Second Studio, a student-run theatre company at Southern Utah University, put on their first “SUU Live” of the semester on Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium Black Box. To honor Valentine’s Day, the theme of this show was “As You Wish,” a nod to the 1987 film “The Princess Bride.”
“‘SUU Live’ is a great place for students to meet new people and to show us what they’re passionate about,” said Showcase Director Abbie Cochrane. “They get to perform what they like.”
“SUU Live” is a variety show that Second Studio puts on once a month and is completely run by students, giving them agency and control over the pieces they select to perform. This show featured students dressed in princess attire, singing songs of romance and sharing the things they love.
Between each performance, the audience was encouraged to share their tragic first date stories. Placed in the intimate Auditorium Black Box Theatre, the environment fostered a feeling of community, not just performance. The people sitting in the audience were just as involved in the love for theatre as those on the stage.
“We’re celebrating love like this — the love of creating, love of our friendships, love of the arts — which is really what this ‘SUU Live’ aimed to do,” said Cochrane.
“My favorite thing about Second Studio has got to be the art we create and the spaces that we give for people to create this art,” said Spencer Smith, showcase manager. “‘SUU Live’ allows anybody and everybody to perform, and they’re always such a fun time because people are just here to have a good time.”
Second Studio is designed for students who love to perform but don’t have the opportunity or desire to be involved in mainstage productions. Regardless of major or background, they welcome any student who wants to share their love of art.
As SUU’s Second Studio prepares for their first full-length show of the semester, look out for ways to get involved, whether that be as a performer or audience member, on their Instagram.
Author: Heather Turner
Photos courtesy of Second Studio
Editor: Tessa Cheshire
arts@suunews.net
