“The Shape of Things” Coming to Ferrell Studios in December

Ferrell Studios is thrilled to announce its upcoming production of Neil LaBute’s provocative drama The Shape of Things, scheduled to run December 13-15 at the mignolo Arts Center in Metuchen, NJ. Known for its raw exploration of relationships, identity, and manipulation, this contemporary play promises to challenge our perception of love, connection, and identity.

About the Play

The seemingly mundane piece follows the lives of 4 students at a conservative college, essentially in the middle of nowhere. This piece cleverly gets us to see the beauty in the mundane, the faults in our humanity, and the art of deception. It forces us as an audience to decide: What constitutes as art? What are we willing to do for love? How far is too far? Through his engaging and combative writing, Labute lets us ponder the limits for ourselves in our lives by watching these 4 characters onstage in theirs. There is no breaking of the fourth wall, because the audience lives within the walls. Sometimes darkly funny and always gripping, The Shape of Things is a fascinating character study into the nature of love and art, and what happens when the two collide.

Meet the Cast

Max Miller (Adam)

Max Miller is thrilled to be a part of The Shape of Things! He has previously performed at Ferrell Studios in the virtual production of Sour Cherries as Freddy, and is a recent graduate of Rutgers University and the William Esper Studio. He would like to thank the cast, crew, and his family for all the wonderful support.

Catherine Hunt (Evelyn)

Catherine is delighted to be a part of The Shape of Things. Recent credits include The Original Playwrights Festival and Spring Special Project (Cabaret Theater).

Breanna Schad (Jenny)

Breanna is so excited to play the role of Jenny in this production of The Shape of Things! Her most recent role was in the ensemble for Twelfth Night at Villagers Theatre! In her free time, she loves cooking new foods and hosting brunch/dinner parties, failing at pickleball with her friends, rating Met Gala outfits, and playing games like Jackbox, and daily crosswords. First shoutout is to her lovely fiance Tommy, whom always supports her, and who she loves watching shows with, and constantly talking about their 2 cats Buster and Fabio. Last but not least, huge shoutout to the directing and production teams for all your hard work on this production of The Shape of Things! We couldn't have done it without y'all, you all are so appreciated!

Steven Franklin (Phillip)

Franklin is a recent graduate of Mason Gross School of the Arts. He currently teaches middle/highschool music in Hawthorne NJ and performs all over the east coast every week. He was seen on stage as Berger in LTC's HAIR but has been heard backstage in the pit ensembles for various other Rutgers productions including Little Shop of Horrors, Spring Awakening, Tick Tick... Boom, A New Brain, and Pippin. He continues to be thankful for the constant support of his family and friends.

About the Creative Team

Uchenna Agbu (Director)

Uchenna is a writer and director from Willingboro, NJ. She currently works as a freelance director and arts administrator throughout New Jersey and New York City. She is currently working on the management team for the Broadway Revival of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. This past May, she graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s in theater arts and minors in creative writing and human resource management. Directing credits include: Stephen Sondheim’s Company, The Last Five Years, The Niceties, Twelfth Night, and tick, tick…BOOM! @the682exhibition

Luke Ferrell (Producer)

Luke is a New Jersey-based Stage Director and Teaching Artist and the proud Owner and Artistic Director of Ferrell Studios! Some credits include Puffs (Director), Songs for a New World (Director), The Last Five Years (Director), Into the Woods (Music Director), Alice in Wonderland (Co-Director), Ideation (Co-Director), Spring Awakening (Music Director), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Director), Sweet Charity (Director). He is a Teaching Artist with Fresh Theatre Arts, where he is the Fall Drama Director and Spring Musical Technical Director for Highland Park High School. He is also the Technical Director at Henry Hudson Regional School and an Acting Instructor for the Middletown Arts Center, NJ Teen Arts, and the West Windsor Arts Council. He is thrilled to see this production take the stage to open Ferrell Studios's incredible 2024-25 season!

Anne Gambourg (Stage Manager)

Anne Gambourg is excited to be a part of her first Ferrell Studios Production. She recently received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and is currently studying for her Master's in School Counseling at Rutgers. She was the Managing Director of The Livingston Theatre Company for the 2023-2024 season. Her credits include Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (Stage Manager), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Assistant Director), Hair (Stage Manager), Pippin (Stage Manager).

Nia Abdullah (Stage Manager)

Nia Abdullah (she/her) is an actress, lighting designer, and theater educator based in Central Jersey. She works in the Education Department at New York Theatre Workshop as the Education and Engagement fellow. Her recent credits include lighting designer for the Black Box Series at Playhouse 22 and an ensemble member in Miracle at mignolo at Ferrell Studios.

Don't Miss Out!

The Shape of Things will be performed at mignolo Arts Center from December 13-15. With limited seating available, be sure to reserve your tickets early. Tickets can be purchased at our.show/theshapeofthings.