Welcome/welcome back to campus, everyone! With the beginning of the fall semester comes many exciting things. We go back to classes, we adjust to a new meal plan system, and everyone tries to work out what’s going on. Now, I can’t help with classes or meal plans, but I can tell you a bit about what’s happening on campus this semester. Or more specifically, I can tell you a bit about the performing arts that are happening on campus this semester. Between the Theater Arts department and student groups, there’s a whole host of shows going up this semester that you should absolutely audition for or go watch.
Department: “Bad Jews”
The Theater Arts department’s first show is “Bad Jews” by Joshua Harmon, directed by Shana Gozansky. The show was cast last spring, and follows a debate between three cousins who all have different approaches to their Judaism and their lives. It’s a show that a lot of Brandeis students will probably be able to connect to.
Show dates: Oct. 20-22
Department: “Twelfth Night”
If you want to get involved in a department show, then “Twelfth Night” is the one for you. Written by William Shakespeare and directed by Robert Walsh, this show follows the story of Viola, who is shipwrecked in a strange land and disguises herself as a boy. Viola lands herself in the middle of a mess of mistaken identity, love, comedy and chaos. The play is an absolute classic, and is laugh-out-loud funny while delivering a touch of poignancy.
Auditions: Sept. 2
Show dates: Nov. 17-19
UTC: “Lost Girl”
The Undergraduate Theater Collective (UTC) is Brandeis’ largest student-run performing arts group. This semester, they are producing “Lost Girl,” by Kimberly Belflower, directed by Elise Andelman ’25. The play that follows Wendy from “Peter Pan’” years after the events of the novel. It is a female-led coming-of-age play that reinterprets a classic story. If you’re interested in contemporary theater and want to get involved with the UTC, you should definitely check this out. You can sign up for common auditions at the involvement fair.
Auditions: Sept. 3-4 (common auditions)
Show dates: Nov. 2-5
UTC: “Fugitive Songs”
The UTC’s musical production this semester is “Fugitive Songs” with music by Chris Miller and lyrics by Nathan Tysen. The show is a song cycle that works as a half musical/half-hootenanny. It follows the stories of various characters to create a picture of a restless America. The show uses folk music, contemporary pop and gospel. If you’re a singer or a musical theater person looking for a show to get involved with, this might be the show for you.
Auditions: Sept. 3-4 (common auditions)
Show dates: Nov. 16-19
HTP: “As You Like It”
Hold Thy Peace (HTP) is Brandeis’ student-run Shakespeare and classics theater group. This semester, they are producing “As You Like It,” written by William Shakespeare and directed by myself. The play is the story of Rosalind, who runs away into the Forest of Arden disguised as a man. In the forest, she encounters lovelorn shepherds, long-lost family,and her own true love (who doesn’t know who she really is). The play is humorous, witty and bursting with joie de vivre.
Auditions: Sept. 3-4 (common auditions)
Show dates: Nov. 30-Dec. 3
Comedy/Improv
If you want to get involved with comedy or improv on campus, then definitely go check out TBA Improv, Boris’ Kitchen, Bad Grammer, Crowd Control and False Advertising at the involvement fair. Keep an eye out for their upcoming shows.
Auditions: Sept. 14
Show dates: Sept. 7
24-Hour Musical
Every year, the UTC produces the 24-hour musical, and it’s always a ton of fun. This year, the 24 hour musical will rehearse starting the evening of Sept. 9 and the performance will be the evening of Sept. 10.
FreePlay
The FreePlay Theater Cooperative is Brandeis’ student-written and social justice theater group. They are still taking proposals for their fall semester show, so if there’s something that you really want to see produced this semester, sign up for their listserv at the involvement fair and send in a proposal!
