tudent-run and operate organizations are found throughout university campuses. Here at the University of Central Florida alone we have over 500 student-run clubs. So it is natural to have many different types and variations of organizations. One that I have a great experience with is Project Spotlight, which is a student-run theatre company. What I mean is it is student produced, directed, written, acted and managed theatre organization. So it is like we are learning to run our own theatre company as well as learning new skills to add to our resumes, but it isn't just theatre students that can be a part of the organization. Project Spotlight welcomes all majors and interests to get involved.
Project Spotlight was founded in the Spring of 2005 and recently celebrate it's ten year anniversary in the Spring of 2015. Since the beginning, every semester Project Spotlight puts on a One Act Festival and just recently the Ten Minute Competiton was added in the fall semester. In both events shows are comprised of student-written plays that then get cast and directed by students. Throughout the entire process is a sort of learning experience, so even if you have never done theatre before or you did it in high school and loved it then you can get involved. That is one of the most admirable aspects of Project Spotlight I believe. In the past, I have worked on many shows within Project Spotlight such as Biodegradable Seagulls by Alexander Hehr, A Good Idea by Alexandrew Recore, Waiting by Matthew Ubl, just to name a few. Through my experience, I have been a stage manager, assistant director, and director more recently. Quite honestly everyone I have worked with over the two years have blown my mind with their talent and they weren't performance majors either. Crazy right?!
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This recent weekend, the 2nd annual Ten Minute Competition went on and blew everyone away. The idea of the Ten Minute Competition is just as it sounds, but to clarify six plays were chosen and given to six different directors that are then judged by three different judges at the competition. So I actually had a show that was presented at the competition and I couldn't be more proud of my cast. Everyone did an amazing job and I really hope that people outside of the theatre or arts will come out next year or to the One Act Festival November 3rd-6th, 2016 at the Mainstage Theater! If you have any interest in joining or getting involved in Project Spotlight check the Facebook page or email projectspotlight@gmail.com. Get out there and bring out your creative side!
