Theatre, a risk....who knew!

Hello, readers! This week, we here at Improv Playhouse would like to welcome our new intern, Jordan! Check out his first blog post.

Every day I wake up and I have a different thought. Yesterday I thought about what I was going to eat, today about not finishing my homework, and tomorrow it will most likely be about not wanting to get up! Now I am sure that whoever is taking the time to read this is saying, “Well, hey! I’ve had the same thoughts!” And I would have to say, “I’m sure you have.” This is what makes us so unique as the people we’ve become and the people we want to become: aspiring theatre geeks.

Today, Joe Schmo, who lives next door to you, woke up and said, “I’m going to put on my tie, drive to work, take two aspirins, go to lunch, kiss up to the boss, leave at five, come home, eat, watch Law & Order: SVU, then go to bed.” Now this is a daily routine for Joe and his life never changes. That is why Joe makes five figures a year and we only make four. Now don’t get discouraged. That is just how theatre is, a risk; and now let’s divide even theater from improv.

Improv Playhouse prides itself on who they are in the world today with astonishing actors and many years of experience. But what really sets IP apart from the rest of the world? I’d have to say improvisation. Improv builds the best fundamentals for an actor while remaining the most unstructured form of art out there. Structure is something a theatre person has probably never heard of, but it can be good when it comes to keeping organized (and don’t forget obeying the laws). Without structure, you’re actually preparing yourself for any situation life can throw at you. Every day people lose their job, people divorce, cars gets towed, or you are broke and won’t get paid for another two weeks!

The ironic thing about it all is that everything is a risk. Daring to be different is a risk, as director Lloyd Richards once said. “Some risks cost more than others, and I guess those are the ones that you recognize as risks. But all of life is a risk. You try and achieve whatever you as an individual human being can achieve. To make that attempt is a risk. I guess I never decided to take risks with my life, I just had no choice. You take risks, whether they be small ones or whether they be large ones.” So, as I wrap up my first blog entry ever, I hope I have left you with a little something to think about: Life is a risk. Many people don’t ever want to touch on the subject of theatre being a risk, but inevitably you will risk it all in the end. And if you really want to pursue your dream, don’t stop. I am learning now to never give up because "All the world's a stage; all the men and women are merely players."

-Jordan

What Do Theatre Majors Do?

Many of my students have expressed interest to me in becoming a professional actor someday, and furthering their theatre education by majoring in theatre when they reach college age. However, very few of them seem to really understand what that entails. In fact, I didn’t really myself until my parents and I started researching different schools. Below, you’ll find my account of what being a theatre major at Butler University is like. I hope this will help to demystify the world of higher theatre education.

To get into a theatre program, most colleges and universities require you to audition. You will perform one of two memorized monologues, depending on the school, and most likely interview with several professors, attend a theatre class or workshop, and meet with students already in the theatre program.

Once accepted, you will devote a great deal of time to performing in addition to your course load, which means that being a theatre major is very time consuming. You will probably be required to audition for a few mainstage shows per year, which are produced by the university and your professors. If you don’t make these productions—even if you do—you will most likely be required to do some sort of crew to help with the show. Crew hours can actually be very fun in addition to being extremely educational.

As first and second year theatre majors, younger students who don’t make mainstages often build up experience and establish reputations as good performers in student shows. These shows are directed and designed by students, but since your professors will almost always attend the performances of these shows, they’re a great way to get your face out there. They’re also a wonderful way to make friends.

If your school is by a big city, like Butler is, than you may also have to opportunity to audition at professional theatres, and begin your career as an actor while you are still in school. In addition, many students intern in fields such as stage management, artistic design, and dramaturgy.

When you aren’t working crew or rehearsing, you will be doing homework and preparing for classes. Most schools have academic requirements for all their students, including theatre majors, but you will also attend theatre classes. Courses include classes like Acting, Voice for the Actor (a study in elocution and projection), and Stage Movement (a practical study of how the actor can employ their body in their work), but also ones that focus on design elements like Costume Design, Lighting Design, and Production Fundamentals. While most theatre classes involve practical, hands-on work, students may find themselves behind desks, involved in classroom discussions with professors and fellow theatre majors in courses like the History of Theatre and the Idea of Theatre.

All in all, being a theatre major is hard work, but it is also incredibly rewarding. You become a part of a community of peers and make friends you will have for the rest of your life. Professors have so much to offer and serve as mentors who will shape the kind of actor and person you become. Don’t worry—if for some reason, you decide not to major in theatre, most schools allow non-majors to audition for many, if not all, shows. If you want to do theatre, you can always find a way!

Note: Musical theatre majors would have a different audition process and course load that of course includes singing and dancing lessons.

Guest blogger Shannon Campe is imProv Playhouse’s Resident Dramaturge. She has worked as both a teacher and an actress during her ten years at iP, where credits include The Glass Menagerie (Amanda), Blithe Spirit (Elvira), and Alice in Wonderland (Alice.) She is currently studying Theatre and Creative Writing at Butler University in Indianapolis.

Production Tips: Costuming Magic

Most Improv Playhouse shows don’t employ a costume designer, which means that directors, student actors, and parents have to work together to make costumes for the shows. The results can only be described as incredible! Below you will find a list of some of my favorite shows, both from the show I’ve had the honor of costuming (Into the Woods, Beauty and the Beast, Grease, and High School Musical) and the ones I’ve seen and participated in. Read on, and you may just find the inspiration for you next Halloween costume!

1. Alice in Wonderland: The Caterpillar. The actress playing the caterpillar wore a giant green sleeping bag! The effect was remarkable.
2. Into the Woods: Chippy. The little girl playing the mouse wore an oversized sweatshirt with the hood up. I attached giant mouse ears and long tail to the hoodie…she looked too cute!
3. The Dwarves Beards: The Dwarves. iP teacher extraordinaire Lindsay Fussell created bears with faux fur elastic and Velcro that could be “cut” and “regrown” onstage. They made telling the hilarious story possible!
4. Rumplestiltskin: The King. Have you ever seen a king in footie pajamas? I have, thanks to a young actor’s great idea for a hilarious surprise entrance.
5. Beauty and the Beast: Enchanted Objects. With just some cardboard, fabric, and paint, my co-workers Alex Buda, Lindsay Fussell, and I created costumes for Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, Chip, and Madame de la Grande Bouche. Our fantastic young actors even managed to dance in the enormous cardboard creations…now that’s talent!
6. Beauty and the Beast: Gaston. We created muscles for our young Gaston by stuffing old pantyhose with cotton batting and putting them up his sleeves. He looked very manly!
7. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Violet Beauregard. A giant, blue, blow-up suit was procured. Need I say more?

Guest blogger Shannon Campe is imProv Playhouse’s Resident Dramaturge. She has worked as both a teacher and an actress during her ten years at iP, where credits include The Glass Menagerie (Amanda), Blithe Spirit (Elvira), and Alice in Wonderland (Alice.) She is currently studying Theatre and Creative Writing at Butler University in Indianapolis.

You're a. . . What?

When we are young, most student actors are involved in all parts of the process: the same director or teacher may block us in scenes, teach us our songs, help us pull together costumes, and show us how to paint the set. Although we hopefully realize that the backstage elements are important in creating our show, we think of all theatre people as falling into two very general categories: those who work onstage, and those who work backstage.

The amazing thing about theatre is that there are so many jobs available to creative people. I didn’t even realize until I got older and started studying theatre at a college level how many careers are available in the world of theatre.

A good example of one of these jobs, which bridges the world between “onstage” and “backstage”, is a dramaturge. Those of you who read my last blog entry or recent Improv Playhouse flyers may have noticed that I’m billed as our dramaturge. It’s such an unusual and funny-sounding word, and not very many people know what it means.

Most professional theatres have a resident dramaturge who works at the company full-time. A dramaturge researches each play the theatre produces, and works closely with the director and the designers to help create the world of the play, using historical and cultural context. The dramaturge also gives the actors notes to help inform their performances. In many cases, the dramaturge also writes program notes to help audiences understand everything they see onstage. They may also create educational material for the benefit of young audiences and their teachers.

Remember, if you want to work in the theatre, it is absolutely possible! It takes many people to put a show together. Who knows…the job you have someday may be one you haven’t even heard of yet!

Guest blogger Shannon Campe is Improv Playhouse’s Resident Dramaturge. She has worked as both a teacher and an actress during her ten years at iP, where credits include The Glass Menagerie (Amanda), Blithe Spirit (Elvira), and Alice in Wonderland (Alice.) She is currently studying Theatre and Creative Writing at Butler University in Indianapolis.