Lifestyles

Theatre to debut new show: ‘What’s Next?’

u From CSC College Relations

How does a theatre department present a play that is socially distanced during a pandemic? This question, combined with time travel and how it could result in alternate outcomes, led Chadron State College Professor Scott Cavin into a collaboration with Artist-in-Residence Jenn Poarch and playwright David Craven, a former CSC Artist-in-Residence, who lives in Georgia, to develop a concept.

Their final product, “What’s Next?” will debut Nov. 12-15 in the Student Center. Performances are free and will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Seat reservations are required and can be made online. Face coverings and social distancing are required.

The origin story centers on a college freshman, Arthur, who shows up early to a class hoping to chat with a girl who interests him. Through this scene, the audience learns a bit about Arthur’s background and his friends. Will he gain enough confidence to ask out Jenny?

The three additional scenes, in two different dorm lobbies and a student center, are possible alternate endings to the origin story. Each audience will view the scenes in a different order.

Poarch, who is directing the production, said new characters are introduced, as well as new circumstances, some beyond the characters’ control. All of these introductions affect Arthur’s opinions, behavior and growth, she said.

Topics addressed in the production in-

clude change, insecurities, gun control, and bullying.

“By listening to others and paying attention to things around us, we can control how we react to any given circumstance,” Poarch said. “The story is intended to be open-ended in all aspects. It can take place anywhere really and anytime between 2005 and present-day. Of course, being on the Chadron State College campus, as the director, I am tailoring it to this area and its environment.”

Four audiences of 14 individuals each will view the first scene in the Bordeaux, Ballroom, Scottsbluff, and Lakota Rooms. After viewing one of the 20-minute scenes, each group will walk to the next location for another performance until they have seen Photo by Daniel Binkard, Chadron State Collegethe entire show. Cavin said Director of the Panhandle Public Health District Kim Engel approved Jenn Poarch, interim director of theatrical performances, speaks to Bailey Bierle during a rehearsal for “What’s Next,” Monday, Oct. 19. the play and commented that it was an innovative way to have a safe production.

“We’re trying to survive and thrive in the pandemic. This approach is similar to guerilla theatre. The audience moves with us and we all adapt to change together. We’re moving out of our comfort zone. We had to do that when M-Hall was being renovated in 2000,” Cavin said.

Poarch said the unique format requires actors to be quick on their feet.

“The actors have to be ready for new dialogue and other changes. It’s also the point of the show. There’s nothing to pull from. This production has never been performed before so we all get to interpret everything together,” Poarch said.

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Lifestyles

Mini Big Event lends a hand

u By Brandon Davenport Co-editor

Twenty-six The Big Event volunteers traded in their keyboards for gardening tools this week during Chadron State College’s third-annual Mini Big Event.

Coming on the heels of co-hosting the virtual “One Big Thanks Conference,” the Mini Big Event was the first time TBE staff have been able to get out of the virtual world and onto jobsites in the community.

“Overall we had a lot of fun., Kaci Waugh, The Big Event graduate assitant said. “People are really thankful for us being able to do this, and with the weather, I couldn’t be happier.”

Tuesday, the group spent time raking leaves, trimming brush, and tidying up yards at seven jobsites. On Wednes-

day, they spent two hours at an eighth site.

Community members at jobsites were eager to help out and interact with the group while they Photos by Brandon Davenport worked, but A pair of Big Event staff members rake leaves during Tuesday’s Mini Big were unable Event. The group worked a total of seven jobsites oon Tuesday. to due to COVID-19 guidelines ing out “save the date” reminders this TBE observed while working. December as usual due to the fluidity

The event did more than just help of the situation, but they’ll use insights the community, it served as a primer gained this week to ensure The Big for the group’s larger event typically Event has an impact next semester. held in the spring. TBE won’t be send-

Kaci Waugh, The Big Event graduate assistant, tends to a garden during the Mini Big Event, Tuesday.