On the second floor of the Ely Campus center lies the black box theatre. Stepping through the wooden double doors, audiences are met with a room that is painted black from top to bottom, including all four walls, the floor, and even black curtains. The only amount of color that is shown in the space is the red glow of the light from the exit signs, and the pale white of the fluorescent lights that cover the entire room in brightness. There are risers, but they are not very full of chairs right now, as the university is holding auditions for the next show. There are still a few chairs scattered throughout the risers, leaving large gaps that make it hard to tell where the middle aisle begins or ends on either side.
Westfield State University is currently in the audition process for the upcoming musical, Pippin, so the black box theater is currently a blank slate, ready for whatever set, props, costumes, actors, and dance moves the creative team decides to put there later on. The floors, walls, and curtains are black, as a canvas to whatever will come next, as is true of any black box theater.
This theater serves as a space for community building and bonding experiences for those involved in the show and those there for support of the arts at Westfield State University. Students from many different departments at the university audition for, work on, or attend these productions, such as biotechnology major and audience member, Nicolas Wolfgang of Westfield State University. This creates a space shared by a community of students and Westfield residents alike, creating a shared memory and experience.
The Work and the Experience
In the black box theater, Westfield State University’s Theatre Arts Department along with the student run club, the Student Theatre Association (STA), have produced many different types of productions. These productions include, but are not limited to, straight plays and musicals.
Some of the past productions that were put on in Westfield State University’s black box theater include, The Servant of Two Masters, The Actor’s Nightmare, Twelfth Night, Rent, The Wild Party, Antigone, The Trail to Oregon, Crafting a Killer, The Wreck on the 5:25, Tracks, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, and so many more. Nicolas stated that his, “personal favorite show that [he] attended in the black box theater was Twelfth Night.”
Join us, we Have Magic to do
Auditions for the school’s upcoming production of the musical Pippin, a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson, are taking place on Tuesday the 9th of December with callbacks and a dance call on Wednesday the 10th of December. This musical includes many songs that anyone who loves theatre would know. These songs include Corner of the sky, No Time at all, Magic to do, Extraordinary, and many more.
Audiences should keep their eyes on the Theatre Arts Department’s Facebook account to get information about this show. This is a way for readers to be able to experience the black box theater for themselves, and to see what works are being created at Westfield State University.
Is the Smaller Space Worth it?
There are some struggles that are to be faced when putting on a production in a black box theater. This includes having a smaller space. Not having as many seats means that the department sells less tickets, which means that there is less money being made for the department than if they were able to put productions on in a larger space.
Although this is true, the smaller space creates a more intimate experience for audiences and actors alike. It brings audiences closer together, sometimes literally, and gives them a closer view of the storytelling. Nicolas remarked, “It’s more intimate because of the fact that you are so much closer to the cast members and the fact that you have a chance of being called upon regardless of where you sit.” The space is also good for actors to make connections with the audience. Not only this, but a black box theatre can be changed into any arrangement.
Students in the Space
Having a black box theater at Westfield State University is great for students. A smaller, more intimate, space is better for a teaching focus. This is especially true of those who have never worked in a theater before. This gives students a chance to learn about their craft in a smaller setting before experiencing it on a larger scale, outside of college. Utilizing this space for learning opportunities is especially important for those who are involved in the STA. This is because every position on the board, the creative staff, and the performers are made up of students from Westfield State University, spread across a variety of majors.
The black box theater at Westfield State University provides a space for students to grow aspects of their craft in a community setting. The location is easily accessible to students because it is inside of the Ely Campus Center, where many other important spots are for students including Dunkin, Ely Harvest, and the Fitness Center. This makes it a sure spot for community growth and bonding through a mutual appreciation of the arts. Nicolas stated, “it is fellow students who are the ones acting, putting on the shows. It creates community because of the fact that it is, like previously stated, intimate; and intimacy invites a sense of welcome.”
