The O'Kane Theatre holds more than a stage, lights, and audience seating—it's a site of storytelling, creative reinterpretations of existing dramatic work, and a place in which students and faculty work together to dramatize the human condition while developing as professionals in the arts.
This will be on display on Oct. 29, when the German farce "The Underpants," adapted by Steve Martin in 2002, takes the stage. A comedy, the play explores public mishaps, social conventions, and the things we do to maintain the status quo in our lives.
Alexandra Clemente, a senior double major pursuing degrees in both Fine Arts and Marketing, is serving as assistant director alongside director Luke Fedell, Senior Lecturer of Arts and Communication. The role gives Clemente the opportunity to apply her directing skills in a full production environment. She has also collaborated with student sound designers to select scene-change music that supports the overall tone and atmosphere of the show.
A transfer from Lone Star College, Clemente came to UHD three years ago and has since become an active member of the UHD theatre community, acting in four productions and directing a Student-Directed One-Act last fall.
Beyond her work on the production itself, Clemente has also taken the lead on marketing the production via the O'Kane Theatre's social media accounts. Drawing on her marketing coursework, she creates content to engage with the theatre's audience and promote the upcoming performances.
Clemente's level of involvement demonstrates the unique value proposition of an interdisciplinary education at UHD, combining as it does her fine arts training in directing with her marketing knowledge to contribute meaningfully to multiple aspects of a theatrical production.
She will graduate in December and plans to attend graduate school for theatre beginning in Fall 2027. Her contributions to this production reflect the skills, initiative, and collaborative spirit she will carry into the next stage of her academic and professional journey.
The production (full schedule below) includes a high school matinee performance date on Nov. 4, during which time younger students from across the region can attend and experience not only the joys and catharsis of live performance but also the academic and professional opportunities available to Gators.
The run opens at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, with additional performances through Nov. 7.
General admission tickets are $15, with $10 tickets available for UHD students, faculty, and staff. There is also a $30 Super Donor option for those who would like to make an additional gift to the O'Kane Theatre and UHD's Drama program.