The completely student-run program LunchBox Theatre is starting out this semester with new shows and a larger cast than usual.
“It gives people who don’t have time for a main stage show to get their theatre fix,” said Janna Tessman. “It’s an opportunity to do theatre that most don’t otherwise do.”
Drama club funds Lunch Box Theatre and Drama Club members Tessman, president Tiara Herr and Katie Mortemer direct different scenes in the upcoming shows. LunchBox Theatre is a place for peers to present various shows including lunch shows, dinner shows, improvisation skits, plays and a musical. Each performance is an hour long.
Usually LunchBox Theatre has a cast of about five, but this year they consist of a 14-member cast. Those 14 include freshmen and upperclassmen that have not acted with the group yet. They are also breaking new records with diversity in genders.
“Four boys out of 14, that’s a record,” said Tessman.
This year’s goals for LunchBox are to spread the word and bring in new faces, said Tessman, “We’re going to do mail slips and I’m working with an art student to design a poster.”
This year, CASSS has also agreed to provide a free lunch to attendees of the noon performance of LunchBox on Nov. 10.
All the performances take place in Warner Hall Room 5, or better known by the theatre department as the “Black Box.” The environment of the Black Box is more intimate than the main stage ,said Tessman.
Five years ago, Lunch Box Theatre started out as a senior project by Lindsey Mulleusblem, Jessica Portney and Matthew Sa. This project was created when the Forest Grove campus all shared the same lunch times. It was convenient for the campus to come together and enjoy LunchBox Theatre said Tessman.
The next LunchBox Theatre performance will be held on Nov. 10.
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