Although the name suggests otherwise, First Year Players is a University CIO enjoyed by students of all years. The group spotlights first years by casting only first-year actors and a first-year stage manager, but the director, artistic staff and technical crew are made up of students of all different years.
"FYP is a student theater organization which emphasizes bringing first years and transfer students into the theater community," second-year College student Jia Tolentino said.
The receptive attitude toward first years is what second-year College student Laura Harris said attracted her to FYP last year.
"Having something that was really open to first years was appealing," Harris said.
Though it may sound like first year is the peak of students' FYP involvement, Tolentino stressed that all years contribute to the success of the performance.
"It's one of the most tight-knit communities you'll find," Tolentino said. "Once you're in the cast, [even if you're not a first-year student], you're still very much a part of the community."
Although the actors spend more time together initially -- Tolentino said practice is for four hours a day, Sunday through Thursday -- Harris, who works on the technical staff, said they form a community as well.
"Everyone kind of comes together for tech week," Harris said. "It's 48 hours of a huge tech blitz that's really fun. You meet so many new people. It's intense, but it's really cool."
Tolentino, who acted in FYP's spring performance of "Fiddler on the Roof," said she was not nervous before the show even though it was her FYP debut.
"Honestly, I wasn't nervous because I was just in the chorus," Tolentino said. "I thought it was a really good show."
Even though Harris was not acting on stage, she said she was a bit nervous before her first FYP production, their fall performance of Pippin.
"That's part of why people do it, not necessarily the nervousness, but the adrenaline," Harris said.
Harris said while it may seem like the technical crew does not have much to be nervous about, there's more than meets the eye.
"If actors make a mistake, it's one thing," Harris said. "But tech is supposed to be mechanical. It's supposed to be this unseen, perfectly run thing. My high school teacher used to say, 'If you do your job the best you can, people won't even notice you.'"
FYP's fall production this year is "Once Upon A Mattress." Harris said she is working on the technical staff again, and though Tolentino is not directly involved with this production, she is confident it will be another great show.
"I think it's going to be fantastic," Tolentino said. "The director is hilarious, and all the artistic staff is brilliant."
Although neither Harris nor Tolentino are interested in theater as a career, both said their involvement in FYP has been a positive part of their college experience.
"I'm in it for the people," Tolentino said. "I think there's something really special in theater being something you create with people."
Read More
It’s okay not to be okay
By Mai Hukuoka | 3 days agoWhether talking to a friend, a loved one or a professional, it is so necessary, and human, to need more than you can provide for yourself.
Taking a break at Tangerines Kitchen
By Charley Thomas | 5 days agoWhat the restaurant somewhat lacks in ambiance, it compensates for in tasty dishes and prompt service.
Virginia Policy Lab — a hub for student-led policy action
By Katherine Haden | December 9, 2024Students propose their own projects and collaborate with other members to research their issues of interest, brainstorm solutions and write policy proposals.
