Cast members perform onstage in Purple Rose Theatre’s production of “Roadsigns” in 2020. Purple Rose is one of many local theaters with affordable ticket options. Courtesy of Sean Carter Photography
Alice McGuire
Contributor
“In a world with film, why do we have theater?” is one of the first questions which Emily Levickas asks of her theater appreciation classroom at Washtenaw Community College.
This is a question which she returns to throughout the semester as her class is often the first setting in which students have spent time with the art form.
With this in mind, Levickas pays special attention to the elements which make up theater, while painting a broad image of what it can be.
“I’m hopeful that even just going once makes students realize ‘Oh, this is an environment that I’m welcome in.’” said Levickas.
Levickas encourages anyone interested in live theater to “look online” at just how many amazing opportunities there are to see local productions at relatively affordable rates.
“Even if it’s not your favorite thing, it’s still worth talking about why you didn’t love it and what could have been better. I find that the more you go and experiment and see different companies and different universities and different productions, you’ll start realizing ‘Oh, this is the kind of show I love!’” she said.
Participating in theater, however, is what prompted Levickas to dedicate her life to it.
“I could pretend and branch out into these new identities and these new possibilities for who I could become, and not stick in this place of being shy and nervous. That’s what really made me fall in love with it,” she said.
Get involved
Whatabout Theatre specializes in improv and offers classes, jams (free and open to all levels, with a $5 suggested donation), and the Revolving Stage program, in which aspiring directors are given the chance to pitch and produce a long-form, structured show with near complete creative control.
“There’s so much room for people at any spot on their improv journey to join the community, feel welcomed and supported, try new things, and fail miserably. And that’s where some of the best moments on stage come from–those little failures that the team supports and lifts up.” said Whatabout Theatre president, Michelle Weiss.
Weiss emphasized Whatabout Theatre’s dedication to “lifting up underrepresented voices” and ensuring “that the community has a voice in the direction of the theater.”
“We are a non-profit, and we are dedicated to access. If you want to take improv classes at Whatabout Theatre, reach out to us, and we’ll see what we can do to make that financially available to you,” said Weiss.
When asked about the Revolving Stage program, Weiss acknowledged that long-form shows and directing do tend to necessitate a bit of experience, but encouraged those who are interested not to be hesitant due to perceived barriers.
“We recognize that there are different levels of access for different folks. So if you’re interested–if you have a show idea to pitch, if you want to audition or get involved–we want to hear from you,” she said.
“Even if you don’t meet the qualifications on paper, we encourage folks to apply anyway. We offer support and mentorship to folks who are selected to be our directors or who are cast in our productions because we want to foster new talent.”
Theaters in Washtenaw County
Eastern Michigan University Sponberg Theatre
University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
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