Out of the Box, a student run theater organization, will be announcing some updates for their season over the next couple of weeks.
Out of the Box typically puts on three fully staged productions each semester, as well as “edges,” staged readings.
Olivia Laskin, acting senior and OOTB artistic director and, said this semester is going to look different due to current restrictions.
“We are going completely online this semester, which we are really excited about,” she said.
Laskin said the OOTB board is looking at some new formatting options for virtual performances.
“We are looking at Zoom as an option, but we’re also looking into some other possible options,” she said.
Laskin said the season announcements should be released later this week, or possibly next week if things go as planned.
“We are doing our usual mainstages and edges, but we’re also doing a little bit of a twist and trying something new with our playwright-in-residence program,” Laskin said.
Laskin said more information on the collaboration with the playwright-in-residence program will be announced and released over the next two weeks as the information and plans become more solidified. Lisi Levy, business manager for OOTB, said she appreciates the unique nature the organization.
“I love Out of the Box so much because I think it gives students the opportunity to be a part of a creative community with a little bit more freedom than a traditional mainstage or School-of-Theatre-sponsored production,” Levy said.
Levy said she is passionate about OOTB because of the side by side learning experience it provides to students.
“The students are the directors, the actors, the producers, so you get this opportunity to grow and learn and collaborate in a different way than you might in a rehearsal room,” Levy said.
Levy said she is excited for the opportunity OCU has with taking OOTB virtual.
“A remote creative outlet ensures safety, and I think it’s super important right now to have a safe option for students who might not feel comfortable doing other activities at OCU this semester,” Levy said.
Levy said she doesn’t think going virtual will be a detriment for the shows or the people performing in the shows.
“I think this will actually give them chances to enhance different parts of the script or explore and make discoveries about the medium that is different than what you would experience onstage,” Levy said.
Levy said she thinks the people who have been selected are up for the job.
“I would encourage everyone to participate in student produced theater during their college careers because it has been the most artistically fulfilling thing for me to be a part of,” Levy said.
For more information and updates on the season, student can follow Out of the Box on Facebook and Instagram.
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