Theater grads in New York pursue their dreams with grit and creativity, determined to succeed on their own terms
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BY LAURA BARLAMENT
On a Saturday morning in August, Kelsey Mathes, BFA ’09, and three other members of the musical theater improv group Big D and the Closers are rehearsing in a small, stuffy room—a typical Manhattan rent-by-the-hour studio space. Musical theater improv is what Mathes does. She also acts professionally, on stage and on screen; writes plays, one of which was produced this spring; studies to become a health coach; works 40 to 50 hours per week at a West Village bar; and runs a theater production company, which she founded late last year with fellow UB theater alumnae Jacqueline Raymond, BFA ’08, and Amanda McDowall, BFA ’10.
For now, though, Mathes is fully immersed in an “invocation”—an improvisational form. “How does the invocation start? ‘I am’?” inquires Frank Spitznagel, the pianist accompanying the group today. A chorus of voices blurts, “It is, you are, thou art, I am.” “IIIIII am,” Mathes sings dramatically, echoed by teammate William Kean in baritone. “Let’s cut the ‘I am’ segment,” objects Miles Lindahl, another team member. After a few more quick words of discussion, Kean calls out, “Let’s just do it, let’s go!” “Yeah, all right,” says Lindahl. He turns to the reporter in the room: “We need an object, please.” “Ball,” she offers. “Ball? Ball,” echoes around the room.
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9/20/13 2:12 PM