Just in case you were wondering what the production is all about, “RISD: The Musical” is a satirical overview of the complicated and distinctive lifestyle that RISD students live. The play chronicles the journey of RISD students from application to graduation — all in one hour. The musical is comprised of vignette style skits that are connected through parodied musical numbers that span the gamut of musical theatre to pop/rock music. Act I closely examines the grueling and oftentimes hilarious tribulations of freshman foundations, while Act II focuses on upperclassmen experiences, along with everyday “RISD” situations that culminate in a Bollywood style graduation ceremony.
It’s week 5 of our production and time sure has flown by! We can’t believe that we are actually pulling an original musical together in a month and a half, but then again that is the RISD spirit. We’ve finally rehearsed both acts and almost have the dance numbers down. The cast and crew are working incredibly hard and things are really starting to come together. As far as our set goes, which is completely made of cardboard, we almost have all the structures done (including a giant student eating computer and an 11 ft Indian elephant), which will all be ready for painting soon!
The idea for “RISD: The Musical!” was created out of our vested interest in theater and our vision for bringing RISD students together through collaboration and interdisciplinary opportunity. Collaborative projects are something that we feel very strongly about developing and continuing at RISD.
We will also be collecting a pay-what-you-will donation for tickets through the Office of Student Life, with all proceeds going to Haitian relief funds (Partners In Health). The Two-Legged Print class will be also be selling handmade, student designed t-shirts in the lobby. Cakes for Quakes will be there too with pre-show and intermission cupcakes for charity.
Just when you thought you were done with the “RISD bike” forever, you’re making one out of cardboard.
Of course “graduation” is a choreographed dance number.
Give anyone who has been through Foundation Studies a sheet of cardboard and a glue gun, and the possibilities are endless.
Illustration sophomore, Odera Igbokwe and his video vixens sing about the RISD dining experience to Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable”.
Greg Kozatek and Jean Kim
Illustration Seniors” 2010
