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By Matthew Collier | Newsreporter

A new longer run time, improved stage equipment, comedic aspects, a study abroad student as lead, is what’s new this fall for JCU’s theatre collective, the Performing Arts Company.  

Their recent performance of The Game’s Afoot was shown from Nov. 24 through Nov. 26 at the Teatro Agora.  

The Game’s Afoot is a murder mystery with a Christmas theme. The play was written by Ken Ludwig in 2012 and won the Edgar Award for Best Play in 2012. 

“We’re now moving into aspects that are bigger productions,” said Assistant Director Kaitlyn Meule. “[One] that the students can be able to handle…a two-hour, two-and-a-half-hour musical, rather than a shorter musical.” 

The theatre collective re-started two years ago after taking a break due to the pandemic and rotates between fall plays and spring musicals. Previous performances have included Puffs, Jekyll and Hyde, The Wizard of Oz, and Shakespeare plays. 

This fall’s production was particularly different due to new props that the company now has at their disposal. 

“This is something we hope to continue, they’re learning a little bit more from each production,” said Director James Blundell.  

New props like breakaway glass this semester create a physical aspect not present in their previous productions and an opportunity for all students to learn more backstage, says.  

The comedic aspects have been uncharted territory for the theatre collective.  

“I think the element of comedy is a lot different in this as well,” said Meule. “This is the first time that the company has dealt with farcical comedy. So, comedy that goes into comedic and physical extremes.” 

Another new aspect of the play is a study abroad lead. 

Gap-year student from London, Alexander Newman, plays the lead role of William Gillette, a Broadway star and playwright who performed in the play Sherlock Holmes. 

Newman said he has enjoyed his time with the collective and encourages others to join and participate in future productions. 

“I think it’s a nice way to meet people outside of your classes and just have a bit of a laugh,” said Newman.  

According to Federica Bocco, Assistant Director of Engagement and coordinator of the Performing Arts Company, the number of study-abroad students that participate in the theatre collective’s productions varies from three to seven. Assistant Director of Student Services

Bocco said that some plays, such as the spring musicals, require more crew assistance. Still, the fall plays require less, and the number of study-abroad students who participate fluctuates. 

Early in the semester, the Student Engagement Office held an interest meeting regarding the collective. It was hailing outside, but Bocco said she was “pleased to see that many students were interested in the play.” 

“There were at least fifty people in that room, and it was just so heartwarming to see,” said Bocco. 

Due to the increased interest in the collective in this play, they cast understudies, which they do not consistently do. Understudies are actors responsible for covering a supporting or lead role. 

“We’ve been really happy seeing how committed some of these students are,” said Bocco. 

Cast members credited Blundell and Meule, too, with giving them more artistic liberty with their characters than they were used to. 

“One culture shock for me was the staff, the assistant director, and the director were very open to changes to the character,” said student actor, Nathan Flores, who plays Inspector Gorring in the play. “I’m in a more artistic space now, rather than a military one. So, I’m really grateful to be here, everybody’s nice, whereas back home, it’s like the director has an absolute say in how you must act.” 

For their Spring production, the collective is performing the musical Heathers written by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy. 

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