By Katie Tabeling
Elm Staff Writer
“Ay Curramaba, the I-House has been murdered!”
And with those words, the audience is launched into an acting experience that is unforgettable- a murder plot of ridiculous Washington College dorm stereotypes brings wit and laughter to the audience. This wickedly funny parody of WAC Life will be performed on April 8th and April 9th by Writer’s Theater, a student organization.
Despite the obvious murder mystery, this performance is mainly motivated by the characters and the actors who portray them. It seems that there’s not just a plot, but something to justify killing off these thinly veiled caricatures in outrageous ways (choking on dining hall food, anyone?). However, it’s because these established stereotypes that make this performance an enjoyable watch- who hasn’t heard the rumors of promiscuous Minta-dwellers and the nerdy antics of West? These over-the-top renditions will have you laughing your head off, no matter where you live.
Even the style of this performance is unlike many others that have hit the WC stage. While very few are remotely interactive, the Writer’s Theater immerses you completely in the acting experience. Not only could the characters be someone you know from your life, the Writer’s Theater actors interact with you on a level that makes you a part of the story as a prospective student visiting the school. Marta Wesenberg plays the cheerful tour guide, who unfortunately cracks under her façade that ‘everything is perfect at Washington College’ as she witnesses all the murders.
However, the brilliance of the actors is slightly eclipsed by the exact effort that Writer’s Theater places into their performances. While Writer’s Theater is a student organization, it is simply amazing how true that statement is. All the actors are students, ranging from under and upperclassmen, and everyone pitches in to make their performance possible. “Everyone does a little bit of everything,” one student claims. “Some of us do a little writing, a little directing. And most of us act.”
While the Writer’s Theater troupe is relatively unknown compared to other high-key performances on campus, this doesn’t affect how the members of this club handle their plays. True, maybe they handle it with a little less propriety than a senior thesis. When John Eisengrein’s scene was acted out, he bounded up excitedly, “This is my scene!”
But none the less, their electric energy is almost infectious as the wit written in their lines. President Erin Gray says about her hopes for the performance “We’re just happy to perform, whether it’s a few people or tour guides.” With their enthusiasm and dedication working in unison, this troupe is a force to be reckoned with. Perhaps even more so since their anonymous nature gives them free reign over what they perform, as they have nothing to lose. Obviously, there isn’t that much fame and fortune in being an actor on the Washington College campus, even little so in being a member of Writer’s Theater. However, doing what you love the most, throwing aside the fame, gives you a greater pull than just being good. There’s nothing better than an actor doing what they love. And these relatively unknown actors are doing just that.
April 8, 2011
Volume LXXXI Issue 21