In his most recent original work, Professor Nic Ularu combined acting, dance, puppetry and connections.
“Fusions” is a work in progress that uses humor to break down the trend of human isolation caused by technology and examines the relationship between body, imagination and the influence of media on daily life.
“The technology and the media, the bombardment of information and our addictions to smartphones and Internet (have) transformed us in nerds who lose more and more the ability to communicate outside social media, emails and messaging,” Ularu said in an email.
Ularu recently traveled to Cardiff, Wales, to present his work at the World Stage Design conference, which he has been involved in since its founding as an alternative to the Prague Quadrennial International Exhibition.
In 2005, he was appointed by the U.S. Institute for Theatre Technology to co-design the international exhibition and to create the poster for the first conference, which was held in Toronto. Ularu was invited to hold a workshop at the second conference in Seoul, South Korea, in 2009.
Ularu took a unique approach to his newest work, which was produced by Uniart Theatre Company and presented at Cardiff’s Richard Burton Theatre.
“‘Fusions’ started as a classroom project that had multiple versions until the final draft,” Ularu said. “I started the creation of it from the visuals to the text; usually, one starts with the text and gets to the visuals.”
Creating and directing “Fusions” did not happen without difficulties, though. Among the problems was the fact that Ularu’s choreographer and puppeteer lived in New York, so they could only work together in Columbia for final rehearsals in the last few days before the performances.
“It was very difficult to renounce the set elements that were supposed to create a sophisticated installation that was supposed to be transported overseas,” Ularu said. “Getting the financial support is always a problem; even if my work represents the university nationally and internationally, it is always difficult to get the money to realize it.”
Despite some challenges along the way, participating in the conference was an enjoyable and rewarding experience, Ularu said. One lesson that he took away from the conference was that modern spectators should be more interactive during this type of performance.
“The enjoyable parts were to work with my students and actors and to create together something to be proud of,” Ularu said. “And, of course, to have a warm audience, as we had in Cardiff.”
Although the 2013 conference has ended, Ularu has further aspirations for “Fusions.” He intends to restructure the show so that it can become an off-Broadway production at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in New York in 2015.
In addition to his personal success, Ularu has helped the Department of Theatre and Dance grow as a whole. Ularu moved from Smith College in Massachusetts to join the USC faculty in January 2001, because the university was looking to strengthen its master’s design program.
During his tenure, the program has become one of the 14 best programs in the country.
This semester, Ularu is taking sabbatical at a theater school in New Zealand. He received a Fulbright grant and was invited to host workshops and conduct a project at the National Theatre School.
For students who have aspirations in design and theater, Ularu has some advice.
“Never give up,” he said. “Theater is a wonderful profession, but very demanding. If you are really serious about it, do every work related to the theater, from acting to carpentry and painting. Sooner or later, it will pay off.”