Okay mega disclaimer here. I am a theatre major, but I’m probably the most uninvolved one in the history of ever. I’ve been at BW for a year and I barely hang out in Kleist aside from class, work, and the occasional (more like rare) rehearsal. So I know I don’t know as much as the seasoned veteran who spent the past three or four years living in the green room hunched over a script. However, here are 11 things that I’ve learned about Kleist and the theatre department itself since I’ve been here.
1. The 24-hour play festival.
Now, I didn’t get to participate in this last year and probably never will. I am old and need sleep. However, this is a great way for new students to get acclimated with upperclassmen as everyone works together to create a wonderful (and slightly weird) piece of art.
2. The Allman Theater.
This is the only black box theater I know that can be a plain rehearsal space by day and a freaking sand box where Carmen and her gypsies sing on at night. It has many forms. And now, a permanent presence of sand. (“Look at that sand.”)
3. The John Patrick Theater.
Ah, the place where TAP meets. Or it’s the classroom for Stagecraft before you use deadly machinery on your projects! At night when the lights are out, it is the desolate place of freezing darkness with too many inclines that causes people like me to face plant in ten seconds! Okay, it’s literally the proscenium theatre with a slightly warped stage floor. Only slightly.
4. Auditioning for the upcoming stages.
Do you hear that? It’s the sound of 60 plus students buzzing around the lobby yell-whispering their monologues and warming up voices! Ah, isn’t it beautiful? Smell the stress and the perspiration.
5. Dance classes.
“Are you taking Jazz this semester? DON’T TAKE IT WITH GREG, YOU WILL DIE!” This is a very exaggerated impression of students who have to take Jazz.
6. Meeting in the Kleist lobby to rehearse scenes.
The dance studio is occupied with MT seniors rehearsing their showcases, Faces For Radio is in the green room and the next play is being rehearsed in the JPT. Looks like we’re stuck here, guys.
7. Late nights at Lang.
Everything at Kleist ends around 9:30-10 o'clock. Unless you have a car and gas, it’s quite likely that you’ll end up in Lang with your friends. And it’s Burger Wrap Thursday! YES!
8. Jack. Winget.
Self-explanatory I’m sure. My first day in his class, I got a very loud and energetic greeting. I was petrified. Now I’m scared if he doesn't greet anyone in that manner of his.
9. Forever being in the same class with the same 25 people from your class.
I’m pretty sure this is a given because of how small Baldwin Wallace is. However, the chances are infinitely increased in the theatre department. Yeah, I remember you! You’re from acting three, and audition techniques, and stagecraft, and script analysis, and singing for actors, and...
10. Fearing the wrath of Charlotte Yetman.
This woman is a costuming genius and we all hope to be as awesome as she is. However, there is a way to approach and speak to her. Or you die a thousand deaths both in career and in pride. (Cowers in corner.) Love me; please don't kill me!
11. No day is ever a normal day in Kleist.
Ever. From accidently walking into someone’s rehearsal to witnessing the confusion that are some student directed plays, I always leave the building with the overwhelming feeling of fondness and a slight case of indigestion. Curse that burger wrap.
