“Marisol,” a new play, will be presented by the NIU School of Theatre and Dance. The play graphically details an urban apocalypse in the Bronx of New York City, so naturally, special effects will be involved.

So just what types of special effects will be on display?

How about setting someone on fire.

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To give people a closer look at the stunt, the theatre department will host a workshop demonstrating how they safely set someone on fire while onstage.

Tracy Nunnally, technical director of the theater department, said the safest way to pull off this stunt is repetition.

“You need to do it and do it and do it until everyone is comfortable with the routine,” Nunnally said.

With the risks involved, Nunnally also stressed that only professionals need apply.

“Specifically, what will happen is the person will be coated with an action fire gel and an accelerant will be added,” Nunnally said.”My biggest concern is someone watching it and trying it at home.”

David Booth, the marketing director of the School of Theatre and Dance, said the special effects workshop shows what it takes to work in the play.

“It is also a good time for people to go and see what [actors] go through to be a part of the play.”

Booth added that the unique situation of the fire will be a good preview for “Marisol.”

The victim of the fire will be Erick Juarez, an acting major. The role he plays is that of a homeless man who is a victim of a hate crime. When Juarez was asked if he has any second thoughts about this stunt he replied, “No, not at all,” because it is for the play.

“You need to tell this story the way it is,” Juarez said. “It needs to be in your face the way it was written.”

The play tells the story of a young Puerto Rican woman named Marisol who comes face to face with her guardian angel. The angel warns Marisol that God is old, dying and senile. The only way to save the world is to wage war and kill him.

The play has a strong message – keep your faith and live life to the fullest.

Many aspects of “Marisol” correspond to the Book of Revelations in the Bible, said Shayla Jarvis, who plays Marisol’s angel.

The set and costumes are exaggerated and somewhat abstracted to suggest the nightmare world in which Marisol lives.

To prepare for the play, the multiracial cast read parts of the Bible, studied pictures of homeless people and angels and listened to spiritual music.

Jose Rivera wrote “Marisol” in 1992, at a time when gritty social realism ruled. Rivera wanted to expand the world by incorporating the supernatural and the unreal, said Jean Randich, the play’s director, and a New York-based freelance director.

“This play would be fascinating for people to see, as we are on the brink of another war,” Randich said.