Ryan ChartrandThe debut performance of Cal Poly’s newest theater organization, The Students’ Stage, will take place in the Black Box Theatre at 11:10 a.m. today.
The program, a result of “idealistic greenroom talk,” allows students the opportunity to produce and direct student-written work year round.
Prior to the group’s inception, “there really weren’t any student outlets except for the student one-acts,” theatre junior Christina Venezia said.
According to theatre junior Melanie Marshall, The Student’s Stage is a collaborative way of “learning everything about theater.” Students wishing to direct a show must also serve on the organization’s board and dedicate themselves to working in production, marketing and all other aspects of shows presented that year.
The inaugural performance will consist of two, five-minute scenes written by students in last quarter’s playwriting class.
“We know it’s short,” Marshall said of the group’s debut, “but we know you have to start small. We’re hoping for a really long future.”
The first scene, “Apologies are Painful,” written by Kelsi Copeland and directed by Marshall, tells the story of roommates Maggie and Barbara. Maggie comes to Barbara in the middle of the night, frightened and disgusted, asking for help with a dislocated shoulder. After several failed attempts to pop the arm back in, the truth about why it is dislocated in the first place comes to the surface.
“To Rain or Not to Reign,” written by James Gibbs and directed by Venezia, gives the audience a glimpse at the inner workings of the mind of a god.
In the scene, “Zeus, frustrated with the human population, contemplates destroying the planet by flooding it. The Devil arrives to present three reasons why Zeus should refrain from doing so. During his explanations, the Angel appears and begins to give his three reasons why Zeus should flood the planet and kill all humans. Zeus is eventually forced to make a decision,” Venezia said via e-mail.
Ultimately, The Students’ Stage would like to present three productions: two for each fall and winter quarters, and one during spring quarter.
The goal of this initial performance, according to Marshall, is to generate excitement about the program among students from all majors.
“Anyone who has a passion for theater should be able to do it,” she said.
The premiere is free to all wishing to attend.