The Winthrop Theatre and Dance Department continues their 2018–2019 season with “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead,” an unauthorized parody of the classic “Peanuts” characters. The show follows these characters into high school, showing a very raw depiction of the struggles faced by students in the present day. Caleb Moody is one of the show’s stars, playing the role of Matt.
“Matt is the exact opposite of me. I am a very caring, empathetic gay man and Matt is a very violent, apathetic homophobic man,” Moody said. “He is the antithesis of everything I am as a person. I really like the challenge.”
Moody hopes that, despite the extreme themes held within this play, the production will be a wake up call to those who are bullies and offer a sense of hope to those who are bullied.
In his time at Winthrop, Moody has been a part of three mainstage productions and two black box productions, as well as doing tech for some of the one act plays. Moody’s interest in theatre began before Winthrop, and his passion for the roles he plays is evident in the way he talks about becoming one with the character.
“Yes, you do have a responsibility to invite the audience into the show, but really you are in the world of the play,” Moody said. “So, I have to go beyond my nervousness of being viewed and be in the moment and I can’t feel anything other than the moment. That’s how I get through it, the character, because it’s not me anymore, it’s Matt.”
Within the theatre community at Winthrop, Moody has always felt a sense of family. He even states that he finds his biggest inspiration within these peers.
“It sounds kind of cheesy, but I always love seeing the people around me grow, and it always excites me to do my best whenever I see someone do wonderful art,” Moody said.
Shane O’Reilly is a fellow castmate, playing the role of Beethoven in “Dog Sees God.” He has worked with Moody on many shows and always sees the “really fun and happy attitude” he brings to everything.
“He puts his heart into every part. Even if he doesn’t quite get the part itself, he puts his heart into it, and he always connects really well with everybody in the cast and crew,” O’Reilly said.
Moody has passion, not only for acting, but for what theatre brings into the world. With “Dog Sees God,” Moody is aware that people can be stuck just on the darker themes within the play, but he hopes they will look past that.
“There is a lot of violence. There are these teenagers using drugs and other substances to try and escape the depressing reality of their world. But, I think it’s also important to focus on the victories and realizing that there is somewhere to go,” Moody said. “There’s a catharsis in learning that it’s okay to be who you are. You’re faced with the queer struggle in public high schools, but it is good to know that it does get better.”
See Moody take on the antithesis of himself with the struggles of a now–grown Peanuts gallery. “Dog Sees God” opens Wednesday, Oct. 3 and will be running through Sunday, Oct. 7 in Johnson Hall.
