"The Wolves" Photoshoot Sparks Ideas

            Something new and exciting happened in the ONU Theatre Department last weekend. In preparation for the play showing this weekend, “The Wolves” by Sarah DeLappe, the girls in the cast participated in a semi-professional photoshoot! Haley Ward (musical theatre class of 2019) spoke about her experience: “It was really encouraging. Each girl went up one by one…” She explained how each girl had the opportunity to take some solo shots, showing off their personality, but it wasn’t easy for everyone. She went on to point out most women are really insecure about their bodies, however if they feel comfortable and proud, their bodies can be such a source of power. The all-female cast of “The Wolves” portrays a high school women’s soccer team, a group of women that depend on their bodies to play the sport they love. Actors also use their bodies as instruments too, but even so, it is still not easy to be yourself in front of a camera when you’re worried about looking good. Haley said it was a great experience for the girls as a team because they were all so encouraging to each other.

A snapshot of a photo from the
shoot being edited! These gorgeous
ladies are in the junior musical theatre
class (MT19).

            This photoshoot has inspired and excited some people I have talked to in the department. Students are asking the faculty if we could do something similar to this for every show. This particular set up was done especially for the Wolves, and I’ve participated in one other outdoor photoshoot for another play here, but we don’t usually do any kind of publicity photos. There is a photo-call for every show and some photos taken during the last dress rehearsal, but by that time, the pictures are mainly for the purpose of the designers, directors, and actors to use after the show. Both the students and the faculty in the theatre arts department want to improve our advertisement of the shows and our presence on social media. We are in the process of implementing new rules and ideas. One thing we have now is an assigned rehearsal photographer in the cast who is allowed to have their phone out to take pictures during rehearsals, with the idea that we can document the process on social media. However we are still trying to figure out consistency with who is allowed access to the photo, when they are taken and shared, and who is posting the photos.

            I personally think the Theatre Arts Department should have someone assigned to handle the official social media all year round. Our faculty is just too busy to do it on top of teaching. So much more could be communicated with one person in charge. There could be photos up every other day about what is going on in the department. They could go to every event and live tweet and take video, as long as it’s not a show. They could collect and post photos much more often. They could highlight our students and faculty, showing everything and anything that goes on in the department. It could give perspective students so much insight and feed their excitement. It could pull more students in to come see our productions. It could only do good things, and I plan on encouraging our department to move forward with this.

            In attempt to assist their social media marketing and promotion, I invite you to go see “The Wolves” this weekend in The Freed Center Studio Theatre, February 22-24 at 7:30pm and February 24 & 25 at 2:00pm. These ladies have put in so much hard work and deserve a large turnout at their “big game!”