![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rice_theatrewesleyan_03.3.jpg\")
Tristan Andrews, who portrays Algernon Moncrieff in \u201cThe Importance of Being Earnest,\u201d performs during the show\u2019s final dress rehearsal Nov. 12, 2025, on the Texas Wesleyan University campus. (McKinnon Rice | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\nOscar Wilde described his play \u201cThe Importance of Being Earnest\u201d as \u201ca trivial comedy for serious people.\u201d<\/p>\n
But there is nothing trivial about the work Texas Wesleyan University theater students put into their production. The audience sees 2 hours and 15 minutes of spirited performance, but much more goes on behind the scenes.<\/p>\n
If the audience is naive to the work the students put in, this is a sign of success, said Jeanne Everton, the Texas Wesleyan theater professor who directs the comedy. She teaches the practicum class for which student participation in the production is required.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy position on this is, it should look effortless,\u201d she said. \u201cWe don\u2019t want our audience to be focused on how hard it was, how much hard work went into a performance. We want them to see the performance and enjoy the story, enjoy the visuals, without focusing on how hard the work was.\u201d<\/p>\n
The students began work on the play on Oct. 6, with rehearsals held 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. They must attend every day in which their scenes are practiced.<\/p>\n
Three rehearsal days were devoted to learning the Victorian British accent they would adopt for the performance, including one day focused solely on the pronunciation of the letter R.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tristan Andrews, a sophomore who plays lead character Algernon Moncrieff, said the accent was the biggest lesson he learned from staging the comedy.<\/p>\n
\u201cGod bless, man,\u201d Andrews said. \u201cIt seems like it changed just about every vowel and every word, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n
Tristan Andrews, who portrays Algernon Moncrieff in \u201cThe Importance of Being Earnest,\u201d performs during the show\u2019s final dress rehearsal Nov. 12, 2025, on the Texas Wesleyan University campus. (McKinnon Rice | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
Sophomore Bianca Zamorano said a challenge for her, in addition to the accent, was portraying the naivete of Cecily Cardew, one of the lead characters.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was very hard doing that, because I myself am very unlike her,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m very aware of what I\u2019m doing. I\u2019m very aware of others. I know what other people are feeling. I know how I\u2019m feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n
The production is a theater-in-the-round performance, meaning that the audience views the action from all sides.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This requires a unique layout and style of acting. The performers move often to make sure they do not have their back to any one section of the audience for too long.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the normal case, where it\u2019s actors on one side and then the audience on the other side, you only have to look one way the entire show, essentially. But now that the actors are on four sides surrounded by people, now you have to essentially cater to almost everyone,\u201d Andrews said.<\/p>\n
This also impacts the lighting and set design. The production crew had to take care not to blind the audience with lights or build a set that would block someone\u2019s view.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rice_theatrewesleyan_04.44.jpg\")
Students perform during their final dress rehearsal Nov. 12, 2025, on the Texas Wesleyan University campus. From left: Makailyn Felder, Tristan Andrews, Bianca Zamorano, Aaron Simmons and Trinity Chenault. (McKinnon Rice | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
For Zamorano, her commitment to the production is in addition to an on-campus job as a lead mentor for new students, a job at Wingstop, about six hours of work in the scene shop each week, and three classes in addition to the practicum. She balances all that by taking advantage of every second.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t let myself freak out,\u201d she said. \u201cIf I have a dull moment while I\u2019m sitting at the table doing new student mentor, I\u2019ll knock out an assignment real quick if it takes two seconds.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For Andrews, he is taking five classes in addition to working a few hours each week in the scene shop. Some days leave him without any downtime, he said.<\/p>\n
Everton said this helps prepare the students for life after graduation, when they will need to balance acting with a side gig that pays the bills.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of this, it\u2019s sort of like trial by fire, but it prepares them for how difficult it is to sustain a career until you get to a point that you\u2019re a star, and then you make gigantic bucks, and you can give up the side hustle,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rice_theatre_03.33.jpg\")
Bianca Zamorano acts during the final dress rehearsal with Madisyn Savard, left, and Makailyn Felder Nov. 12, 2025, on the Texas Wesleyan University campus. (McKinnon Rice | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
The production is a step toward big dreams both students hope to chase after graduation.<\/p>\n
Andrews\u2019 interest in acting was sparked by watching television and movies, including one particular summer he spent watching \u201cBreaking Bad.\u201d He enjoys the work of making the portrayal of a character believable.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou watch a bad movie and you see this guy who\u2019s putting in a poor performance and you\u2019re like, \u2018OK, this is Joe Schmo who works down the street. This isn\u2019t real,\u2019\u201d he said. \u201cBut then you see Walter White onscreen or some guy like that, and you\u2019re like, \u2018This is happening.\u2019 You believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrews wants to be in a TV show or movie after graduation.<\/p>\n
Zamorano was inspired to pursue the field by her older brother, who she first saw perform in \u201cShrek the Musical.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just something about seeing my brother onstage,\u201d she said. \u201cI was 7, and I was like, man, that\u2019s what I want to do when I grow up. I want to be like him. He\u2019s always been my greatest inspiration when it comes to theater, and he\u2019s never kicked me down about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zamorano\u2019s brother is a middle school theater teacher, and she wants to follow in his footsteps \u2014 as well as \u201cmake it big.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
If you go:<\/p>\n
What: \u201cThe Importance of Being Earnest\u201d by Theatre Wesleyan<\/p>\n
When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21 and 2 p.m. Nov. 22<\/p>\n
Where: Thad Smotherman Theatre at Texas Wesleyan University, 1205 Binkley St.<\/p>\n
Admission: $10<\/p>\n
The afternoon before the students\u2019 final dress rehearsal and a day before the production\u2019s opening night, Zamorano was anticipating her brother\u2019s attendance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And, of course, excited to hear laughs.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease laugh,\u201d she said, letting loose a chuckle of her own. \u201cEnjoy the show. Don\u2019t be afraid to laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n
McKinnon Rice is the higher education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at mckinnon.rice@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Fort Worth Report partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage.<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
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