Emerging Student Theatre Artists unveils new 2017 season

By Angerlique D’Alessandro
Staff Writer

The Emerging Student Theatre Artists (ESTA) is a campus group for students with a passion for theater, improv, and all aspects of the stage. Members of ESTA have recently announced the performance lineup for their 2017 season.

ESTA is student run, directed and produced. They hold events and put on several productions throughout the year. The donated proceeds of these shows go to Broadway Cares: Equity Fights Aids. They also sell stickers and other merchandise, and accept venmo donations as well.

Isabelle Rutens, vice president of the group, says her experience with ESTA led to finding her passion for improvisation. She recalls joining No Control, the improvisation group of ESTA, as one of the first members. Rutens discovered her desire to pursue improvisation and comedy as a career through the work she has done with ESTA. “The program is a really great way for students to unwind and have fun on stage. It’s also a great way for students to have their own original work actually produced and put on stage for an audience,” Rutens said.

ESTA will start their season this year with a performance called “Never Have We Ever: A Cabaret” followed by “A Musical Improvalooza” taking place on Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. It will feature some members singing pieces of their choice, and others performing a music extravaganza. This event is followed by No Control’s “Halloween Spooktacular” at 11 p.m. Oct. 28. The group is also performing a play written by sophomore musical theatre major, Thea Kraus, titled “Complicated” on Oct. 29 at 6 p.m., about the highs and lows of a lesbian relationship.

Later in the semester, the group will produce “Calvin Berger,” a musical about the struggles of high school, directed by Kayla Bernie, a sophomore arts management major. All productions will take place at the Rifle Range Theatre.

ESTA is still accepting proposals for next semester’s season, and is open to all majors. If interested, submit a proposal 1 1⁄2 to three pages long, including concept, budget, and how it appeals to the club to esta.liupost@gmail.com.