Rutgers Night Live: The Nightmare Returns

RNL RNL RNL RNL

Did somebody say RNL?

(Besides me)

There you have it folks. Rutgers Night Live is back for its 9th show EVER. *woooo*

One away from ten. The fan fair is almost here. But alas, it must be saved for next semester.

Shark-Kristen is THIS EXCITED for RNL.

What is Rutgers Night Live, you ask?

Only Rutgers University’s PREMIER sketch comedy group.

And by premier, we mean only.

Founded by Demon Dom Nero and Stephen “say-my-name” Hilger, RNL is a completely student written, produced, and directed comedy event. Based out of our very own Cabaret Theatre in New Brunswick, RNL performs one weekend per semester, every semester, for the rest of existence (because it will live on in the Rutgers community forever).

The founders on stage. INTENSE.

Sorry, Dom, I had to.

If my calculations are correct, this is the first show without any original members. However sad that may make me feel, it is also a very exciting thought. RNL has evolved over the past 5 years, and will continue to evolve in the coming years to become a staple towards the Rutgers Comedy Tradition.

Wow. Saying that put me in a nostalgic mood. Here is episode one on Youtube:

Daww aren’t they all so cute and young?

Since I have an insider scoop about the show (cough I’m coordinating it cough), let me give you some insider-deats:

There will be:

• Nine awesome cast members
• One talented host
• One very Rutgers band named Crime Alert
• One very hot theatre (wear light clothing)
• Nine insanely funny sketches
• One even more insanely funny digital short
• And sold out tickets!

Rutgers Night Live IX: Attack of the Hunter Spiders: On Ice? will be at Cabaret Theatre on:

Friday October 3rd at 8:00pm

Saturday October 4th at 8:00pm and a special midnight show at 11:59pm

Tickets are $5 for students and faculty, $7 for ya’ll who don’t go here.

Since RNL sells out so quickly, please reserve your tickets ASAP by emailing cabtheatre@gmail.com with your name, which date and time you would like to attend, and the number of tickets you desire.

The Cast Members and Host of RNL 9, taking a better selfie than the Oscar Selfie.

Here are the names to the faces you will spend 1.5 intimate hours with:

Cody “Cute-Face” Beltis:  Bringing RNL’s sex appeal up by 1000, Cody is a delectable new addition to the group. He loves twerking, rubbing pregnant bellies, and making fun of the news.

Kristen “Crunchy” Ferris- my personal female crush, Kristen is in love with me and only me so don’t even think about it.  You can find her eating goldfish or…eating goldfish.

Abid “The Pipe” Hassan—You won’t understand this reference until you see the show, but Abid stars in one of my favorite sketches and he has a pipe. He also screams the word “MOTHER” a lot. You’ll know it when you see it.

Justice “Douglass” Hehir- Justice is an awesome chick who follows in the footsteps of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.  You can find her at literally every event on Douglass.

Raynee “Wolf Queen” Morris-She is actually a Wolf Queen. I’m not even joking. She was raised by wolves and lived life on the edges of society. Now she likes to study bugs. I don’t get it either.

Katie “Scissorhands” Scheidt-Miss Scissorhands over here decided to make a lot of our costumes/props. Keep an eye out for her signature style. In her spare time, Katie likes to believe she lives in an Anime world and owns many wigs.

Zach “The Frosh” Sinkiewicz—although he is no longer a freshman, Zach is the youngest member of our group. He is our baby and we love him so. Changing his diaper?…not so much.

Natasha “THIS IS ME” Sydor—I can’t write about myself. That’s weird. But I do like poop jokes. Ha ha.

Bob “Omg Date Me” Tarino—Women and men know him by many names. But to us, he is the essence of the Hunter Spider. He is poisonous, and he will strike. Ladies, beware.

And the RNL IX host, Kajoree “Who me?” Bhattacharya—Our fearless navigator during the night of comedy nightmares. She challenges the next host to try and do a better job then she has done. We’ll see, RNL X.

Attempting to dance…

****Interested in being a cast member of RNL? We’ll be having auditions on November 24-26. Bring your funny bone and do your best Jagger! We look forward to meeting everyone (…one of us, one of us…). I’ll make another announcement about this when we approach auditions.****

What’s next at Cabaret Theatre?

• Auditions for the 2014 Directors’ Showcase: Auditions will take place on September 29th and 30th from 7-11 at Cabaret Theatre, with callbacks on October 1st.
• Auditions for Murder Ballad: Auditions will take place on October 6th and 7th from 8pm to Midnight, with Callbacks on October 9th.
• And Dog Sees God! This show goes up in just two weeks, so stay tuned for more information.

I love you all. Come out to RNL. And to auditions. I’ll be giving out lots of hugs (and maybe some kisses)

Did I just unintentionally rhyme? Ew.

N-Shady, out.

New year, New me, New Revue

Testing testing one two one two

Natasha to world, Natasha to world, can you hear me world?

BECAUSE I CAN HEAR YOU.

But I can’t see you because that would be too gosh darn creepy. Unless I find a way to peep through your web camera. Soon…

Cabaret world, prepare yourselves…for the first blog post of the season!!

*cue thunderous applause*

Mmm. Thunder.

And what a season it will be. I must say, I am thoroughly excited to be writing for this blog. Here I am, in my room, wearing a retainer, with a smelly Rutgers t-shirt on, chewing on three packets of gushers (yes I am still wearing my retainer), and there you are, reading this, doing I don’t-even-want-to-know-what. Look at us becoming new friends.

Hi. I’m Natasha.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of sitting in on a rehearsal for Cabaret’s first show of the season:

Unsung Chapters: A Musical Revue

Ta-da!

I asked the two musical directors to give me their best “come to our show” face, and this was the result:

Aren’t they compelling?

Other memorable moments of the run:

-I experienced “dancer envy”. All of the actors and the choreographer were fantastic dancers. It’s not fair. Why can’t I dance like them? Why must I look like a jumping monkey?

- THE Chris Price (Director extraordinaire) shook my hand. He’s almost at celebrity status now, people.

- Sometimes the actors made eye contact with me and sang their hearts out. It was a beautiful moment shared between us. I can’t wait to experience it again during the run this weekend (IT’S MY MOMENT YOU CAN’T HAVE IT)

- “When I Grow Up” from Matilda made me sentimental and want to be a wee little munchkin child again. Ah, to be young.

There are 18 songs in total, spread out between ensemble pieces, solos, and duets. If you pay close attention you will see the delicate story interwoven between each song.

Boy I’m getting deep here.

What kind of music can you expect? I don’t want to be handing out spoilers on a whim, but shows like Pippin, Kinky Boots, American Idiot, and All Shook Up are in the mix.

Here is everything you need to know about this amazing musical production:

Who’s Who?

Production Staff:

- Director: Chris Price

- Assistant Director: Justin Luckenbaugh

- Co-Musical Director: Kyle Buchanan

- Co-Musical Director: Bernadette Burke

- Choreographer: Nicola Keegan

- Stage Manager: Irene Martinez

Cast:

Maryann Slater

Sam Vargas

Christian Muñoz

Michael Maxham

Megan Kalberer

Barrydean Chen

Kelly Lozo

Emily Johnson

Geralyn Williams

Russell Umali

Emily Reineke

“Hey there, boys.”

“A kiss for you, and you, and youu!”

Interested in seeing the show this weekend? Of course you are!

When?

When: Friday, September 5th at 8pm***

Saturday, September 6th at 8pm and 11:59pm

***opening night proceeds will be donated to the Make a Wish Foundation

Where?

Cabaret Theatre, located on the corner of Suydam Street and Nichol Ave on the Douglass Campus

Tickets!

Tickets for incoming first-year and transfer students are $3 (You MUST provide your RUID card in order to receive this discount. Any incoming first-year or transfer students without their cards will pay the full student price).

Tickets for other students/faculty/staff: $5

General admission: $7

Email cabtheatre@gmail.com for advanced reservations. Please specify your name, the number of tickets you wish to purchase, and the date/time of the show you wish to attend. Our shows sell out quickly, so making a reservation is the smart way to get yourself a seat!

Crikey! An actor and a set, in their natural habitat.

So come one, come all, come to the show this weekend! A great night of music and dancer-envy await in your future.

What’s next at Cabaret, you ask? Auditions for our next show “Dog Sees God” (cue Peanuts Theme) and my demon baby Rutgers Night Live IX. Prepare yourselves, world.

N-Shady, out!

Your new friend, Natasha.

Big Starts and a Big Finish! (Audition Information Included!)

It’s just nearing the start of the 2014-2015 season and there are lots of things to be excited about!

(Three things, more specifically.)

And here they are!

Thing One:

For one, we are about to have our FIRST. AUDITIONS. OF. THE SEASON!!!!!

So if you like acting and singing and dancing and reminiscing about your life, then Unsung Chapters: A Musical Revue — directed by the ever-so-awesome Chris Price — is the show for you!!

Auditions will be held in Cabaret Theatre this weekend!!!!!

Here are the specifics borrowed from our Facebook event:
“Auditions and Callbacks will be held in Cabaret Theatre on the following dates:
- Friday, July 18th from 7pm to 11pm (Auditions)
- Saturday, July 19th from 7pm to 11pm (Auditions)
- Sunday, July 20th from 6pm to 10pm (Callbacks)

Ready to audition? Great! Here’s what you need to do:
- Pick 16 to 32 bars of a song that shows off your voice. (This will be a capella.)
- Make a list of all conflicts for the rest of the summer and the first week of school.
- Please include all classes, work times/dates, vacations, appointments, etc. 
- Know your RU ID (you must be a full-time undergraduate student to audition).
- Come on down to Cabaret Theatre on July 18th or 19th and sing your heart out!

Not close enough to Rutgers to come to an audition date? Don’t worry about it! We will be accepting video submissions sent to cmp258@scarletmail.rutgers.edu, producer.cabarettheatre@gmail.com, and artistic.cabarettheatre@gmail.com! All video submissions must include all of the previously mentioned information and, of course, your video!”

Mark your calendars, folks! And get you and your peoples to Cabaret Theatre NOW!!!

[Editor's Note: Not “now." This weekend. The auditions are on the weekend. You just wrote that yourself. Get it right.]

And now for…
Thing Two!

We are looking for tech members for the Revue! If you are interested in lighting or building, then email the following people: me, Allie Kroeper, at producer.cabarettheatre@gmail.com; Steph van Oppen (our Managing Director) at managing.cabarettheatre@gmail.com; and Chris Price (the ever-so-awesome director of the Revue) at cmp258@scarletmail.rutgers.edu.

We can never have too many people, so email away!!

Thing Three:

[Editors Note: This is not the right picture…Also, there is no Thing 3.]

I am sad to say that this is my last post as the Social Media Chair of Cabaret Theatre. And so, in true Hollywood fashion, I must pass on the torch to someone younger and prettier than me.

But never fear! I am only leaving because I am going to be visiting Mars!

[Editor’s Note: You are not an astronaut. This is why you’re being fired. This and the fact that you completely ignore my editor’s notes every time and don’t bother to take them out of your posts before you publish.]

Okay, fine! I’m not really an astronaut. But I am really being replaced as Chair. And who will be replacing me, you ask?……..

……….The one and only, wickedly talented, woman who also happens to be our very own Rutgers Night Live Coordinator (woot, woot!)…..

Natasha Sydor!!!!!

You may recognize Natasha from: RNL’s VII and VIII; Antigone; The Fifth and Sixth Annual Original Play Festivals; [title of show]; and countless other productions!!

Here is a picture of Natasha when we told her that she would be the new Social Media Chair:

See how excited she looks?! One might even mistake that excitement for fear.

But seriously. She is really excited to be taking on this new role, and I wish her the most of fun!

I would wish her luck, but I know she won’t need it :)

And now…
For the last time…..

A-Kroeps out <3

Original Play Festival and Fun Times

Hello, hello, hello!

I have some important and super-cool things to announce, so get ready:

Six diverse shows…

Lots of actors…

And tons of awesome writing skills…

It’s the 6th Annual Original Play Festival!!!

Here’s a picture!

That was a picture!

[This picture features Adaugo Anusionwu and Alex Esposito, who are both in the play I WROTE!!! Not pictured from this show are Andrea Parente (Fellow Actor) and Christen Demnitz (Director).]

Ever wonder how to shovel? Or how much you are worth? Or where you go when you die? Or what coffee you should order? Or what unrequited love feels like? Or what fighting with a significant other feels like???

Then you should TOTALLY come and see the 6th Annual Original Play Festival this weekend to learn a thing or two!!

The Show dates and times are as follows:

Friday, April 25th at 8:00 pm
Saturday, April 26th at 8:00pm
Sunday, April 27th at 7:00pm

Tickets are $7 for students and faculty, and $12 for general admission.

Reserve your tickets by emailing cabtheatre@gmail.com with your name, the number of tickets you would like to reserve, and the date/time of the performance you wish to attend.

Believe me…you WANT to see this show!!!

Here’s another picture!

That was another picture!

[Featured in THAT snapshot are Kate Thomas (Director), Cody Beltis (Actor), and
Kat Beliavski (Actor). Look how wide open Kate is…she’s ready for some OPF love!! (And also she was giving direction because that’s what directors do.)]

Thank you to Justice Hehir for the lovely photography!!!

Annnnnnnd moving on to one final quick thing…

If you are a senior and would like to perform in the Senior Showcase (May 2 at 8pm in Cabaret) then email Meg King and Abigail Nutter at producer.cabarettheatre@gmail.com and marketing.cabarettheatre@gmail.com, respectively, by this Friday (April 25) at 11:59pm!!!

Thank you all for reading and looking and yeah!!!!!

And if you didn’t read or look or yeah, then I don’t know why you’re even here right now.

Anywho!

Good day!

A-Kroeps out!

Bloody Bloody Part 2: The Inside Scoop!

Hello again!!

I am here with a couple of glances into the instant hit that is Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson!

The inside glances for this Inside Cabaret post come from Paige Austin, Co-Stage Manager, and Tom Milburn, Assistant Director!

First up…Paige’s story!

“If there’s anything I’ve learned from my almost year of being a part of Cabaret Theatre, it’s that there’s nothing like watching a play as it transforms. From the beginning to the end, watching the acting go from practices in the basement to a fully decorated set is a beautiful thing. When I was the Assistant Stage Manager for [title of show] I came on a little later than everyone else. With Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, it was different. I saw everything from the beginning and now as we approach the end it’s a little saddening. I remember greeting people when they came to auditions and briefly chatting with some of them and offering some words to calm their nerves. It feels like that was such a long time ago, but in reality it wasn’t. When I first met up with the director, Leah Christians, her passion for the show was definitely contagious. I didn’t even know if I was going to be picked to be a part of the Pro Staff, but I was still really excited. She had so many great ideas, and it has been amazing to see them come to life. A fourteen-member cast is A LOT of people. Having everyone at practice was seemingly impossible, with the crazy/hectic schedules they all have. But as we got closer and finally got everyone in the same room at once, it was really fun to see what each actor brought to the characters they play. Now that I’ve seen the show what feels like 20+ times, I can promise you it never gets old. I literally laugh until I cry every single time I watch it. Every single member of this cast is really talented and has made this show something really special.

The Pro Staff for the show was made up of some seriously talented people as well, and I’m so glad I got to spend this time with them. Leah, Tom, Brian (and THE BAND), Janine and Sasha have done such a kick-ass job. All of their creative contributions have added elements to the show that really take it up a notch. The funny thing to think about is that if ONE person from the cast or crew were different, the show probably wouldn’t be the same. I honestly think this was the perfect group of people to work together. Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson is rebellious, provocative, and hilarious. Seeing the audience respond in such a positive way and watching the cast excel has been amazing. I’m really going to miss spending time with this crazy group of ruffians…”

Well said, Paige. Well said.

And here is Tom’s story!

“I had an absolute blast working on Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. The cast was wonderful, Leah was the coolest, and the show was hilarious. I was initially really nervous about the role of assistant director because I’m not a theater person – the last time I was in one was when I was part of my high school tech crew, like, four years ago. I don’t think it could’ve gone any better, though, and I gained a lot of leadership experience throughout the production process. I had so much fun working with everyone else involved and don’t think I would change a thing.

In addition to helping direct, I ran sound and designed lights for the show. The sound setup for Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson was surprisingly intricate – we had keyboards, basses, guitars, prerecorded material, and microphones to worry about. I’m an aspiring sound engineer, so this was a really fun learning experience and a challenge I took a lot from. It was nice to work with sound reinforcement in the type of space that Cabaret is, and I think the sound design positively contributed to the concert-like atmosphere of the show. The lighting helped with that, too. Designing the lights was a pretty terrifying task for me – I’ve never worked with stage lighting before and had to learn how to do it from scratch. It was stressful, but I learned a ton about lighting design and theatrical design and had a bunch of fun doing it.

In short, being a part of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson at Cabaret this semester was a really great experience.”

Well, there ya have it!

Obviously, this show has been life-changing and completely awesome and fun for all involved!!

Be sure to see the show so that you can soak in all the awesome!!!!!!

The remaining performances are as follows:

April 11th at 8 pm
April 11th at 11:59 pm
April 12th at 8 pm

Tickets:
$7 for Students/Staff/Faculty
$12 for General Admission

**The show contains adult content that may not be suitable for all audiences.

People are sponges.

And shows are water.

Soak in the performances and you will have them forever.

Because human sponges don’t let go.

…

Poetry.

It’s easy if you try it.

Anywho…

I hope to see you at the show!!!

A-Kroeps out!