As most Brandeisians are eagerly moving back into their dorms and leisurely reacquainting themselves with campus, those students who are active in our theater community are already getting back to work, preparing for this fall's theater season.

The Undergraduate Theater Collective has a very impressive lineup this fall for both students to take part in and for audiences to enjoy. With a total of eight shows already planned to grace the stages of campus theaters this semester, the Justice asked for a backstage look at the UTC's upcoming plans.

For those who are unfamiliar with the group, the UTC encompasses five theater clubs: Brandeis Ensemble Theater, Boris' Kitchen, Brandeis Players, Hillel Theater Group and Tympanium Euphorium. Each of these clubs has at least one show in the works for this semester, in addition to the collaborative 24-Hour Musical, which will be sponsored by both Tympanium Euphorium and Hillel Theater Group.

UTC Coordinator Alyssa Bickoff '15 was eager to share with JustArts her excitement for "such a full and diverse season this semester. Our current lineup of shows is: the 24-Hour Musical, 1959 Pink Thunderbird: Laundry and Bourbon / Lone Star, Boeing-Boeing, Almost, Maine, Edges, Children's Hour, BK's Big Show, and [BET's] Quickies."

Bickoff also divulged that some of Brandeis' other performance groups outside of the UTC umbrella have dynamic shows in the works, echoing the cooperative attitude that is so affectionately engrained into our theater community.

"We are also excited that Hold Thy Peace is producing Hamlet and Free Play is producing two shows, including Kennedy's Children and Stuff Happens," she said.

Each of Brandeis' theater groups absolutely shines individually, and this semester is no exception to the way that the unique energy of each club translates to very distinct, very passionate performances. Take Brandeis Players, a group dedicated to representing the non-musical aspect of theater.

Like any member of the theater community, Players' President Dave Benger '14 wrote fondly of his club in an email to the Justice. "Players was my first Brandeis theater home," he says, going on to express his excitement for their upcoming production of Boeing-Boeing: "I think Boeing-Boeing really speaks to our core mission, which is just producing solid quality straight plays that entertain and/or challenge the audience in some way."

Boeing, Boeing is an uproarious, scandalous production about a bachelor who is simultaneously engaged to three stewardesses, and when he can't keep his lies straight, the play picks up hilarious momentum. "It is one of the few comedies gracing the Brandeis stages this season," Benger adds.

A club that is more focused on experimental and student-created performances, Brandeis Ensemble Theater, also has big plans in the works. BET co-coordinator Erica Haas '14 echoed the enthusiastic sentiments of Bickoff and Benger, saying: "I am really excited for the fall season. I am so thrilled to be working as co-coordinator along with Melanie Pollock '14 this year ... BET is bringing three productions to the student body this semester. Our first production of the season will be a side project, 1959 Pink Thunderbird: Laundry and Bourbon / Lone Star, directed by Phil Skokos '15, which will run [in] October. BET's mainstage production, Almost, Maine, which will be directed by Bethany Greenbaum '16, will occur two weeks later. Finally, BET will end the fall season with Quickies, BET's Annual One-Act Festival in December."

The club will be hard at work, it seems, throughout the semester to continue their high-energy performing legacy.
First up this season will be the 24-Hour Musical, which is a dependable and beloved favorite, especially since it is the first opportunity for first-years to dive into the college theater scene. Tymp and HTG band together for this performance, conveniently named for its ludicrous preparation time-only 24 hours, and 24 hours straight, mind you.

The musical is always a joyful way to kick off the season, so keep your eye out for ticket sales in mid-September. With such a jam-packed lineup of incredible shows, you won't want to miss a single one.