Underwear Society, SFUAD’s resident sketch-comedy group, has just moved into the callbacks phase of auditions for its spring 2016 cast, and writing the show is under way.
Underwear Society Bares All
posted by Zoe Baillargeon
At the end of the semester, few people want to be starting on new projects. But this is when the members of Underwear Society, SFUAD’s student-run sketch comedy group, come together to write and put on their show. For 13 years, Underwear Society has amused College of Santa Fe and now SFUAD students with its antics, putting on one show per semester during finals. Shows usually are held in the Weckesser Studio Theatre in the Greer Garson Theater, but this semester, due to changes within the theater department, the show will go on in Alumni Hall. The show consists of sketches written individually by members or collectively as a group, using pop culture, campus life, awkward situations, and over-the-top characters for inspiration. Between scenes, each member has a scene to showcase their “Indulgence.” “It’s three to five minutes of a solo performer performing solo!” laughs Jacey Ellis when asked to define what an “Indulgence” is. In essence, it’s a moment for a performer to perform whatever they want so the audience can “familiarize themselves with the performer.” Gathering in the acting lab in the Greer Garson Theatre on Dec. 8, members swap scripts and pitch ideas for scenes. Although the group routinely dissolves into giggles, everyone quickly refocuses their attention on the huge task of compiling and rehearsing a show in only a week. “It feels amazing to be a part of something you’ve wanted to do for so long,” enthuses new member Elizabeth Anderson, a performing arts senior who has been auditioning for acceptance into the group since her sophomore year. In addition to Anderson, senior members Jacey Ellis, Joey Beth Gilbert, and Michael Pepp welcomed new members Marjorie Solo, Hamilton Turner, RJ Henkel and Darrell Luther to the team this semester. When asked what attracted them to sketch comedy, each member had unique answers that spoke to the versatility of the art form. “It’s the fleeting nature of the form,” says Marjorie Solo, a creative writing and literature major. “A sketch, like a poem, is only with you for a short period of time. The temporary nature is very appealing.” Michael Pepp, a theater major who has been with the group for four years, agrees. “It’s about being able to have the freedom of movement, of worlds, and the togetherness of laughter.” All agreed that virtues such as respect and open-mindedness were essential qualities for members of a comedy group to have in order to work well together, with RJ Henkel commenting that such qualities gives the group “more freedom to be completely outrageous.” Another interesting discussion point was the difference of opinion over how important being a good writer was to being a good comedian. “I don’t think you can be a good comedian without being a good writer,” says Henkel, who joined the group in the hopes of improving his writing skills, whereas Solo contends that “the writing comes second to the comedic brain and comedic timing; being able to see the world and take comedic material from it.” Hamilton Turner, who has assisted with previous Underwear shows but is enjoying his first show as an official member, preferred to walk the line by agreeing that “it’s definitely important,” but also pointing out that many professional comedians now have writers working for them to help better craft their material. In the end, though, everyone is dedicated to working together to put on the best show possible. Free performances take place this Friday Dec. 12 at midnight and Saturday Dec. 13 at 11 p.m. in Alumni...
Q/A: Jacey Ellis
posted by Zoe Baillargeon
Tickling a whole student body’s funny bone may sound like a daunting task, but Jacey Ellis makes it look easy. In addition to being a senior in the Creative Writing and Literature Department, Ellis is one of the senior-most members of Underwear Society, SFUAD’s only sketch comedy group, which at the end of each semester puts on a show written and performed solely by students. Jackalope Magazine sat down with Ellis to discuss her three years in Underwear Society and her passion for comedy. Jackalope Magazine: Why did you want to join Underwear Society? Jacey Ellis: Probably for the same reason anyone wants to join. You go see a show and you can’t believe it’s all students doing everything. But I think probably one of the most important things about the group and why I wanted to join is that it’s such a healthy culture to promote, of comedy on campus, especially amongst students. JM: What attracts you to sketch comedy? JE: What doesn’t?! Probably because it doesn’t have to be about any one certain thing, it doesn’t have to ever be written a certain way, so there’s a lot of room for improv, which we do, interpretation, and everything like that. But sketch comedy is its own weird little genre of things, and as a performer you can always change or manipulate that to make it all about you or more funny or anything. It’s great. JM: What’s the process of preparing an Underwear Society sketch? JE: Oh, lots of tears…and liquor! But I would say, for mine in particular, I can’t speak for the group, I usually start with either some ridiculous characteristic that is common on campus or that’s really popular. Sophomore year I wrote about a roommate that yells a...
SFUADcast: Hamilton Turner...
posted by Nick Martinez
Entering his senior year, Hamilton Turner has a lot on his plate. Between a full class schedule, directing a show and Underwear Society—the student run sketch comedy group—Turner has hit the ground running. Turner recently sat down with the SFUADcast to talk about his upcoming projects. Last week, Underwear Society, which has been active for 13 years going back to the CSF days, held auditions for the new season. Turner is joined by Jacey Ellis, Michael Pepp and Darrell “DLou” Luther, as the elder statesmen of the group. Starting last year, Underwear Society took a unique turn in casting CWR major Ellis and CMP major DLou. Turner hopes to continue that trend of branching out across campus. “There’s an interesting thing to be said about keeping it open to the entire campus,” said Turner. “That opens the door to a lot of things that we can do.” An even fresher element for the new year is Underwear Society inching towards a more improv-based entertainment, rather than what has been traditionally scripted comedy. Turner directed Small Craft Warnings, a one act by Tennessee Williams, last semester after being encouraged by the Performing Arts Department. He returns this semester to direct Hotline by Elaine May, a dramedy surrounding a suicide hotline. “I think that it will play well with some of the other shows in the season,” he said, “because they are all completely different.” Aside from senior Matt McMillan, who stars in the show, Turner is excited that the cast mostly consists of freshmen and transfer students, singling out Madeleine Garcia in particular. “She had a really interesting take on the character, which is what I was drawn to, that’s why I cast her,” he said. “[Her performance] was really simple, really instinctual, I’m really excited...
Jackalope Magazine is the student magazine of Santa Fe University of Art and Design. Building on the interdisciplinary nature of our education, we aim to showcase the talent of our university and character of our city.
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