Let us entertain you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the question you want to ask not listed here? Email us, or come to our office hours to talk to an executive board member, and we'll be glad to clarify anything! :)
How do I become a member of Players?
Players is probably the easiest organization on campus of which you can be a part. You can start by giving us your email, so that we can keep you updated on everything that's going on. To be an "official member" (which means things like being able to vote, and getting an invitation to Banquet), you have to either attend three of our general member meetings (which are Mondays at 5 o'clock in the Commuter Lounge), be an active member of one of the committees, or be part of a show or event. Otherwise, we don't have any sort of mandatory activities or requirements - you just show up and have fun.
I'm not on the email list, what do I do?
We're so sorry about that! Shoot us an email right now and we'll get right on that.
I want to be a part of a show, but I'm worried about it affecting my grades.
Will I still have time for school?
School comes first, always. In fact, members have to keep up their grades in order to be involved in shows. Players is a lot of fun, and we all know how tempting it can be to overwhelm yourself with it, but at the end of the day this is an extracurricular. Though, obviously, never do anything you're uncomfortable doing, so if you're still unsure, we understand the hesitation.
I'm interested in being in Players, but I don't act. Can I do backstage stuff?
Please do! Performers alone, as much as we value them, do not make a show. As a theatre organization, we have lots of opportunities for members who might be interested in a wide range of things - directing, assistant directing, stage managing, choreographing, writing, light design, set design, costume design, hair and makeup, run crew.. the possibilities are endless.
Also! Check out our list of committees if you're interested in helping out the executive board (a great opportunity if you're interested in being considered an "official member," or if you plan on running for an executive position.
How do you pick the shows you do every year?
At the end of every year, the executive board members that have been chosen for the coming year sit down together and discuss which four mainstage shows to do for the following year. Factors that are taken into account during this process include: how easy it will be to get the rights, how much money it will cost to get the rights, whether it is a show we could feasibly do (due to budget, the space we have, the technology we have, the type of members we have), how popular the show would be (both to our members and potential audience), how big or little a cast the show would have, and how each show would work together to create the "set list" for the upcoming season.
It says everywhere that Players is a "class one organization of the SGA." What does that mean?
Every organization under the Student Government Association (SGA, Inc.) is sepparated into one of these classes: I, II, III, IV, and V. Which class each organization is classified under determines the budget they are given. Class One (as Players is, and has been since the 1970s) is the best an organization can be deemed. This means we get a better budget, a better reputation, and generally have worked hard to upkeep our organization in order to be given better opportunities for success in the future.
What is the audition process like for shows?
The process is slightly different for every show, because it often depends on what the director of that specific show wants. Often, you would be asked to prepare a monologue (the specifics of which are given out prior to auditions, but are never longer than 90 seconds), and bring in a headshot (any picture of yourself.) Some directors, rather than have you prepare a monologue prefer you to come empty-handed and read a side (a short section of the script) from the show. Shows that include dancing might test your ability to follow choreography by giving you a combination to do during auditions, shows that include singing might ask you to sing something, our improv shows ask that you come ready to participate in improv games. But what all auditions have in common is that we ask you to come out, give us your all, and have fun with it!
