Gathering props, stage materials and actor’s clothing that imitate 1938 was not easy. It involved a lot of research and preparation.
The famous radio show was heavily documented in many newspaper articles because of the mass panic it resulted in.
“That is what we have created the sound studio from and also what we have based the costumes off of,” Jordan said.
The audience will see the stage as if it were the CBS radio studio in 1938. It will be a visual and audio experience for the audience, he said.
The audio experience will include the actors standing around the microphones and using items such as tin cans and cigar boxes to alter their voices.
Jordan said they will be using an eggbeater with a tin can over it to reflect the sound of an artillery gun that people were supposedly firing at the spaceship.
“Recreating the sound effects has been a really cool aspect,” he said.
The audience will see every one of the actors on stage throughout the entire play for the visual experience.
“The real struggle has been making sure the actors are aware of what they are doing when they are not speaking or standing at the microphone,” Jordan said.
The beginning of the play is a big moment as well as one of Jordan’s favorite scenes. This involves the Mercury Theatre announcer introducing the play, “War of the Worlds.”
The Northwestern actors have been working hard individually to perfect their characters’ actions and accents and then came together to finalize the play and perfect it.
“War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast” is a historical learning experience for everyone to enjoy, Jordan said.
“My main job is to make our students successful in what they are doing and produce the best play possible,” he said.
Performance times
Oct. 26 at 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.
Oct. 28 at 2 p.m.
