is to build a career and resume that can get my foot in the door.
Callie: How did you come across the UHCL Storytellers?
Walter: I was taking an Intro to Mass Communications class as a freshman and heard about the Storytellers in that class. I always wanted an opportunity to perform but was never given one before then.
Callie: What is your favorite part about acting?
Walter: My favorite part about acting is finding the nuances in a character or performance. I love milking each moment for all I can get out of it.
Callie: Are you working towards a theater degree at the University of Houston- Clear Lake?
Walter: No, I am working on my degree in Graphic Design and Studio Art as a double major.
Callie: If you could decide your next play, what would it be, and who would you play?
Walter: I actually get to decide my next performance, thankfully. I’m working on writing my first-ever performance called “Lucky Hands”! I’ll be performing it in November of 2023 here at school.
Callie: What advice and information would you give someone interested in participating in the UHCL Storytellers?
Walter: You should dive headfirst into the experience of performance, and if you don’t know how to swim, we will show you the ropes.
Callie: What is challenging about acting?
Walter: The most challenging thing for me is the anxiety before a performance begins.
Callie: What can make a role challenging for an actor?
Walter: A role can be challenging when a performer doesn’t know how to express or convey a certain emotion a character is supposed to be experiencing.
Next is an interview with Ayeka Potter, whose take on Jordan Baker was absolutely original. She transformed herself into a moody yet lovable goth and engulfed herself into this character. It was a delight to see her take on such a classic character.
Here below is our interview:
Callie: What made you decide to audition for the role of Jordan Baker? How did you feel connected to her character?
Ayeka: I auditioned for both Daisy and Jordan, but when I was asked who I would rather be, I said Jordan because I felt like I wasn’t quite ready for a role that big. I also felt that Jordan’s role was more relatable than Daisy’s role.
Callie: What is the most exciting part of making a classic story an 80s aesthetic?
Ayeka: Getting to learn what the culture was like. Our characters do and say certain things, and so to understand why they do or say those things, we need to understand the times and the culture. It’s like a history lesson, and I like history.
Callie: When did you begin acting for the UHCL Storytellers?
Ayeka: I actually didn’t start acting until I performed in The White Rose of Tejas spring of 2022. When I was a kid, I did a lot of skits and performances with my friends. Then in high school, I was in tech theater until my senior year.
Callie: What has been your favorite play with the UHCL Storytellers to be a part of?
Ayeka: I love The Great Gatsby, but The White Rose of Tejas will always take that spot. It was my first acting performance. I had just gotten out of this really bad depression, and my confidence was at an all-time low and so performing with Dr. Baldwin and my fellow performers rose it and then getting to perform in San Angelo and Petit Jean. It helped guide me into a better place mentally. I also made friends at that performance, and I will always cherish that.
Callie: If you were on a desert island, what three 1980s songs would you want to listen to?
Ayeka: “Master of Puppets” by Metallica, “Anyway You Want It” by Journey, and “The Final Countdown” by Europe.
Callie: What are some of your most valuable skills as an actor?
Ayeka: It takes me some time to understand the character and their motivations, but once I do, I feel like I am really good at presenting myself as them and acting as they would.
Callie: Do you believe talent or training is more important to an actor’s career?
Ayeka: Training all the way. Sure, you can be good at memorizing lines, and you can be good at presenting the lines, but there is no comparison to someone who did the research on the part.
Ayeka’s story is so honest and beautiful. Her experiences resonate with how some people feel during pivotal moments in their lives. We all want to feel okay and feel like we have found a safe space to belong to. I am happy she has found her community and the growth she has experienced since joining the UHCL Storytellers. It shows exactly how important theater is to a community and what it can accomplish not just in awards but a person’s heart.
Overall, the UHCL Storytellers performed a fantastic rendition of one of my favorite written works. I could not have been more impressed by this group’s showmanship and dedication. I cannot stress enough the talent and love that goes into what they do together. I applaud Dr. Baldwin for providing a space for everyone and bringing a love of theater every single day. That is no easy feat, and what she has done for these students is inspiring. If you are interested in being involved in something bigger than yourself or want to dabble in acting, this is the place for you.
