Off-Stage/On-Stage: A Varsity Show Feature

Liana Gergely Student Contributor, Columbia University & Barnard College

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Columbia Barnard chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Isabel Lopez, Writer for the Varsity Show

1. What made you want to be part of the writers team for varsity show?

I watched the Varsity Show for the first time last year, and it was a great experience. The show was fun, funny, and it made me remember how I’m part of a larger Columbia community. When I walked out of Roone I thought, “Wow, it would be really cool if I could be part of that in some way. Maybe they’ll let me be an usher at the next show or something.” And then they let me write it.

2. What is the best part about the people you work with?

I love hearing everyone’s ideas and input. One of the most rewarding things about collaborating with such talented people is that they are good at things you’re maybe not so good at, and it makes everything that much better. Also, it doesn’t hurt that they like to bring snacks to meetings.

3. Can you give us a couple hints about what to expect in this year’s varsity show?

I am contractually obligated to deny anyone access to any knowledge about the plot for the show, but I can say that there WILL be a show, in Roone, on May 3rd, 4th, and 5th and that everyone should come watch it because it’s going to be a hoot and a half. Also good. It’ll be good.

4. What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened in rehearsal?

For a couple of weeks we did a lot of improv, just to get to know our actors. We had them do musical improv where they would improvise a song with lyrics and characters and a back story. And at one point we ended up with a boy band number. It was the greatest thing I’ve ever seen, but the director said we weren’t allowed to write a Varsity Show about One Direction, so now I’ll never see that again.

5. What’s the time commitment?

My commitment to the Varsity Show is like my commitment to my first boyfriend. I spent all my time with him, when I wasn’t with him I was thinking about him, when I wasn’t thinking about him I was actively stalking him on Facebook, and when he dumped me I locked myself in my room, cried a lot and ate a bunch of ice cream. I mean, the Varsity Show isn’t over yet, but I imagine that’s when it’s going to be like when it is.

Jess Chi, Performer for the Varsity Show

1. What made you want to act and sing in varsity show?

The Varsity Show is such an engaging, unique, and school spirit-building tradition that everyone at Columbia can connect with and enjoy, and I knew that getting involved with it would provide me with the perfect opportunity to give back, in my own creative way, to the school I love. Plus, it combines two of my very favorite things, Columbia jokes and musical theatre, so I knew I just had to audition!

2. What is your most memorable experience from rehearsal so far?

One day during our first few weeks of rehearsal, when we were improvising scenes for the Creative Team to watch and draw inspiration from, Cole Hickman pulled out some crazy accent for an entire scene…I don’t even remember what accent it was, but it was absolutely hysterical. I was laughing so hard that I started to cry. At that moment, I realized just how extraordinarily lucky I was to be working on a show with such a talented, creative, funny, and committed cast. The people I’m sharing the stage with are such a pleasure to watch and work with, and they make me so proud and excited to be a part of this project every single day.

3. What are you most excited about in the next couple months?

I’m most excited to see how our cast and crew continue to bond and develop into a strong, cohesive unit. We spend a lot of time together in rehearsal, and yet we still can’t get enough of one another – we hang out outside of rehearsal all the time. So I’m really looking forward to seeing how our strong friendships with one another translate onto the Roone Auditorium stage to generate an energy that the audience can feed off of. I anticipate that our audience will really notice and appreciate how well we connect with each other and
then settle into having as much fun as we’re having onstage.

4. Why should people come see the varsity show?

People should come see The Varsity Show because it is an insanely hilarious piece of theatre being mounted by an insanely innovative
Creative Team and performed by an insanely talented cast. It gives our community the chance to just sit back for a couple of hours and laugh at ourselves, as well as at some of the wild things that have happened on this dynamic campus we all share. You won’t want to miss our Veesh!!

Off-Stage/On-Stage: A Varsity Show Feature

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