Editor’s Note: One member of The Journal’s Editorial Board is on the Queen’s Players executive team. They were not involved in the production of this article in any aspect.
The summer shred is heating up as Queen’s Players launched us into the meteor-world of the summer Olympics.
The show runs a new cast every semester, and they never miss a summer season. This time, audiences got a glimpse into “A Space Olympocalupse,” a “See You Next Tuesday” cabaret focusing on the Olympics in an apocalyptic setting.The sold-out event ran from July 19 to 22 at The Mansion.
“One of the traditions of the summer show is that it’s really chaotic, so I wanted to throw in the apocalyptic curveball, and it turned out to be really fun,” Director Olivia Orsi, ArtSci ’23, said in an interview with The Journal.
Running for over 100 years, all the shows proceeds are donated to charitable organizations in Kingston and Canada.
Full of racy jokes and laughter, Orsi said Players is a great club for people who express themselves and find community through theatre.
“I realized a lot about myself and was able to come out of my shell a bit more. I joined in fourth year, and it’s never too late to get started.”
Her role as a director dealt with administrative work such as scheduling vocal and choreography rehearsals, writing the script, and choosing the production’s songs.
Players is an extensive team with various moving parts, according to Orsi. This allowed for a diverse range of people to join the team. Stage lovers and script writers alike can join Players so long as they nail their audition.
Vocal directors helped members learn their harmonies. Choreography directors created dances, and the production team made promotional content for social media. First time cast members have the opportunity to advance into leadership positions after the initial show.
The team reserves spots for new members to join the club, but Orsi said every director must be a Players alumnus, as it allows them to teach rookies how to perform.
Orsi said board members look to hire a director who will support cast members—especially first time performers—while lifting other people up.
Central to being a director is acting as support to all cast members, with an emphasis on welcoming the rookies, Orsi said.
“I think directors are someone the board feels members can look up to,” Orsi said.
Orsi explained that directors are the main leads for the cast, and it’s ultimately their job to create a safe environment where people can feel comfortable being their most creative and funny self.
“I just want people to have a good time. It sounds cliché, but I think all I want is a really funny show. I just hope [audience members] laugh and have fun with the music.”
If you ever thought to stop by The Mansion on a breezy summer night, you would have heard “Rasputin” being yelled into a microphone as Caesar Flickerman opened the Olympocalypse Games.
The cast members filled the stage with colourful wigs and gaudy jokes as they brought their audience to their feet. Eccentric, hectic, and full of boozy fun, the audience joined in on the 2012 classic “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen, and watched Dobby talk about his flaccid penis.
Even more awe-inspiring was the appearance of the dearly departed Marilyn Monroe as she sang “Happy Birthday” to Players president, Stephanie Swindells, on opening night.
Players is looking to expand their cast to bring new members to the team. If you’re looking to sing like Amy Winehouse, dance like you’re in the reruns of Glee, and star in a Saturday Night Live-esque set, Players might be right for you.
September will see auditions open for Players’ fall semester cast.
Tags
comedy, Mansion, Queens Players, Theatre
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