The Mary Moody Northen Theatre (MMNT) will begin its 40th anniversary season with “Under Construction” by Charles L. Mee directed by David M. Long. The cast features two equity and eight student actors playing multiple roles.

For its 40th anniversary season the theatre will have a jam-packed line-up with five plays, according to Long.

The play will run from Sept. 27 to Oct. 7. Performances will occur Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 2 p.m. The play is recommended for mature audiences according to the theatre’s website.

“Under Construction” premiered in 2009. The play was part of Mee’s “Lives of the Artist” series. Norman Rockwell, an illustrator and artist popularized in the 1950’s, and Jason Rhoades, a contemporary instillation artist, serve as inspirations for the play, according to Mee’s website. The two inspirations act as a juxtaposition to show the changing thoughts and attitudes about what it means to be an American.

“Under Construction” is non-linear. For example, the play goes from the 1950s to present day and back, in no particular order. Much of Mee’s plays follow this non-linear design, including “bobrauschenbergamerica,” produced at MMNT in 2009. Long explained some of the advantages of working with the non-linear format of “Under Construction.”

“The non-linear collage-like structure of ‘Under Construction’ actively engages the audience and challenges them to form an opinion on the content presented,” Long said.

“The play poses the question of how we define ourselves as Americans through current and historical illuminations of gender, race, and the American family,” Long explained. “The play is beautiful, messy, silly, and thoughtful and, like America, constantly under construction.”

Tyler Mount has been an actor or stage manager in 12 Mary Moody Northen Theatre productions during his 3 years as a theater performance major. He explained some of the challenges the play created for him as an actor.

“Under Construction is very unique as all actors involved in the show never play just one character. As an ensemble we all take on about 12+ roles in the 70-minute show. I play everything from a bell-hop to barber,” Mount said. “It was very important for me to distinguish each character from one another, even if you see me for 10 seconds.”

Despite the challenges posed by the play, Mount said that he was drawn to the play and talked about what kind of experience it has been for him.

“His [Long’s] vigor and passion for producing great theatre always creates a spectacular finished product,” Mount said. “Taking part in a hilarious show with your best friends each night is a blast, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

The play has over 100 costumes that are designed for quick changes. The play is made up of no less than 22 scenes and most of the set can be rolled in and out and re-used for multiple scenes. The theatre’s round stage provided a configuration that fit the production ideally because of the fluidity it allowed, according to Long.

Mount explained what he was looking forward to on opening night.

“All I can say is that a mirror ball and glitter is involved-if I told you any more I’d have to kill you. You will just have to come and see to find out,” Mount said.