Based entirely on the verbatim transcript of the 2017 FBI interrogation of whistleblower Reality Winner, “Is This a Room” follows the former Air Force linguist as federal agents arrive at her home to question her. Federal prosecutors later charged Winner under the Espionage Act for leaking a classified document regarding Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.
Rather than dramatizing the events through a traditional script, “Is This a Room” is built from the actual words spoken during the interrogation. Mundane questions, awkward pauses and seemingly ordinary conversation gradually transform into an unsettling portrait of power, fear and uncertainty.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2-3 and Oct. 6-10, and at 2 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Dennis and Cheryl Woods Theatre on campus. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for Fresno State faculty, staff, alumni and military, $5 for Fresno State students and $10 for all other students. This play contains mature content and themes. Children under 12 will not be admitted.
Tina Satter created the play’s concept and original direction, and Michelle Bellaver, assistant professor of theatre arts, directs the University Theatre production.
The Department of Theatre and Dance and the Department of Political Science will host a free symposium at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at the John Wright Theatre. The panel will explore themes raised by the play, including free speech, the Espionage Act, election interference and whistleblowing ethics. Panelists include Bellaver; Dr. Lisa Bryant, professor and chair of political science; and Dr. Josephine Hazelton-Boyle, assistant professor of political science. The symposium will be followed by the 7:30 p.m. ticketed performance.
Critics praised the Broadway production for finding suspense in the mundane. The New York Times called it “astonishing emotional theatre,” while Variety described it as a “formally daring docudrama.”
“This show has been on my bucket list as a director ever since I first heard about it in 2019,” Bellaver said. “I’m thrilled to be directing this dynamic and still prescient story at Fresno State and producing this show in a thrust configuration, which I believe allows the audience to have a multitude of perspectives in how they are going to experience the story based on where they choose to sit. I hope their view becomes an active and transformative part of their experience in the larger story.”
“Is This a Room” features performances by students Melanie Desirre, Ronnie McClure, Sage Rivera and Sean Torres.
Doors open 30 minutes prior to curtain. The production runs without an intermission. The theater will not admit latecomers. No refunds or exchanges. The box office is open Tuesday through Thursday, and on performance Fridays from noon to 3 p.m., and one hour before each performance. The box office accepts cash, check and credit card. Parking is free for Friday through Sunday evening performances. Tuesday through Thursday evening performances require a parking permit, available at campus parking dispensers.
For more information, contact the box office at 559.278.2216 or universitytheatre@csufresno.edu.
By Miguel A Gastelum
