Abby Derkson/Winonan

A fractal is more than an advanced mathematical term. Fractals are chaotic equations that create never-ending, complex, similar patterns.

Winona State University senior Conlan Carter’s play, “The Fractal Pattern,” explores the complex relationships people have with each other.

“I think when the first audience is here, it’s going to hit me,” Carter said. “Right now I just want to make sure it’s good. It’s a very exciting feeling and very nerve-wracking feeling to have your script performed.”
Carter laughed.

“I’ll be in the audience, and I’ll be sweating a lot, but I’m excited,” he said.

On opening night, Carter hopes the audience will leave with “a couple of moments that live with them for a while.”
In the play, young adults Andrew and Lena’s lives become chaotic after a first date goes awry. Andrew struggles raising his younger sister Keely, a rebellious teenager. Lena struggles accepting that her future, which is changed after she learns she is infertile.

Sean Krage, who plays Andrew, loves the script for its portrayal of relationships.

“When I was reading it for the first time, there was such a visible tension,” Krage said.

Krage prepared for the role by placing himself in the shoes of Andrew, an artist who raises his young sister.
“I had to think about the stress, the idea that family, love life and work all at once…affects you while you try to keep an image,” Krage said.

Emma VanVactor-Lee, who plays Andrew’s sister Keely, finds the characters and their stories are the most compelling.

“I loved Keely,” she said. “I remember being a 17-year-old girl and the conflict of wanting to be grown up and being vulnerable.”

In rehearsal the five-person cast and the crew are working together to perfect the performance. This involves intense scenes that handle big questions on life, loss, grief and anger.

Shelley Gorak, who plays Lena’s cousin Diane, delved into what makes these characters real people.

“There’s a lot of people losing things, and the stress of events that are taking things away from these people. They have to deal with that,” Gorak said.

Learning to deal with loss is a major theme in the play. The relationships between siblings, Andrew and Keely, or lovers, Andrew and Lena, create their own never-ending fractal patterns. The relationships are complex, with the characters trying to make sense of the chaos in their lives.

“This play really shows how important family is to everyone in whatever way it shows up,” VanVactor-Lee said.
Megan Smith, who plays Lena, agreed.

“The idea of family,” she said, “there isn’t really a definition. You kind of create your own.”

Carter was excited for his own family to see the production.

“It’s a play about family, so it’ll be interesting to see what they think,” he said.

Carter has been grateful for the support he has received from numerous people who have helped in developing the script and its production.