As the end of their college experience approaches, Point Park acting and musical theater majors prepare for the senior showcase. The yearly showcase is an opportunity for students to perform for industry professionals, agents and casting directors. The showcase is performed in Pittsburgh and in New York City, the central home to many agencies and connections in the theater community.
Students train with leading professionals to help them prepare for this performance. The Pittsburgh shows will be at the Richard E. Rauh Studio Theatre on April 30 and May 2. The students will then travel to the New World Stages in New York City on May 5.
The goal is to feature each individual in a cohesive show while also representing what each student has worked on during their past four years at Point Park.
Cassidy Kramer, a senior acting major, is looking forward to the showcase.
“The past four years we’ve been getting better and better at what we do, finding new techniques, and adding different exercises to our toolbox, as we say,” Krammer said. “Showcase allows us to show everyone how much we’ve grown since high school and now where we fit in the real world of acting, like what kinds of roles we could play once we leave school.”
Much of the showcase involves fundraising due to the costs involved. The seniors hold the responsibility of lowering these funds and making this trip realistic for all involved via fundraising. As a result, a committee board of individuals from the senior class works each year to create fundraising events.
Last semester the board put on multiple different events. In October, there was a “Trick or Treat” event where students enjoyed baked goods and fun pranks in the Lawrence Hall lobby. Following that, the board found success in the “food” events, such as the Sinkers and Suds donut truck in Village Park and the Noodles and Company commercial co-venture. The board also sells flowers at playhouse productions and has ongoing sales supporting the “Blue Bracelet Movement.”
Charlie Kennedy, a senior acting major, had a great time participating in the various fundraisers.
“I’ve specifically loved doing the flower sales for the conservatory shows so people can buy flowers to give to cast members,” Kennedy said, “which I really enjoy because it brings the community and kind of connects with the playhouse.
“Showcase fundraisers are so special because it is a group contributing to all of us moving forward while helping to interact with other students on campus.”
This past week, a “yard sale” fundraiser was held in the Lawrence Hall lobby. This event gave seniors the opportunity to get rid of any old clothes or knick-knacks from their homes, a sentimental send-off as they begin to transition into a new era of life. After the donation period, the items went up for sale with negotiable prices.
Many seniors on the fundraising board say they have a passion for fundraising as much as possible for the New York City trip because of the reality of their career path ahead. Julia Resnick, a senior acting major, admits that while the industry can be difficult, this exact involvement can lead to a better understanding of the future ahead.
“These are really important for us because a lot of the things that we are doing in hopes to advance our careers after college do unfortunately cost good amounts of money,” Resnick said. “The representation attending showcases, such as agents and managers, are hard to make connections and network with, so this opportunity is huge.”
According to the board, fundraising events and opportunities are of extreme importance to the senior showcase. The Point Park theater class of 2025 says they are working diligently to host fun events, such as the “yard sale,” to raise money for the performance.
