Theater guru Bertolt Brecht once said that, “From the start it has been the theater’s business to entertain people … it needs no other passport than fun.” This is the goal of the theater group on campus, Wig and Candle: to revive the spirit of artistic expression on the Connecticut College campus.
Founded by sophomores Molly Clifford and Grant Jacoby, Wig and Candle is an attempt to draw students – who may not have the opportunity to perform in a main stage production during their four years here – into the spotlight. Their unique name was found in the school’s archives and was the name of the first theater group at Conn. With the centennial celebration approaching, the duo found it only appropriate to give some credit to the founders of theatrical expression on campus.
Previously at Conn there have been two other theater clubs that have since fizzled out; the first being Group Art Attack, the second being last year’s Theater Foundations. Although Clifford calls the task “a little daunting,” she has been inspired by all the interest the club has received. She hopes to promote different styles of theater than are typically shown on campus. For example in the beginning of December the club will put on the small two-person show The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown. The show, completely student-run, will be directed by Clifford, star Jacoby and fellow sophomore Talia Curtin; musical direction will be done by Ben Zacharia, also a sophomore.
This semester the club will put on two one act plays directed by seniors Kristen Kerr and Adam Berard. Kerr will also be directing a Stephen Sondheim Cabaret, which will be performed at the end of October. Berard is excited about the new direction the club is taking. “[I] am excited for Wig and Candle to put life in the theater department.” He was also happy to note that the theater department has completely backed the student endeavors.
Clifford says she was inspired to start the club because, “I think it is important to involve people who might be intimidated by main stage productions and want to take a stab at any area of theater.” She emphasized that it will be nice to give the opportunity in the fall for those who cannot be involved in the main stage productions to have their chance.
Jacoby is thrilled with his role in the club.
“There is a lot of interest in theater on campus. We want to build up that community.” He is confident from the overwhelming student interest shown so far that, “slowly but surely this group will become its own entity. I am excited to see where the future is.”
Clifford has similar visions for the club. “It is important for a club like this to develop that student talent,” she said. “The only way to have powerful productions in the senior directed slot is if people have experience and develop that skill.”
The Last Five Years: December 2, 3, 4
Sondheim Song Cycle: Friday, October 29
A Night of One Acts: Date TBD
