Alpha Psi Omega Presents “Build A Play”
“Build A Play” is a two-day playwriting workshop in which students from all over campus come together to create plays with the props they are given perform their plays the next day.
Alpha Psi Omega (APO) is the theater honor society at Mississippi College. Sponsored by Dr. Phyllis Seawright, this organization exists for students to be able to further students' enjoyment and passion for theater and to spark student interest in the theater program at Mississippi College. Though it consists of only 11 members, APO continues to put on multiple events including their karaoke night, musical screenings, and most recently the “Build A Play” workshop.
“Build A Play” is a two-day playwriting workshop in which students from all over campus come together to create plays with the props they are given perform their plays the next day. On the first night, students come together and form different groups. Each group is assigned a set of props and costumes. From there, the participants decide what their performance will be about and build their play.
“We got this idea from a previous officer who got the opportunity to be a part of a similar event,” said APO President Takaye Farmer. This is only the second year that APO has put on this event, but Farmer hopes that “Build A Play” will become an annual event. She hopes that students will not only have a fun experience producing and performing a play but also enjoy the experience of being in the audience. “It’s been so fun being able to see people come together and perform even if performing isn’t what they typically do,” Farmer said.
For this year’s “Build A Play” workshop, registration was at 6:30 p.m. on March 3 in Aven 107, and the performance was at 6:30 p.m. on March 4 in Anderson Hall. There were two groups, “Podunk Poppins” and “Bombastic Fireworks,” and each group consisted of three to four students.
Before the performance in Anderson Hall, both groups were given a chance to rehearse their plays and ensure that they utilized all props and costumes assigned to them by the APO officers.
The event started with Farmer welcoming the audience and giving an introduction. APO officers explained what the workshop was about and what the registration process was like. Farmer quickly introduced the two competing groups and told the groups to play “Rock, Paper, Scissors” to determine which group was to perform first.
“The performances were really funny and easy to follow,” commented audience member Cassidy Harris. “All the girls I came with had a great time, and I think it was a fun event to come to.”
At the end of the performances, each group was called back onstage to take a final bow before the winner of the competition was announced. The winning group was announced to be “Podunk Poppins.” The group was given gift cards to some of the local fast food restaurants around Clinton.
Like a lot of events hosted by APO, “Build A Play” workshop strives to build a love of theatre and performing in every student. Within this workshop, students get the opportunity to showcase their acting and directing skills but mainly their creativity beyond their academics. The APO organization builds a fun and exciting atmosphere for students who would be willing to participate in their events like“Build A Play.”
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