Audiences will grapple with the concept of truth and reality in Elon University’s fall play “Describe the Night.”
“Describe the Night,” written by Rajiv Joseph, takes place across different periods of time, such as the 1920s Soviet Union and Russia in the 2010s. It will be performed in Roberts Studio Theatre in Scott Studios from Oct. 3-7.
The show weaves together the stories of seven characters during different time periods. All the characters in the show are based on real people, but the events of the show are heavily fictionalized.
Sophomore Carter Sindelar plays an author named Isaac Babel. Sindelar said being a writer was a very dangerous profession in the Soviet Union.
“Usually when a government is switching over to tyranny, and a form of fascism, they go after artists and journalists,” Sindelar said. “That's because that's where you control the truth.”
Director and Elon professor of theatre Kevin Otos said the show focuses on the manipulation of truth and how it affects people’s lives.
“One of the big questions in the play is ‘Can human beings live a meaningful life when truth is being distorted and manipulated in an effort to try and control them?’” Otos said.
Director Kevin Otos and stage manager Hailey Avari watch the cast of "Describe the Night" rehearse the show in the Center for the Arts Blackbox Sept.11.
Otos said the theme of truth is particularly relevant in society, and how truth is viewed today.
“In 2025, there is a lot of manipulation of truth,” Otos said. “I'm 54 years old, and during my lifetime, I've watched our society move towards a truth-optional society, and I'm startled, and I imagine other people are too.”
Sindelar said he wants the audience to leave the show thinking about this theme of truth and the dangers of it being manipulated.
“The truth is malleable in some ways,” Sindelar said. “What our show wants to highlight is that if the truth falls into the wrong hands, that malleability and the way in which the truth can be changed can be one of the most weaponized things on this planet.”
Freshman Milo Timpanaro-Throop is understudying the role of Nikolai, who he said begins the show as a soldier in World War I and rises to become Joseph Stalin’s right-hand man during World War II.
Timpanaro-Throop said Nikolai contrasts Sindelar’s character, Isaac, in his view of truth.
“He's very full on transparency, unless it affects Soviet Russia,” Timpanaro-Throop said. “He's a man definitely battling himself and his wants, but he can't, because he wants to please his country.”
Sophomore Carter Sindelar (left) and senior Kelly Gillan rehearse a scene together for "Describe the Night" in the Center for the Arts Sept. 11.
Senior Kelly Gillan plays Yevgenia in the show, who is married to Nikolai. Gillan said her character also has a small love affair with Isaac, Sindelar’s character.
Gillan said the small cast of the show reminds her of the work she did in her early classes as an acting major.
“We're going back to the basics of our acting classes and doing our acting techniques,” Gillan said. “It's really reminding me why I love acting in the first place.”
Gillan said she hopes people come into the show with an open mind, ready to see a show full of human connection, not just history.
“Even if history isn't your best subject, it's still something you'll understand, because you understand personal relationships and love and heartbreak,” Gillan said.
“Describe the Night” will run with evening shows at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3, 4, 6 and 7 and afternoon shows at 2:00 p.m. Oct. 4 and 5 in Roberts Studio Theatre in Scott Studios. Ticket reservations will be available on the Elon Performing Arts website on Sept. 26.