On Saturday, Nov. 2, the student-run theatre company Second Studio held their “SUU Live” in Southern Utah University’s Auditorium Black Box. The theme of the show was medieval, following a plot where a group of jesters was appealing to a king, portrayed by SUU professor Lisa Quoresimo, in order to become the next court jester.
“SUU Live” is a show put on by Second Studio once a month. It is entirely student run, although professors and community members can come watch the show. The stage and characters within the show are all come up with and procured by the students, and are integral within the theming of the show.
One important part of “SUU Live” are reactions and input from the audience. It is encouraged, and makes every show different for both the performers and those who are watching.
“I think the spontaneity is something that I’m forcing. I’m a very overplanner type of person, and this is one thing I have to not plan out fully and just let it go where it goes.” said Rockwell MacGillivray, co-showcase director.
“SUU Live” is entirely improvised, and even the performers did not know what the competitions would entail. The beginning of the show had the jesters-to-be making hand puppets to assist them in the next competitions. These hand puppets were characters that they could use in any of the upcoming competitions, and each contestant had their own.
In between the competitions, the “king” that the jesters were performing for picked who would be executed, much to the audience’s dismay or approval. It offered a chance for the audience to be really involved in the process, to everyone’s enjoyment.
“When people walk out in a little peasant costume, and nobody knows they’re gonna walk out in a little peasant costume, I get really excited,” said Shay Wilkey, the showcase manager. “I think crowd engagement is really awesome.”
The performers and organizers for “SUU Live” give an opportunity for people to enjoy performing arts away from a large auditorium. It welcomes anyone who enjoys comedy-driven shows to watch.
To learn more about Second Studio and get involved with performing arts, follow them on Instagram.
Author: Tallon Taylor
Photographer: Tallon Taylor and Tessa Cheshire
Editor: Tessa Cheshire
arts@suunews.net
