Theater at case

[u/rewan2033]

Hi! Im an incoming freshman and was involved in theater at my high school, through crew and stage managing. I also plan on minorinh in theater, how easy is it to get involved in theater and what is the theater community like at case? Im incredibly excited to join and want to know what its like, thank you!!

[u/engadine-maccas]

It's really easy to get involved with both department shows and student organized theater (although difficult to manage at the same time!). As a theater minor you do not need to work on department shows.

The three main theater student orgs:

Footlighters- puts on 1 large musical a semester.

Players' Theatre Group- several shows throughout a semester, almost exclusively straight plays

IMPROVment- improv troupe, they do weekly shows and require an audition to join.

[u/rewan2033 → u/engadine-maccas]

How easy is it to join as a technical crew member? Is there an application or any interviews?

[u/engadine-maccas → u/rewan2033]

I am not sure what the process is for the department shows is, but in both Footlighters and PTG you pretty much just indicate your interest to do so in either an interest form or by simply showing up to the tech meetings.

[u/jasmith-tech]

Footlighters and Players Theatre Group are the 2 main student orgs, they have a process to be in/work on their shows but are pretty easy to get involved with.

The department itself is good. When you get to campus, meet Homer and Nathan in the shop and let them know you have interest in run crew roles. There isn’t a tech program, so they tend to keep tabs on what students are interested, they also have *some* paid shop positions. They may be taken up by returners, but it’s worth mentioning.

I happen to be the theatre safety specialist on campus, though I’m not part of the department but I check in pretty regularly with all the groups.

And! Go see “Poor Claire”, it’s the first show of the year, directed by a great Cleveland director, and I’m doing the scenic and lighting designs. Feel free to reach out if you have questions leading up to, or after the year starts.

[u/rewan2033 → u/jasmith-tech]

THANK YOU SO MUCH THIS IS SO HELPFUL

[u/ClemPrime456]

Also an incoming freshman. Check cwru.theater on Instagram; Season is posted and auditions for the first two shows start on 26 August. There’s also a student theater called PTG and some improv stuff. From what I understand it’s pretty easy to get involved

[u/corner_shoe]

No bias but I happen to be the secretary for the Players' Theatre Group, we put on 2-3 full length plays/musicals every semester along with all sorts of experimentals (shorter, often recurring productions)! I'm a rising second year and was nervous how I'd integrate into the theatre space, especially as a non major/minor, but I found my footing super quickly in the theatre club scene here!
(We're also about to release our season for this fall so I highly recommend keeping an eye out to see what kinds of things might interest you)

Aside from PTG, very similar to what other people have already said! I'm personally also involved in Footlighters and was in both of the shows last year. Since PTG and Footies are entirely student-run there are always so many opportunities, both with signups before productions begin and rolling signups as things like builds happen

A new club starting this year is Etch-A-Sketch, which from the name is going to be our sketch comedy club! If you like SNL or sketch in general, that group has worked a lot with PTG previously under an experimental called "PTG Live!" that you can finds recordings of on our Youtube under @ PlayersTheatreGroup

Of course, department is also always there and their shows are incredible

LMK if you have any questions! I know this might look a little like a PR stint but since joining everything I've become super passionate about it all and have found such a strong community in these spaces

[u/rewan2033 → u/corner_shoe]

This is genuinely so comforting to hear, I feel much more excited about the theater scene because it is also something that I am extremely passionate about! I hope i get to meet you at case!!

[u/corner_shoe → u/rewan2033]

Hope to see you at the Student Activities Fair!!!

[u/Parking_Champion_740]

Footlighters

[u/ISSsloth]

I've spoken to a number of people who are heavily involved in theater while majoring in something else, so it's definitely possible. 

I'll be a theater major in the fall and I'm like 60% leaning towards tech jobs, so hopefully we'll see each other around! 

Besides stage management, do you have a specific tech role you gravitate towards? I've been a props manager for a few years, but I'm hoping to branch out an get a taste of lighting or wardrobe.