Doing what is expected of you can make you good at something, but it is the time spent going above and beyond of what is required that can make you great.
Junior theatre major Adam Leasure agrees with this philosophy when it comes to his theatrical aspirations and how he spends his time outside of the classroom.
“Some of the actors in the theatre department think that what they do in class is enough, but it’s not,” Leasure said.
His concern fueled his desire to assist in creating the new student-led organization, the Monologue Club. After discussing the idea with friends, senior Kayli Kendall started the group a week before Thanksgiving break. Kendall said she had not been able to practice drama for a while and needed a place to experiment outside of the classroom. She said she wanted to include different types of acting to strengthen her abilities. Leasure also said he had the desire for a place to explore multiple schools of acting.
“We wanted to work on monologues, audition preparation and things that we don’t get a lot of specific attention on in the department,” sophomore Claire Hayostek said.
The club had 15 attendees the first week and has typically seen six or seven since then. Club activities mostly include performing monologues, duets and improvisational games. The main focus is to get people to try things that they have not before, according to Kendall. It has led some to perform Shakespearean monologues and others in the modern comedy genre.
“We do play improv games, but at the same time, it’s also work,” Leasure said. “We’re not just a come-have-a-good-time club.”
Members are excited and thinking of ideas for the future. Leasure would like to host a “night of improv.”
“It would be unscripted and based off audience suggestions,” Leasure said. “We would keep it Harding appropriate. Kind of like (the Pied) Pipers, but not a children’s show. We could make jokes that a college audience could appreciate. We’ve been missing some of that here, I think.”
Kendall said she is looking forward to seeing club membership expand. The group is not intended to be exclusive to theatre majors. Theatre majors, film actors, writers and anyone with a passion for reflecting the human condition are encouraged to join.
Kendall said that anyone interested should “… be willing to hang your dignity at the door and get out and play.”
The Monologue Club has not been able to establish a set time and location yet because of size and schedule restrictions. The group usually meets in the Recital Hall in the Reynolds Center for every other Friday. To join, find them on Facebook at, HU Theatre – Monologue Club, and request to be added to the group.
