Guides to Northwestern Theatre

What is StuCo?

The Student Theatre Coalition (StuCo) is a collective of nine theatre boards that collectively organizes an abundant season of over 30 entirely student-produced plays and performances over the course of the school year.

What Groups are a Part of StuCo?

Theatre Boards:

• Arts Alliance (AA)
• Jewish Theatre Ensemble (JTE)
• Lovers & Madmen (L&M)
• Purple Crayon Players (PCP)
• WAVE Productions
• Sit & Spin Productions (S&S)
• Spectrum Theatre Company 
• Vertigo Productions (Vert)
• Vibrant Colors Collective (VC2)

For more information about the boards, checkout the archives section of the StuCo website!

What is Wirtz?

The Wirtz Center is the home of the Northwestern theatre department, and the production company that runs the mainstage season. Wirtz shows are directed by a mixture of professional Chicago-area directors and Directing MFA students. The actors, stage managers, and music directors are usually all undergraduates. Wirtz produces around 12 shows per year.

What is AMTP?

The American Music Theatre Project (AMTP), hosted by the Wirtz Center and under the artistic direction of faculty member Alexander Gemignani. 

What are SPPs?

Student Performance Projects (or SPPs) are student theatre productions that are applied for and sponsored by the Wirtz Center. SPPs receive administrative support and a small amount of grant money by Wirtz, and are performed in one of the Wirtz black box theaters. Some SPPs are produced by StuCo boards, such as JTE’s Song Cycle and WAVE’s D-Fest, and some are entirely independent projects.

What are Performance Hours?

Performance hours are very similar to SPPs, but are sponsored by the Performance Studies department and presented in the Alvina Krause theater. Performance Hours are almost always independent projects, and usually feature a wider range of artistic forms than traditional theatre.

What are Generals?

Since so many shows are produced at Northwestern each year, StuCo and Wirtz consolidate the audition process through general auditions, or Generals, where students audition for a large number of plays and musicals at the same time, and then go through callbacks over the next two weeks. 

There are four Generals cycles per year: Early Fall (held at the end of Spring Quarter), Late Fall (held at the start of Fall Quarter), Winter (held in the middle of Fall Quarter), and Spring (held at the start of Winter Quarter). Wirtz and StuCo generals currently occur separately. 

What is a primary/secondary process?

A primary process is a fully staged StuCo production that is accompanied by a full-length rehearsal process. Most StuCo mainstages are primary processes. A secondary process is a less fleshed out performance like a staged reading or a one act that usually has a smaller budget and shorter rehearsal time. Some secondary processes audition as part of Generals, and some hold their own auditions at other points during the year! Examples of secondary processes include Vertigo’s Winter Reading Series, JTE’s Song Cycle, and WAVE’s D-Fest. One of the StuCo rules during Generals is that students can only be cast in one primary process and one secondary process per quarter. This does NOT include secondary processes that hold auditions outside of Generals.

What are delibs/conferrals?

Deliberations, or delibs, are how boards and shows decide their new members, producers, directors, or casts. There is a very systematic process for this. If you are petitioning or auditioning, you will fill out a preference form. Then, boards or directors will say who they want, and the co-chairs determine which board or production you will be part of based on your preferences.

Who are the Co-Chairs?

The Co-Chairs are two students who petitioned and were chosen by the previous Co-Chairs and Executive Board. Together, they run student theatre, organize auditions, help resolve concerns, and act as a liaison between StuCo and Wirtz.

What is TWIST?

TWIST (or This Week In Student Theatre) is a weekly newsletter sent out every Wednesday night that keeps you updated on anything and everything StuCo-related. Check out the page on TWIST for more information.

FAQs

Do I have to be a theatre student to get involved in student theatre?

Absolutely not! Student theatre is a place for everyone who wants to be involved. We acknowledge that it can be difficult for students who are not theatre majors to get involved, so feel free to reach out to the Co-Chairs for help and advice, regardless of whether or not you’re a theatre major! The Co-Chair email is nustuco@u.northwestern.edu.

If I’m a theatre student, do I have to do student theatre?

Absolutely not. Some people do a lot of student theatre, some people do none. It’s entirely up to what feels best to you.

What exactly does a StuCo board do?

A StuCo board presents 1-3 productions a year aligning with their specific mission. They have weekly meetings to discuss progress on shows and other topics relevant to their particular mission. For more information on each board, checkout the archives section of the StuCo website.

Do I have to be on a board to get involved with processes?

No. Auditions are completely separate from boards, and producers of StuCo and independent projects are constantly looking for collaborators through TWIST. Being on a board is more geared towards arts administration experience than direct production work. 

A Note on Weeks

Northwestern Theatre measures time in weeks since the beginning of the quarter. For example, the first show this fall will be Vertigo’s Week 2 Shanley slot. Week 2 refers to September 29-October 5. However, in fall quarter the three days before Thanksgiving Break do not count as a week. So this year, Week 9 is November 17-23, and Week 10 is December 1-7. If you are ever confused about which specific dates a week number refers to, you should email the producer of a production (if you’re trying to work on it) or check any promotional materials (if you want to see it).

Shanley Pavilion

Shanley is the most common student theatre venue, as it is the only dedicated student theatre space. Shanley is a black box theater located behind Lunt Hall, on Sheridan Road between Library Place and Northwestern Place.

McCormick Auditorium

McCormick Auditorium is an approximately 300-seat lecture hall and theater located on the first floor of Norris University Center. It is the second most common student theatre venue.

Louis Room

The Louis Room is a large room located on the second floor of Norris University Center. There are two halves of the room that can be separated by a divider. The south half is a large square room with a tall ceiling (approx. 22ft.). There is also a balcony that runs all the way around the room. The North half is a smaller room with a 9ft. ceiling and is often used as a backstage area.

Cahn Auditorium

Cahn Auditorium, located on the corner of Emerson Street and Sheridan Road, is one of Northwestern’s most upscale theatre venues. As such, it is host to very few student theatre events; Sit & Spin’s Fall Cahn, the Dolphin Show and the Waa-Mu Show are always produced in Cahn. Some professional productions are mounted in Cahn.

Krause Studio in Annie May Swift Hall

Krause is most frequently used by the Performance Studies department, but is occasionally home to independent student theatre projects. Annie May Swift is located slightly southwest of Main Library, and north of the Rock.

Harris 107

Harris Hall is mainly a journalism building, but room 107 is occasionally used for student theatre productions, such as comedy and a capella shows and the freshman musical. Harris Hall is across from University and Kresge Halls, and is located near the rock and the arch.

The Struble and Wallis

The Struble and Wallis theaters are located on the first floor of the Wirtz center. They are large black theaters and are usually host to student Wirtz projects and MFA shows, as well as special events like American Musical Theatre Project.

Kresge

Kresge Centennial Hall is one of three academic buildings by the rock, and is often used for interviews and production meetings. It is approximately level with Emerson Street.

Norris University Center

Norris University Center, usually shortened to Norris, is located on the eastern part of campus, approximately level with Foster Street, and is sometimes considered the dividing line between north and south campus. Norris has five floors: underground, ground, first, second, and third. Norris houses McCormick Auditorium, the Louis Room, SOURCE, SOFO, meeting rooms, and student organization offices. The eleven meeting rooms are often used by StuCo boards and other organizations, including Waa-Mu, but very few people actually know which name corresponds to what room. 

Norbucks

Norbucks is a portmanteau of Norris Starbucks. It is located on the ground floor of Norris, immediately obvious when you walk in the entrance closest to Bienen and Wirtz. Norbucks is often used for small meetings, such as designer interviews or design team meetings. It’s also a great place to relax and do some work, if you don’t mind noise.

Smoothie Place

This used to be Norbucks, and It is located on the first floor of Norris, immediately obvious when you walk in the west-facing (or library-facing) entrance. This space is often used for small meetings, such as designer interviews or design team meetings. It’s also a great place to relax and do some work, if you don’t mind noise.

SOFO

Student Organization Financial Office, SOFO for short, is a literal place located on the first floor of Norris by the Center Desk, as well as an entity that StuCo boards (and other student organizations) have to deal with when any finances are on the line. 

SOURCE

SOURCE is a multi-purpose work space on the third floor of Norris. It is occasionally used for production team meetings, and sign ups for board, producer, or director interviews in the fall and spring are done via a binder in SOURCE. Accessing the third floor can be tricky; the stairs to the second floor are on the south side of the first floor, and the stairs to the third floor are by the doors to the second floor. The elevators are easier while you’re still figuring Norris out.

Student Organization Offices

Also located on the third floor of Norris, student organization offices are home to offices for some theatre boards. Most of the boards are shared between a few organizations. There is a directory by the bathrooms that indicates which organizations are located in which offices.

The Dolphin Show

Mission 

The Dolphin Show is America’s largest student-produced musical. Each year, over 150 undergraduate administrators, designers, technicians, actors and musicians work together to mount a massive Broadway-style musical in Cahn Auditorium, Northwestern University’s grandest performance venue. Our mission is three-fold:

• to provide a new generation of artists and administrators with an unmatched production experience
• to develop a vibrant community among this group of collaborators from across Northwestern’s campus
• to create a theatrical experience that celebrates Amusical theatre and encourages reflection in its audiences

Auditions for The Dolphin Show are held at Winter Generals. Additional Open Calls are held in the early fall. (The 77th Annual Dolphin Show Open Call was held Fall Week 4.)

Joining Artistic, Business, or Rehearsal Room Team

Interviews to join the Dolphin team are held in the fall and will be announced via TWIST and/or Facebook.

Website: http://www.nudolphinshow.org/ 

Seesaw Theatre

Seesaw Theatre produces “original, multi-sensory theatre for those with autism spectrum condition and other developmental differences.” Their productions are multi-sensory, one-on-one, and safe. They present the Inclusive Theatre Festival in the fall, and put on shows in the winter and spring. Seesaw also offers workshops about creating inclusive theatre.

Website: http://www.seesawtheatre.org/

TBD

TBD: A Neo-Futurism Inspired Performance Group “is an ensemble of students who strive to create non-illusory theatre that shares our thoughts and feelings as simply as possible so that it is more accessible to all audiences. We play ourselves without the normal conventions of theatre. We create an environment where the audience is as important as the people on stage, and we create a space for sharing the human experience as honestly as one can whilst performing.” TBD has shows and auditions throughout the year.

Contact: tbdperfgroup@gmail.com 

Website: https://www.facebook.com/pg/TBDPerfGroup/about/?ref=page_internal

 

The Bix

The Bix is a musical improv group. They perform winter and spring quarters.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/thebiximprov/

 

Mee-Ow Players

Mee-Ow is an improv and sketch comedy group. They have quarterly shows, with auditions in the fall. 

Website: https://www.facebook.com/meeowcomedy/

ODB (Out Da Box)

ODB (Out Da Box) “is a comedy group at Northwestern University that is traditionally black, but is made up of all races. We just keep it real.” They have shows every quarter, with producer/writer petitions and performer auditions in the fall. They also host Improv Open Gyms with the other comedy groups in the fall.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/odbcomedy/

 

The Panini Players

The Panini Players are a  Commedia dell’Arte-inspired ensemble. They hold one feature performance per quarter, which includes a make-your-own panini dinner and a one-hour show. “We mix lowbrow physical comedy with highbrow wit, which produces an interesting comedic dynamic.”

Website: https://northwestern.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/paniniplayers

 

Titanic

The Titanic Players is an improv comedy group. They put on monthly shows in McCormick, and audition in the fall. Each team formed at the beginning of the year stays together until graduation. Auditions will be publicized in TWIST and on Facebook.

Website: https://www.onegroupmind.com/the-titanic-players, https://www.facebook.com/pg/The-Titanic-Players-at-Northwestern-University-Evanston-IL-135471093163289/about/?ref=page_internal

This Week In Student Theatre (TWIST)

The weekly newsletter that is sent out (usually) every Wednesday night. Checkout the page titled TWIST for more information or follow link here: Info About Twist.

Theatre Boards

Theatre boards are a group of executive members united under a specific theatrical and artistic purpose. Every StuCo board traditionally meets at 10:30 pm on Monday, colloquially referred to as StuCo O’Clock, in rooms in Norris and Fisk. Each board has 2-4 main stage slots per year, as well as a number of special events. Special events in the past have included song cycles, staged readings, and ten minute play festivals, and some confirmed special events for this year are JTE’s Night of New Work and L&M’s Adaptation Festival. A board has several responsibilities to a production. First, in the spring, boards interview and select playwrights (if applicable), producers, and directors. Boards can help producers and directors find designers and other collaborators. During build and tech, boards provide board support, where they take shifts to help build the set, hang and focus lights, and generally be on call for what designers and directors need. During the run of a show, board members run the light and sound boards and box office. During strike, board members assist the cast and creative team in clearing the space. Each board member has more specific responsibilities to productions based on their position. Being on a board does not mean your work is limited to that board, and not everyone is on a board! They aren’t for everyone, but if you are interested in arts administration or think you might be, a board can be a great way to get involved. You do not have to be on a board to get involved with a show.

Checkout the Archives and section about boards on the website for more information!

Open Board Meetings

In the fall, boards will hold open meetings that first-years can attend to get an idea of how each board operates on a week by week basis, and maybe decide which boards they would be interested in doing.

Auditions

There are auditions, called ‘Generals,’ that are held at the end of each quarter for shows that are taking place in the following quarter.* An announcement and a link of how to sign up for an audition are sent out in TWIST. There will be Generals for plays and Generals for musicals. You can sign up for a 15-minute slot for each of them, one of them, or neither. To prepare, you need to fill out audition sheets, easily accessed through the link that is sent out in TWIST, for all of the shows that are in the audition room (even if you are not auditioning for them). You will also need your acting resume and a headshot (just a clear picture of your face that you feel confident about). These instructions will also be shared each time Generals are announced. The day of your audition(s), you will give your forms to the person coordinating the auditions. They will then tell you when you will go in the audition room. In the room, there will be the director(s) and/or the producer(s)of each play or musical for the upcoming season. I know that it may seem scary, but we have to remind ourselves that they are there to support and encourage us in our auditions! When you walk in, you’ll slate (say your name, what monologue/song you’re performing, what show it’s from, who wrote it). Then you’ll do your thing!!!!! (There are also Open Calls that may become available if a process wants to see more people that didn’t come to Generals. This is usually less formal than Generals and can be compared to callbacks.) A few days later, the callback lists will come out, and people will be able to follow those instructions. After callbacks, TWIST will send out a form for you to rank what show you’d like to be in. The directors and producers will then go into deliberations, and then the cast list will come out.** Don’t worry if you didn’t get casted!! There will be more auditions the next quarter!! You can audition for student films for the RTVF major as well. You can also become involved in a process as a designer, part of the stage management team, or another area that interests you so easily!!

*At the end of Spring quarter, there are auditions for early fall processes. A couple of weeks into the fall quarter, there are Generals for late fall shows.

**Most auditions are for student theatre productions; however, there are a handful of Wirtz Productions which are the department shows that are lead by professionals and/or students in the Master’s programs. Wirtz shows get dibs on you depending on how you rank them.

Rehearsals

Each director or stage manager will give you a calendar of the expected rehearsal dates and times, but they are very similar each time. For actors and actresses and stage management: Monday-Thursday from 6pm or 6:30pm to 10pm or 10:30pm. Friday off. Saturday or Sunday from 12pm-4pm. Each day, the stage manager will send out a call list to say which actors/actresses will have rehearsal the following night. During tech week, these times will more than likely go slightly longer. For designers: Designers’ work usually happens outside of the rehearsal room. They may be in the room based on what information they need (how are the actors/actresses blocked? How do they move?), and there will also be a designer run which is a full run of the show for the designers to see how it all works together. 

Build

Yay, a show is happening!! But what is it happening on? That’s right! A Set!!!! Build is when the set is being built. Build is usually directed by the technical director (TD) of the team, and the Board members, designers, actors and actresses, really anyone part of the team signs up for a couple of hours to help build the set pieces! It’s really an amazing opportunity to spend time with people outside of a rehearsal and a classroom setting, and you’ll be able to use power tools!!

Load-in

Load in occurs the week of the performances which is moving the set pieces into the performance space. 

Tech 

Tech Week is the week of the performances that is dedicated to the technical designers of the process. This is when the lighting cues, sound cues, and any other technical part of the show get set. It can be a long process, but it is a necessary one.

Strike

After the amazing performances are completed, strike happens which is the removal of the set from the space. This usually happens the night of and a day or two after the last performance. Board members, designers, cast members, etc., come out to help strike. Then the next show begins their load-in!

Post-Mortem

Post-mortem is after the processes are all finished. The director(s) and the producer(s) (and playwright, if applicable) meet with the board they worked with and talk about the process. What worked? What didn’t? What could have been handled better? How was working with the director or producer? It is for the board to understand the collaboration and see where they could improve for next time and also gives an opportunity for the director and producer to voice their thoughts.

Dashers

A nickname given to freshman working as crew members on Wirtz productions. Refers to the previous numbering system of the first-year rotation as “the 140 dash sequence.”

 

Delibs

After petitions for boards, the boards go through a process called deliberations or delibs where they make their decisions based on the petitions. Each board does it slightly different, so feel free to ask a board member about their specific methods!

 

GroupMe

GroupMe is an app that is commonly used in the Northwestern Theatre community for groups. 

 

PSV and Astronauts

PSV stands for Performance and Satellite Venues, and they are the group that supervises safety regulations in student theatre spaces. Astronaut is the nickname for students who work for PSV, and they will help ensure safety regulations are followed in all spaces.

 

Pub Push

If you are part of a board or a process, you will be asked to do a Pub Push aka a Publicity Push. There will usually be a graphic for your Facebook cover photo and profile picture that you can post at the time that is asked to support and advertise your show!!!

 

PubSto

PubSto is Public Storage off campus where student boards store most of their larger items!

 

When2Meet

When2Meet is a website that is often used to help plan schedules. It’s used to figure out when to meet.

 

EID 

Education, Inclusion, and Diversity. Most likely in reference to the Director of Education, Inclusion, and Diversity.

 

Build

The two or three weekends prior to a show Members of the production team work alongside board members to work on design elements of the show, including the set, and sometimes costumes or props. Sometimes producers bring food or snacks, and there’s usually fun music!

 

Brick

32-lb weight used to counter the weight of scenery.

 

Captain’s Ball

A party thrown by the Dolphin Show, similar to a formal.  Everyone dresses up in cocktail-esk clothing and it is held in an Evanston Restaurant/Bar, usually Prairie Moon.  The event is $10 per ticket, and is one of the many ways that we fundraise!

 

Genie/Genie Lift 

A platform that can rise, often used to work on lights and tall/suspended scenic elements.

 

Load-In

When a team moves all of their materials (scenic elements, lighting fixtures, tools, etc.) into the performance space to begin tech week.

 

CRC 

Communications Residential College. AKA East Fairchild. Frequently, SoC students live here, but there’s also a huge Wirtz set/prop storage garage underneath. 

 

Electrics 

Another way to refer to the lighting team; includes the lighting designer, master electrician, electricians, etc.

 

Exec 

This can refer to either the general StuCo Executive Board, or an individual theatre board. Exec boards often consist of an Executive Director, Artistic Director, Production Manager, Business Manager, Marketing Director, Special Events Director, and several other positions.

 

Garage 

Where StuCo shows often build their sets on weekends.  They are located behind the tennis courts across the street from tech. 

 

Generals 

Auditions held every quarter where actors audition for all shows currently casting (Fall is split into “Early fall” in spring of the previous year, and “Late fall” early in fall quarter). Actors will be called back for individual shows after generals.

 

Loose [object] Overhead 

Someone is above you holding something that is not attached to anything else. Generally used as a warning to stay clear of the area until it is attached in case it falls.

 

Petitions 

Term for interviews to join boards, produce, direct, etc.

 

Production/”Prod” Meeting – A meeting wit the full team of a show.

 

Pref – Used in audition or petition settings. Both the auditioner/petitioner and the group for which they are applying “pref” who they are most excited about working with. 

 

PubSto – The public storage facility that many student theater organizations use to store their equipment and stock props, platforms, costumes, etc.

 

Rock Show 

A parody of popular musicals held at the rock, usually the week before winter break.

 

SOFO 

The Student Organization Finance Office.  Administrative office housed in Norris that oversees all the finances of Northwestern student groups. SOFO approves all contracts, processes reimbursements, issues cash advances, etc.

 

Strike 

When the team takes down all of the scenic elements, additional lighting fixtures, etc. to restore the space to neutral/clear after the end of the run.

 

StuCo 

Student Theater Coalition; the organizing body for the nine theater boards. Though there’s overlap in a lot of the personnel and terminology, Dolphin and Waa-Mu are not members of StuCo.

 

StuCo O’Clock 

10:30pm in Norris, when the theater boards have their weekly meetings.

 

StuCo Seven  

Most StuCo shows start late, often referred to as the “StuCo Seven”

 

TWIST – Acronym for “This Week In Student Theatre”. Sent out via email Wednesday nights by the StuCo Co-Chairs, it consists of announcements and updates encompassing the entire student theatre community. Contact your Community Development Director for help getting added to the TWIST ListServ

 

Spevents

Shortened version of “special events”.