Thursday, April 25, 2024
From Playground to Broadway
News - Carnegie Mellon University: The circus has come to Broadway and the musical team behind it has been clowning around together since their freshman year at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama. But clowning around is serious work for PigPen Theatre Co. This band of storytellers, made up of seven CMU alumni (Alex Falberg, Arya Shahi, Ben Ferguson, Curtis Gillen, Dan Weschler, Matt Nuernberger, and Ryan Melia) has created and produced imaginative musical works that have been performed all over the world.
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4 comments:
Theoretically, I’m very aware of how notable CMU School of Drama is within the larger theater world. When I first got in, I looked up famous alumni, I figured out who on Broadway was a CMU alum, and I watched excitedly as CMU presented at the Tony awards. However, it is still completely crazy to me every time someone from CMU has a huge accomplishment or hits it big. The fact that PigPen started here at CMU as group of friends working on a playground piece, something that I’ve done with my own friends, completely blows my mind. These artists were able to grow from creating art just for fun and presenting it to their friends and family to making it for huge audiences on Broadway, the majority of whom may not even know their names. It’s inspiring to see people achieve their dreams and create something wonderful, especially when I know that only a little over 15 years ago, they were dreaming those dreams where I’m dreaming mine.
Experiencing my first playground last year was so incredibly cool. I was somewhat disappointed in my lack of involvement in pieces but regardless had so much fun viewing all of the work that other people had created– some of which was genuinely insanely good. And with all of the super talented artists at this school it is no surprise to hear that a group of people took their experience from playground and expanded it into something bigger and better. It is so inspiring to see all of the cool things that we are able to create, and that a school student works festival could bring you to broadway with some of your close friends and peers from college. I am going to see Water for Elephants over the summer as a longtime Grant Gustin fan, and it is so so cool to know that I will be seeing work from alumni.
How very thrilling. Of course, everyone who goes to CMU for drama knows how impressive of a school CMU is. Then we work here, and, of course, get frustrated by the challenges, and simultaneously inspired and astounded by all of the geniuses around us. It’s amazing to know that one day the very people I sit next to for lunch, or work with in shows, or pass the lobby, are going to be extremely successful. Every day I see someone whose artistry inspires. It is amazing and gratifying. It’s a solid reminder of why we put ourselves through such rigorous training every day, and why we live at Pernell 40 hours a day. Playground has long been down to thrilling Theatre pieces. Some silly, and for fun, some genius and sincere. PigPen, congratulations on water for elephants and your previous work. I know it will all only grow and continue to inspire.
I have been hearing whisper about Water for Elephants rating through playground and am so proud of these young artists for continuing to create together after being inspired from playground. I feel like this situation and success is an example of why playground if a crucial part of our curriculum. It is so important to collaborate and use the skills you are developing in classes in a less sheltered environment and I truly believe CMU and the school of drama would have a completely different energy to the school if we did not have this festival to cultivate our skills and explore in a less safe environment. Playground is one of the reason I chose to go to CMU and one of the first things I tell people about my college experience if they ask. I hope to get to see Water for Elephants when I am next in New York if it is still running and look forward to looking at production pieces. This gives inspiration for playground this tear and I can't wait to see what we as a school create.
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