CSS Student Blogs

Last semester, I had a class where I helped in theatre. If you want a class with arts or you need arts credit, I recommend that class. It’s called practicum theatre students. During that class, I helped buiding the set of the plays that went on during the semester. There are two plays during the semester. I learned a lot about electric tools and painting. It was very energizing, I prefered that class because I was doing something interesting instead of a traditional class. I learned how to use a bolt pistol, different saws, and an electric screwdriver. In addition, I ushered for two plays which means I collected the tickets after people bought them. There is also the option of managing the lights or soundboard during the plays. This position will only require you to be there at reharsals and shows. You also get to see the actors and all the behind the scenes of the play! The crew, staff and actors are all super nice and great company.

The CSS Theatre puts up many shows throughout the year! Since I attended my first show as a freshman, I have always kept an eye open for any opportunity to attend more events. The theatre traditionally hosts a free preview of the performance before it officially opens. The subsequent shows always have a price tag, though college students have a discount. The preview performance will be on tonight in the CSS Theatre behind Tower Hall. Here’s a description about the event: (more…)

The English & Arts Club hosted an improv workshop with the help of Merry Vaughan and Sharon Dixon Obst. We started with some basics: never ask questions, don’t think too much, and never deny someone. The first warmup we did was to make sure we didn’t deny anyone. Someone would make a statement and the next person would say, “Yes and…”, to build off of their statement. This prevents us from saying, “No”, “but”, “although”, and other words that make it sound like we are saying the other person is wrong. This is important because the scene is NEVER going to go exactly the way you’d expect so you have to embrace other people’s ideas of where it’s going. Next, we tossed an invisible ball back and forth saying a word each time we caught it. This was to keep us from thinking too much. The goal is to pass the ball quickly so that you say the first word that comes to your mind instead of trying to think ahead. After this, we tried some games! We did a scene building game and played “Who’s coming to dinner?” Everyone was laughing and having a good time, even if we occasionally messed up by asking a question or disagreeing. To finish off the night, Merry and Sharon performed a game of “Triathalon” where Merry has to get Sharon to guess three very unusual scenarios without using any real words. One example was scuba diving in Maple Syrup with Justin Trudeau. It was a blast! They also mentioned a new improv club has started on campus and I might just have to check it out! 

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The majestic crew at CSS Theatre has done it again! Last season, I thought I had seen the best of any play when I attended a free preview of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Today, I have seen yet another masterpiece – The Diary of Anne Frank. The was the free preview at 7:30 PM in the CSS Theatre. My friend, Basia, and I trailed to the theatre at 7 PM only to find it packed with eager Saints waiting in line – which FYI went all the way from the auditorium doors to the Theatre entrance!!

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