” Students reading scripts ” The Xavierite
Saint Xavier University’s (SXU) Drama Club’s 2024 play is currently in production. Auditions were held for “The Slayers Sect,” an original play written by John Street lll, Drama Club’s Vice President and The Xavierite Newspaper Opinions Editor. Auditions took place on Thursday, Sept. 12, with callbacks following on Sept. 13.
All video auditions were to be sent to Street and were due by Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. The play takes place on Nov. 1 and possibly Nov. 2, as well.
Before auditions, Drama Club held a meeting on Sept. 9 to recruit new members including Cast Members, Set Designers, Tech. Crew, and a Promotions Director. All SXU students were invited and welcome to attend.
“The Slayers Sect” is based upon four monster hunters in a small town called Murdock. Each hunter is said to be responsible to stop a coven of vampires from obtaining an all-powerful weapon.
Originally Street was writing the play to be a short story for his website ScribeAve.com where he shares his writings, some including short stories, series, and more. It took Street two weeks to write “The Slayers Sect,” which was inspired by some 90s shows, one being “Charmed.”
“I wanted to include some 90s vibes,” shared Street.
The main cast, monster hunters, consists of 4 people, split into pairs, with an A and a B plot. Street created pairs so there is an even amount of work being completed between the 4 cast members. Additionally, there are 4 main antagonists, vampires, who have their own dynamic with one of the main characters. “I work better when writing in pairs in terms of characters. I wanted it to be an ensemble so this was a compromise,” shares Street.
Other roles that were available consisted of a narrator, two side characters, and a corpse.
13 students auditioned for a role in the play, with six new members and the rest returning from previous years. According to Street, there are 12 roles available, one being a non-speaking role. After call backs, The Drama Club Executive Board which includes Street, Audrey O’Connor, Drama Club President, and Richard Hurley, Secretary and Stage Manager, all determined who will attain which role.
The cast list consists of; Paul Johnson, Kennedy Wilson, Dono Wilson, Ellie Anderson, Will Terrazas, Audrey O’Connor, Donovan Truty, Deana Elhit, Anahi Gomez, John McNamara, Jordy Esparza, and Alex Loaiza.
Street expresses always accepting more members to join their team, however, after casting is completed they are unable to add any additional roles. Drama Club is currently looking for more crew members and a promotions director.
Paul Johnson, Drama Club member, expressed everyone having the chance to be in a role. Everyone was able to portray alternate characters to see which one works best for them.
“I am excited to see what’s next. I have done theater for eight years. I started as a freshman in highschool and I like how it feels like a family here. The different plays have different genres so you can experience and act out many themes,” shared Ellie Anderson, student.
Street remarked on choosing the theme this year to try something new. He had mentioned Drama Club normally sticking to comedy, and wanting to switch to “a more serious vibe” while also having a good comedic factor.
Last school year, Drama Club produced a play called “Games of Tiaras,” a “Game of Thrones” and Disney princess parody. The play starred Street, Nuala Hanlon, Luis Garcia and Shealyn Scott.
The play was labeled as not a comedy or parody, but a tragedy. It took place on March 22–23, 2024. Drama club had also collaborated with The Green Movement, collecting donations at the door for Latinas Mujeres en Acción, an organization that supports survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
For those unable to attend the show and who would like to read the script, Street will be reformatting and uploading it to his website.
For more information pertaining to Drama Club, contact, oconnor.a04@mymail.sxu.edu or street.j01@mymail.sxu.edu.
*Correction was made on Wednesday September 25 regarding a missing role in Street’s title, Opinions Editor for The Xavierite Newspaper*
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