Jene Thomas – General Assignment Reporter
Forget about Glee for a minute. Southern Connecticut State University has its own group of singers, actors and dancers and they’re on the look out for new members. Don’t act or sing? There are spots for a technical crew, costume designers or just people to help out with the Crescent Players.
The Crescent Players is a student-run production organization that works with the theatre department to put on shows and performances, as well as producing its own events and workshops at the Lyman Center and elsewhere on campus.
“I love the theatre,” said Margaret MacDonald, club secretary, “and it’s a great way to dive into the theatrical world. My favorite part is the acting because you feel liberated.”
Each semester, they put on two performances for not only Southern’s community but anyone interested in watching.
However, admission is free for students here, compared last year’s price of $5. The President of the Crescent Players, Olivia Cintron, said that this was instituted in order to increase student viewing and eventually increase participation.
“Anyone on campus can join and you don’t have to be a theatre major or anything like that,” Cintron said. “Most of us actually aren’t theatre majors which I think is really cool because you get to do what you love without needing to be a theatre major.”
Cintron has been involved with theatre since high school and after some hesitation, decided to join upon entering college.
“I wasn’t really sure I wanted to do it,” Cintron said, “[or] if I would have time for it, but I met up with these kids that sort of convinced me and I did because it’s my passion.”
She has now been a part of the club for three years and made her way to President of the club. The club also does activities outside of the theatre. Cintron said that the group takes outings to movies and just recently saw Annabelle together.
For those interested in joining, the Crescent Players have meetings every other Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the Kendall Drama Lab, located in the black box behind the Lyman Center. There is no audition required.
Though the organization is student-run, they receive a lot of help from the school. Southern offers the group a budget, which is used for buying props and costumes. Each department, whether it’s music, acting or costumes, has its own advisor to assist.
To be more resourceful, the Crescent Players also use their connections with Yale University and borrow from their theatre department.
“First we see what we have in terms of props and stuff and then we might pull and borrow from others,” Cintron said.
Because people around campus aren’t very familiar with the club, they don’t have very high attendance, Cintron. They post fliers on tables and bulletin boards. They’ve created Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts to spread the word. Despite the help of social media, they use gossip to get the word out.
“We rely on word of mouth the most because it seems that even though we plaster the campus with fliers, people don’t know we’re here,” she said.
The Crescent Players are currently celebrating their 60th anniversary. With help from Alumni Relations, they put together a reception Thursday, Oct. 16 where founding member Janet Sarno Dontzin provided a speech and song before the Crescent Player’s production of Godspell, in conjunction with the Lyman Center.
Godspell will be performed for two weekends, until Oct. 19 at 8 p.m in Lyman. The Saturday shows will feature matinee viewings at 2 p.m. Be sure to go out and get tickets and spread the word.
Photo Credit: Derek Torrellas
