A post-apocalyptic College Station will be the setting for an original comedic play presented by the Theatre program in November.
Auditions for “The Post-America Variety Show” are Sept. 4-5 from 5-7 p.m. in the Black Box Theater in the Liberal Arts and Arts and Humanities Building. All students are welcome to audition and prior experience is not required. The production will be Nov. 20-21 at 7 p.m. at Rudder Theatre.
“Post-America” will be a devised theatre production, with direction by Mike Poblete, Ph.D., instructional assistant professor; and Kat Rothman, a Bryan-based devised theatre artist. Poblete describes the show as “by Aggie students, for Aggie students,” and it will be built from the ground up, without a prewritten script. Students will develop the content through improv, dance and acting techniques.
The framework is a show that takes place after a catastrophic worldwide event in 2055. The performers will reflect on the 2020s in their performances.
The variety show setting allows for flexibility and the potential to showcase a wide range of talents, Poblete said. Students will also be encouraged to explore different opinions and perspectives on global issues during the devising process.
For the auditions, students should come prepared to present one to two minutes that will showcase their talent. Poblete said this can be anything from “song, dance to ear wiggling — it’s all on the table.” Creative exercises will also be included.
Faculty and staff members involved in the production include Everett Perry-Johnson, M.F.A., instructional assistant professor in the Dance program, who will lead the choreography. A student music ensemble will perform during the show, led by Will Connor, Ph.D., senior lecturer in Performance and Visual Studies. Graphic design work by John Boran, M.F.A., instructional assistant professor in Visualization, and his students will be featured.
Joel Zika, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Visualization program, will create visual projections that will be showcased, alongside scenic designs created by Jeff Watson, theatre facility coordinator. Costumes will be designed by Rayna Middleton Dexter, M.F.A., interim academic program director for Theatre and instructional associate professor. The show’s lighting will be designed by Jam Martinez, production manager.
Students will also participate in costume, scenic and lighting design with faculty and staff mentorship.
Poblete said he hopes the show illustrates the theatre as a place for different interests and ideas to merge and then shared with a live audience.
“By setting the show at Texas A&M and letting our students lead the creativity, I want to show the broader university that we are doing work that speaks to the here and now,” he said, “and that all are welcome to join the fun.”
Rehearsals for the show will be Mondays through Thursdays, Sept. 8 through Nov. 20. Tickets for the Nov. 20-21 shows are $5 and will be available through the MSC Box Office.
