He is currently enjoying his senior capstone directing the play "You Can't Take It With You."  Dell claims it's not about getting a scholarship, being cast in a show, or making it to Broadway, but it's a deep need that comes from his heart to rehearse, produce, plan, and audition.  Whether it's for hundreds of spectators or only a few, Dell loves to lead the crowd to a standing ovation.

Dell, a theatre major from Greensburg, has been part of the theatre for the past eight years. He has received many honors for his excellence in the theatre, and is a leader of many organizations on the Westminster campus.

"The best synonym for directing is inspiring' because directing is the whole process of making the theatre.  The theatre is like a spiritual quest or a transformation because from the first read through to the final night we've created something new and had an amazing time doing it," Dell said.

  He has performed at Hempfield Theatre Company, Apple Hill Playhouse, and Westminster College.  He has played a broad range of characters, such as, Jafer from Aladdin, to Big Jule from Guys and Dolls, to Dansford from the Crucible.

 "I've played all types of roles from small to big and all positions from stage crew, to props, to director," he said.  "My freshman year in high school I was cast in a play and have been doing plays year-round ever since."

 This particular play is a comedy about the irresistible, impulsive Sycamores written by the late George Kaufman and Moss Hart.  "The Sycamores have to be seen to be believed," Dell said.  The play is about passions for odd things, such as, ballet in the living room or making fireworks in the basement.  In order for the Westminster cast members to perform their unusual characters, "we must figure out what makes us tick and then we can figure out what makes the character tick," he said.
 
 The Sycamores are a large family of 19 characters.  Only half of these characters are related by blood, but by the end of the play, all of the characters become one big family.

 In the future, Dell plans to apply to graduate school to receive his Master of Fine Arts.  Eventually, he would like to direct a play in New York, continue the cycle of theatre by teaching at a college one day, or maybe getting into films, if the opportunity arose.

 Come and see Dell in action Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in Beeghly Theatre at Westminster College.  For more information, contact Dell at (724) 946-2980 or the Beeghly Box Office at (724) 946-7241.

More Stories