Rehearsals are in full swing for the Theatre program’s original comedic play, “The Post-America Variety Show,” set to debut next month.
Set in College Station after a catastrophic worldwide event in 2055, the devised theatre production features students reflecting on the 2020s through music and dancing in a variety show format. The production will be Nov. 20-21 at 7 p.m. at Rudder Theatre. Tickets are $8; $6 for students through the MSC Box Office.
Mike Poblete, Ph.D., instructional assistant professor; and Kat Rothman, M.F.A., visiting lecturer, are directing the show. In devised theatre, a show is built from the ground up, without a prewritten script. Students are creating content through improv, dance and acting techniques.
“Devising is really about creating your own material,” Poblete said. “Creating your own characters, doing the things that feel right in the moment. We purposely chose a flexible structure to find room for all these different characters and interests in places.”
The cast — which includes students in the Theatre program and from around the university — rehearses four nights a week. In a recent rehearsal, students danced in choreography warmups led by Everett Perry-Johnson, M.F.A., instructional assistant professor in the Dance program.
They also explored wardrobe choices with Rayna Middleton Dexter, M.F.A., the show’s costume designer, who is the academic program director for Theatre and instructional associate professor; with assistance from Tyler Martinka, a junior Theatre student.
Payton Stutts, a freshman Theatre student, said the cast is navigating how this post-apocalyptic world came to be as their characters take shape. She said she is eager to further develop her singing abilities alongside her acting.
“My character is going to sing this jazz-folk-bluesy song,” Stutts said. “We’ve been talking about writing some music, and I might be helping with that. I’m also excited for the costumes because they are going to be amazing.”
Callie Bekker, a junior majoring in both Theatre and Communication, said she enjoys the freedom of being “creative and goofy” in rehearsal.
“When I did traditional theatre, I would play certain roles,” Bekker said. “But in devised theatre, I get to figure it all out, and it’s a really collaborative experience. You’re not trapped in the confines of a script. You feel like more than an actor because you’re a writer, producer and a part of the directing.”
Faculty and staff members in the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts are also involved in the collaborative process. Graphic design work by John Boran, M.F.A., instructional assistant professor in Visualization, will be featured, along with the work of his students.
Joel Zika, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Visualization program, will create visual projections that will be showcased, alongside scenic designs created by Christian Kahl, a senior Theatre student, with direction from Jeff Watson, theatre facility coordinator.
The show’s lighting will be designed by Rochelle Lopez, a sophomore Theatre student; and Lluvia Avina, a senior Performance and Visual Studies student; with mentorship from Dinesh Yadav, Ph.D., section chair for Dance, Music and Theatre Performance, and associate professor. Piano accompaniment for the show will be performed by Nicholas Neumann, a sophomore Aerospace Engineering student.
Poblete said the Theatre program is a place for students to find their niche. He said he was encouraged by the variety of majors among students in the cast, and hopes they walk away with a memorable experience.
“I’m glad we could be there for people that are busier than they want to be and have made time to do theatre,” Poblete said. “Each student surprises me with their creativity and innovation, and how quickly they can turn out some pretty smart material.”
