Scott Bressler
With so many ways to get involved in theatre on campus, freshmen have many opportunities to participate. In addition to the Performing Arts Department’s annual performances, there are also many student-run dramatic groups that everyone is welcome to audition for.
For example, consider three of Washington University’s phenomenal improv groups: Suspicious of Whistlers, Mama’s Pot Roast and KARL. Each of these groups focuses on comedy and improvisation and put on performances for the campus community.
Suspicious of Whistlers is the only long-form comedy group on campus, performing an improvised play of 30 minutes from an audience suggestion. This group performs in national festivals all over the country and recently hosted an improv festival on campus. Members of this group meet three times a week for two hours. If you’re worried about the time commitment, think about this: members enjoy what they’re doing so it just seems like a good time to them.
“During improv, you’re not really thinking,” said the group’s leader, Rick Andrews.
Suspicious of Whistlers does three or four big shows per semester and some smaller ones for Ursa’s, Alumni or even the University’s Board of Trustees. Suspicious of Whistlers also plans to perform at the Touhill Center at the University of Missouri-Saint Louis and Kirkwood High School this year. They are looking into attending a festival in Chicago, as well.
Mama’s Pot Roast is a short-form and sketch comedy group that meets for about five hours per week and has one big show, “Knighta Comedy,” as well as several smaller shows and Dinner Theatre. Group leader Julia Martin believes that Mama’s Pot Roast is a good group for people who just want to have a good time and meet people on campus.
KARL also performs short-form and sketch comedy; group leader Ben Walsh says the group is still forming its identity and personality. Therefore, by joining this group freshmen can help to mold and shape it. Walsh also believes that KARL is “less mainstream” than the other two improv groups on campus and that they have the “kookiest” characters, as well. The attitude of the group is much more laid-back with only two 2-hour practices per week. The group is also willing to work around people’s schedules.
Anyone who is planning on joining an improv group while also performing in PAD productions does not need to worry about conflicts because each group claims it’s sympathetic to its performers’ other theatre obligations.
Mama’s Pot Roast is especially understanding as most of its performers perform in PAD productions and musical groups, as well. This group actually builds its schedule around its members’ PAD productions. As the leaders say, it’s manageable but takes some planning and time management. So, if any freshmen are interested in doing both, they should go for it but be willing to plan ahead.
Anyone wishing to audition for an improv group should attend auditions on September 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Mudd Multipurpose Room. By attending this audition, potential members try out for all three groups. The audition consists of playing improv games with other prospective performers as well as current members.
Andrews, of Suspicious of Whistlers, suggests that if freshmen have any interest at all, they should audition because they really have nothing to lose.
“Just come and play,” he said.
All three groups are looking for energetic, intelligent people who are good actors. Leaders also cited personality and how well a person meshes with the group as important factors.
Experience is not necessary; Martin, Walsh and Andrews agree that improv is a very natural skill that someone can be good at without experience. One or more groups may invite freshmen to callbacks, during which more focus is put on the personality side of the audition. When they’re done with the audition process, students can specify which group they would like to be a part of and hopefully that group wants them back. Those who join KARL will learn what this mysterious acronym stands for.
One of the other many student-run theatre opportunities on campus is All Student Theatre (AST), in which students direct, act and build sets. This group puts on one big show every spring at Beaumont Pavilion in the Quad. Past shows include Manhattan Theatre’s “Alice in Wonderland” (2007), “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” and “Cabaret.”
The group puts on either plays or musicals, but is always looking for something on a big scale with a large cast. Freshmen are more likely to land leading roles in an AST production than in a PAD one and can expect to impress the theatre department and acting faculty.
As group secretary and senior Lisa Sullivan advises that AST is a good way to get a “foot in the door” in the University theatre community. AST is less pressure than PAD and is much easier to get involved in its productions, especially as a freshmen. Sullivan believes that the group is more fun-oriented than PAD and is a “good way to find a community at Wash. U.”
It is hard to be involved in both PAD and AST, but it can be done. Many of the group’s performers are also involved in improv groups on campus. In order to stay informed about this opportunity, those interested should sign up at the activities fair and expect e-mails later. The play and director will be determined later in the fall and auditions will be announced in early Spring. A prepared monologue of less than five minutes is required for auditions; if you do not have one of your own, though, one will be provided for you. Callbacks will follow, and the production will be cast. Rehearsals are four or five times per week with many more during tech week. Experience is not necessary and many non-theatre majors participate. It is open to anyone who wishes to audition.
Another student theatre group is Thyrus, which puts on many experimental plays in innovative locations, such as dorm rooms. This group is also involved in the “Day of Shame,” which takes place in early fall. Part of this event is the 24-hour theatre program, in which five or six writers draw names from a group of 20 actors and receive a first line. They must write a play with this first line, find props and costumes, stage it and direct it, using the actors they have been assigned, all within 24 hours.
Sullivan reported that her participation in this group was probably the “most fun I’ve ever had on stage”.
At Wash. U. it’s pretty easy to get involved in theatre even if you don’t think you want to participate in a PAD production. More importantly it’s easy to get involved in all types of theatre. With improv groups, All Student Theatre, Thyrus and more, there’s something for every type of performer.
Nor is acting the only way students can participate; backstage crew, directors, set and lighting designers and sound technicians are all needed and encouraged to get involved. Anyone who’s interested should get out there and discover their niche in the Wash. U. theatre community.