Let’s face it: it’s barely been two weeks at Swarthmore and you’re probably tired, burnt out and — most importantly – completely unamused. Here’s a guide to some of the drama and improvisation groups on campus that can help lift your spirits, as well as some upcoming events that you may want to take part in. Swarthmore’s theatre scene has something for everybody this year, ranging from serious Shakespearean scenes to sketch comedy productions.
The Yellow Stockings Players
If you’re looking for some more traditional drama, check out the Yellow Stockings Players, a group named after a scene from Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” Only about four years old, the group offers opportunities to participate in or watch, fittingly, all-Shakespeare theater. Traditionally, the Yellow Stockings Players perform twice a year — in the fall, they present their Night of Scenes, a collection of vignettes from different plays. The Night of Scenes affords the cast an opportunity to try their hands at acting without an extreme time commitment early in the year, and is a great chance to get involved in the group’s initial efforts. But in the spring, the Yellow Stockings Players gear up for a bigger play.
“Macbeth last spring was a really big production,” director Patrick Ross ’15 explained. “We staged it in the Lang Performing Arts Centre for the first time and the show was pretty tech-heavy. We went all out, and we’d really like that to continue as a tradition this year.”
This semester, stay tuned for the Night of Scenes. The Yellow Stockings Players are also looking for directors and are open to accepting first-years.
Boy Meets Tractor
Swarthmore’s only sketch comedy group, Boy Meets Tractor was first founded in 2000 and has been producing live sketches as well as videos ever since. The group begins its bi-weekly writing process with improvisation exercises that become vignettes and short sketches. While the cast has always performed sketch comedy, BMT is seeing some changes this year, particularly with steadily improving video quality.
“This year, we’re also looking to do some more smaller events, maybe at Paces or at DiscoSwat even,” group member Gail Engmann ’14 said. “We’re also holding auditions shortly and encourage everyone to try out. Everyone thinks they’re not funny, but that’s just not true.”
Boy Meets Tractor sketches as well as recordings of select sketches are available on Youtube.
Vertigo-go
Vertigo-go will celebrate its 25th reunion next year, and is dedicated to entertaining audiences with non-offensive comedy improvisation. The group, which meets twice a week, practices by shuffling through improvisation games and exercises to improve their skills. The troupe usually lines up a series of games before shows, and the rest is on the spot ad-libbing.
“I like how the group feels like a community – I feel like laughter really opens people up and allows us to bond, not just with each other, but with the audience too,” troupe member Michaela Schuman ’16 said.
“Improvisation was something I’d never done before, but it’s almost like playing make believe, it’s really fun,” she continued. “A big part of comedy improv is saying yes to every possibility that comes your way and [learning] to accept anything, and I feel like that’s something that I’ve definitely brought into my life as well.”
Vertigo-go has already staged their first show of the semester, and is looking to expand the troupe.
The American Masturbatory Theatre Company
What sounds like a provocatively named sex group is really Swarthmore’s experimental theatre troupe, only recently founded last semester. Founder Sam Shuker- Haines ’14 cleared up the confusion by explaining, “We don’t masturbate – it’s called the American Masturbatory Theatre Company because it exists for the purpose of creating pleasure, with no object beyond that.”
The American Masturbatory Theatre Company explores the concept of intimacy, both within the group and between audience members. Experimental exercises help foster this relationship, and are usually unplanned. As such, performers are not auditioned, and the group is open to both seasoned actors as well as amateurs.
“I liked being a part of the group because it gave me the ability to create art and experiences,” participant Doriana Thornton ’16 said. “It definitely made me feel validated, like my ideas were worth exploring.”
This semester, Shuker-Haines plans to begin a long, experimental audience-focused project to “create a space where time slows down and dilates, where we can get away from all the stress and tension.”
AMTC meets once a week as a closed group, when the cast rehearses, and additionally hosts open practices twice a week to rehearse audience-focused pieces.
Drama Board
Swarthmore’s Drama Board is more of a committee than a troupe, and is responsible for funding and coordinating student run theatre efforts on campus. Students typically submit proposals or ideas to the Drama Board, and are then guided through production by members.
Traditionally, the Drama Board also stages a mainstage production every year in LPAC’s Pearson-Hall Theatre, and hosts smaller shows around campus too. You can get involved with Drama Board as a director, an actor or a designer. Important dates and audition policies can be found on their website.
