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While many would initially jump to the performance side of a production, the crew members are also vital for the success of a show. Kat Thomas, a junior journalism major with a minor in theatre performance, serves as the organization's secretary and assistant director for “U.S. Drag.”

As the assistant director, they are the bridge between cast and crew. 

“Theatre is an ever-evolving form of storytelling and entertainment, and to be able to have a group that shares that love, even if it’s not a main focus, is a very beautiful thing,” Thomas said. 

Thomas’ involvement in theatre has changed over their time at ������, which includes a change in their major from theatre to journalism. 

“I've always been interested in storytelling, primarily entertainment,” Thomas said. “Along the way, I realized I wanted to do a form of storytelling where I was reaching out to people in multiple different ways, so I figured performing arts journalism was probably the best way to go about it.” 

Students can have a lot to juggle in their schedules. A benefit of this organization is more flexibility in scheduling, and the ability to find roles that can better fit their availability. 

“As a journalism and theatre student, there isn't a lot of free time in my schedule,” Thomas said. “I wanted to make sure I could contribute as much to a show as I could without having to rearrange my entire schedule.” 

Thomas has been a member of Curtain Call since inception and their first year as a student, and said the organization has become an important part of their college experience, emphasizing the lasting impact of theater as a form of communication. 

“One of my favorite people in the world would always emphasize, ‘When words fail, music speaks,’” Thomas said. “That is something I hold very close and dear to my heart, and this club is also very close and dear to my heart.” 

For Benjamin Reed, a junior digital media production major with a minor in creative writing, theatre has provided an opportunity to explore his creative interests while developing relationships with other students. 

Reed has been involved with Curtain Call since his first year and currently plays Christopher in the organization's production of “U.S. Drag.” 

“One of my favorite parts of theatre is just how much community is around it,” Reed said. “These people come in here every day, and we perform for each other and obviously for ourselves. But it’s just working with so many wonderful people.” 

Reed reiterated how unique Curtain Call for the variety of people that can get involved with the group. He mentioned students in previous performances in nursing, education and business, which were all brought together by a shared interest in theatre 

“They don’t have to be here. They want to be here,” Reed said. “We're all choosing this, and I think that’s the most valuable thing.” 

Reed said that theatre is a big part of their identity, and having a group like this to keep pursuing his passion is important. 

“Even when my life gets so busy, where I have the show going on and I have this assignment and this class, no matter how much it puts me on the ropes, I always come back to it,” Reed said. “Because that moment when you wrap up a show and people love it, and the whole cast and crew and everyone is just so proud, nothing beats that feeling.” 

The organization’s welcoming environment has also attracted new members, including first-year students, who are also getting big roles in the show. 

Georgia Burtnett, a first-year student, is participating in her first Curtain Call production and is in a leading role as Angela. Burtnett is an American Sign Language interpreting major with a minor in theatre performance. Her hope is to use her studies to land a job interpreting live theatre after graduation. 

“I was really interested in doing theatre here,” Burtnett said. “I saw that this was student-run, and I was really excited about possibly joining it because it just sounded like a great opportunity to showcase people who weren't necessarily in the BFA program.” 

Burtnett described the professionalism of other members, and her excitement to be able to work with a script that is loose and open to interpretation. She said the transition from high school was a slight jump, but she has accepted the challenge.

“The process has been fast-moving and somewhat challenging. It challenges me, but that's what I was looking for here, and I'm glad I found that,” Burtnett said. 

Finding the right student organization can be crucial to finding your community in college. Like many other students first getting to campus, she also felt uncertainty about where she would fit in. 

“Before joining, I was kind of like, ‘I don’t know many people here. I don’t know what clubs to join.’ Once I was cast in this, I found people that I really enjoyed being around,” Burtnett said. “I'm really grateful for this opportunity because I can see myself sticking with this, and it's something I'm really passionate about.” 

With previous one-acts, a miscast cabaret, a full-length production and hopes for a musical in the future, Curtain Call offers a lot of options to grow your theatre chops either as a performer or in the crew. 

Curtain Call's production of “U.S. Drag” will take place Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. in the Kiva Auditorium. Admission is free.