Students sitting against walls and on benches, with their backpacks strewn on the floor. Many read from papers. Others talk aloud to themselves as if memorizing vocabulary and definitions.
But these students aren’t preparing for exams — they’re settled in Mago Hunt, preparing to audition for the UP theater’s upcoming fall productions.
“I think some of that stress [of auditioning] is self-induced, because [students] waited until today to start memorizing what they're doing,” Assistant Professor of Theater Andy Christensen said. “But [...] our goal is to make [the audition process] both really accessible, so that people feel like they can easily audition for the work that's happening [...] and then we also try to model it off of what they can expect in the industry. ”
While auditions for the fall leg of the season have already passed, students can catch the first play of the season, “You Can See All the Stars,” on Oct. 2-6. Student director Ricardo Guevara will also direct “Sanctuary City” as a capstone project, which will run from Oct. 24-26.
The fall season ends with “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind,” running from Nov. 13-17 and Nov. 20-24.
Though the plays differ in tone, the three were chosen to balance each others’ light and dark themes, according to Christensen.
The spring season starts with “The Effect,” running from Feb. 19-23 and ends with “Pride and Prejudice”, showing April 9-13.
Auditions for these two productions will happen on Nov. 25 and Nov. 26 in Mago Hunt.
In addition to the upcoming five performances, a new ticketing policy introduces free student rush tickets for every single performance.
While tickets are not guaranteed, ten minutes before the show is set to start, students are invited to get in line and potentially receive a free ticket. According to Christensen, student rush tickets are available for all students, not just those from UP.
“Our intention this year is to fill the house and have people see our work that we're doing,” Emily Hogan, academic coordinator and the marketing director for performing and fine arts, said.
For all the Pilot thespians, The Beacon has lifted the curtain on UP theater’s 2024 and 2025 season.
“You Can See All the Stars” (Oct. 2-6)
Kicking off the fall season is a staged reading of “You Can See All the Stars” by local playwright E.M. Lewis. During the production, actors will be reading directly from their scripts on a mostly empty stage. The story follows Ana as she tries to piece together what happened to her at a college party.
The department is collaborating with the Wellness Center to establish healthy conversations surrounding interpersonal violence and to ensure the audience has the resources they need.
“We're going to lean into crisis management [through collaborating with the Wellness Center] because [the play] may activate audience members when they see it, if they've had trauma around [the subject matter,]” Director of the Theater Program and inaugural Director for the Center of Gender and Sexuality Gregory Pulver said.
“Sanctuary City” (Oct. 24-26)
The second play is “Sanctuary City” by Martyna Majok, chosen by senior theater and marketing major Guevara for its relevant themes of immigration. The play shows the struggles of G and B, two teens who immigrated to the U.S. as kids, as they try to navigate a post-9/11 America and their friendship with each other.
“I wanted to make sure I talked about the immigrant experience, [...] like this [year] is an election cycle, and immigration is such a thing that's being talked about in the news that I want to make sure that the human aspect of immigration is in the conversation,” Guevara said.
“Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind” (Nov. 13-17 and Nov. 20-24)
Finishing off the fall semester is “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (30 Plays in 60 Minutes)” by Greg Allen. According to Christensen, the play was chosen to balance out the previous show’s heavier themes.
Christensen likens the play to an improv show, where the audience decides how the scenes are ordered by calling out scene numbers as they appear on a clothesline.
As a result, every performance is unique, according to Christensen.
“The Effect” (Feb. 19-23)
“The Effect” by Lucy Prebble is set to start off the second half of the season. The play follows two teens falling in love while participating in a clinical drug trial for dopamine.
With its characters questioning their feelings about each other and their place in the trial, the show leaves audiences questioning their own experiences with love.
“It's kind of a terrifying play in that it asks us if we are more than our brain chemistry,” Christensen said. “We’re going to partner with the neuroscience program and the psych program on that one.”
“Pride and Prejudice” (April 9-13)
Rounding out the lineup is “Pride and Prejudice.” While based on the Jane Austen novel, the work will be uniquely adapted for the stage by its cast and guest director, Jenna Tamimi. The play’s ensemble will create a reimagined version, showcasing a queer and feminist take on the classic, according to Christensen.
“So [“Pride and Prejudice”] is gonna be a very fun process for the students, but also an exciting performance of something that's very familiar to a lot of people,” Christensen said. “But to see a brand new adaptation that is created by this community for this community will be super exciting.”
How to get tickets
In addition to student rush tickets, there are other ways to get discounts online.
The first 50 tickets sold for each show will be priced at $5 using the code “FIRST50”. While the box office price for tickets is $20, audience members can buy their tickets online for half the price with code “PRESALE.” Those who want to secure a seat for every production can buy a season subscription. With a season subscription, patrons can buy four tickets — which would normally retail at $80 — for $30.
Tickets for the upcoming season can be purchased here.
Samantha Zavala is a reporter for The Beacon. She can be reached at zavala27@up.edu.
Camille Kuroiwa-Lewis is the Living Editor for The Beacon. She can be reached at kuroiwal26@up.edu.
