Webster University’s LGBTQ Alliance wanted to throw a production all students could participate in. The Conservatory Program holds several plays and musicals throughout the year, but those are exclusive to those pursuing a degree in theater performance and production.
The alliance will present Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Emerson Studio Theatre in the Loretto-Hilton Center Dec. 5.
LGBTQ President Josh Tyler told his friend Daniel Brake the club wanted to put on Rocky Horror.
Brake’s passion for directing led him to ask to be a director for the project.
“[We want] to be able to have the opportunity to do fun musicals that you wouldn’t be able to do unless you were in the conservatory,” Brake said. “We want to provide that [opportunity] for everyone because it’s a really good service and we feel like it could really take off.”
From there, Brake added Jordan Zachow who, in high school, participated in theater.
Zachow, a psychology major, knew pursuing theater in college was not an option for her. However, Zachow wanted to still participate in productions.
“Now [that] I’m here I’m doing what I love. I’m back as stage manager, assistant director extraordinaire,” Zachow said. “People who wouldn’t get a chance to do [theater] are able to get back on stage and do something that they love.”
Choreographer and jazz vocal major Dominique Price knew he would not have trained dancers like a conservatory production would, but he used the diverse group to his advantage. He made the choreography about the movement rather than technique.
“It’s all about the shimmy shimmy shake, the boom boom pow, with the butt,” Price said. “I would say it inspires the freedom of movement in that I didn’t want to make the choreography so difficult that it was unintelligible for people who aren’t dancers. It’s exciting because of the energy put behind it.”
The production was not without its share of challenges. Auditions were held the week after fall break and rehearsals began the first week of November.
The entire production had to be perfected in a little more than a month. Rehearsals ranged from four times a week to seven times a week and, due to the students’ busy schedules, rehearsals were at night from 9:30 p.m. until midnight. Brake said the hard work is worth it for the Dec. 5 show.
“It’s amazing to see just how far this group has gone in just a little over a month,” Brake said.
Brake, Zachow and Price hope that plays outside of the conservatory continue for years to come. The ultimate goal is to have a production available to everyone each semester.
“I think it’s an egregious mistake that there is not a production for the student body to audition for and to be a part of to create some art,” Price said. “I think that is wrong, so this is a great project we are doing and we are making a big statement.”
Share this post
