Theater Jam: 24 hours of coffee and creation
Torch News
“There’s a lot of people who don’t have experience doing many of the aspects of theater,” [said Merritt], another mind behind the madness, “so we’re giving them a very low-stakes outlet where they can try directing, or acting, or writing.”
UMass Dartmouth celebrates 25 years of Rocky Horror
Torch News
“I went to The Rocky Horror Picture Show but a boy, and I left a married woman, with my cherry freshly popped and lipstick smeared across my face.”
2017 UMass Dartmouth Drag Show goes off with a bang
Torch News
“UMass Dartmouth has been celebrating drag culture in the most flamboyant way possible, by putting on drag shows every year since 2012.
The performances hosted by UMass Dartmouth have their own flavor; the performers are all either alumni or current students at the university, who go out and put on a show for their fellow classmates.
Their identities will remain a secret, but most of the drag queens that performed this year were actually RAs in disguise.”
Mad alien scientist, golden underwear, and the Time Warp at university
Dartmouth Week
“[Merritt]… sat at a makeshift make-up booth as she finished getting into character. The senior took on the starring role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, the mad scientist from an alien planet. She repeatedly watched the film in addition to her regular rehearsals to prepare for her role.
“It’s fun to do my dance at the end,” Barthe said, referring to the final dance of the night, which takes place on the stage floor and invites audience members to dance.
TCo’s Pride and Prejudice brings new life to play
Torch News
“Merritt Barthe was the perfect Mr. Darcy that I, for one, never knew the world so desperately needed.
[…]
Merritt Barthe … who played the much beloved (I’m sure to the character’s chagrin) Mr. Darcy, was in their first lead role. “It was really a challenge [being in my first lead role], but also really exciting for me.
[…]
Additionally, it should be noted that the writer took a while to ask Barthe any questions because she was too distracted by their absolute mastery of the strong brows and waistcoat look they were rocking. “
New Groups to Watch on the Local Theater Scene
Motif Magazine
“These ‘friendly neighborhood theater kids’ known for their Rocky Horror Picture Show casts are on forced hiatus from their digs at Patriot Cinema; you need to keep an eye out for their next event. Yes. … I have high hopes for future events from these fertile minds.”
Theatre companies hard at work with Variety Show and not-so-straight play
Torch Newspaper
“[Merritt] had the idea for a minimalist approach to Shakespeare’s classic Romeo and Juliet, but with Juliet played by first time actor Eric Sousa. So, rather than the tradional Romeo and Juliet, all are welcome to see 20Cent’s production of Romeo and Julius!
The show puts the gay relationship at the forefront of this production, and follows the idea that Julius is to be married into a straight, ‘normal” relationship, with his entire family being apathetic to his concerns, save for the nurse.
20 Cent Fiction rocks Rocky Horror
Torch Newspaper
“[Merritt] … led the way as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, and I dare say she won the hearts of everyone in the audience.
Through the entire show she never missed a beat or a step, and it looked as if she had played the role in 1,000 productions before this one. This is Barthe’s first lead role in a theatre production.”