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College senior Paul Shore directs ‘God’ as part of his senior thesis for an individualized major College senior Paul Shore could not get what he needed from the College of Arts and Sciences — so he created it himself.
As a sophomore, Shore envisioned an individualized major called “Theory and Practice of Film and Drama” combining classes in the English, Fine Arts and Theater Arts departments.
Three years of his unique educational plan have led Shore through a difficult maze of classes, which he passed “with little support” from College advisors.
Yesterday, the last leg of Shore’s journey began with the opening of an adapted production of Woody Allen’s God, which serves as part of his senior thesis and also is Intuitons’ spring show.
Shore describes the production as “very Woody” and is confident that it will be a success at the University.
God combines theater, film, music and even a live painter into a single media experience.
Shore is videotaping the audience’s reaction to the play and plans to write a 40-60 page research paper on his findings.
“Penn has never really seen a play like this,” Shore said. “I am now satisfied with both the play and my major.”
Shore’s interest in the fine arts began during his school days in Quebec when he became involved with film during the tenth grade.
During his first year at the University, Shore took classes in the English and Fine Arts departments, but was dissatisfied with each on its own.
Partially because the University does not have a film-making program, Shore decided to spend his remaining years working toward an individualized major.
“It was hard to combine 14 different classes from three separate disciplines,” Shore said. “It took a lot of work, but it is great that I can do what I want.”
Even after the major was approved during his sophomore year, the hardest task was yet to come.
Despite his repeated requests, Shore says that none of the departments was very accommodating.
The resignation of Shore’s sole advisor caused new difficulties.
Shore’s major obstacle was attempting to find sponsors for his required senior thesis.
“I wrongly thought one of the departments in my major would sponsor my play,” Shore explained. “I ended up with no space, no money and no key support.”
Intuitons, the University’s experimental theater group that is funded by the Student Activities Council, saved Shore’s thesis by accepting it as their spring production.
Shore says Intuitons has been “very supportive” of the 40 actors and production workers participating in God.
According to Shore, the play — which takes place in a surreal setting-less limbo — is bound to be a success with the University community.
“This play even breaks the fourth wall,” Shore said. “I have actors coming out of the audience and other actors going into it.”
At least 20 television monitors will be used throughout God.
“It is a play within a play within a television,” explained College sophomore George Mystakas, who has four separate roles in the play. “Paul’s vision of chaos is real in the sense that he wants people to realize how messed up this world really is.”
