By Philo Yunrui Wang
Next Friday, the SUNY Plattsburgh campus is in for a unique and hilarious treat as the theatre department presents “Rolling on the Floor: A THE320 Experiment Improv Extravaganza.”
The free event will take place Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. in the Hartman Theater, located in the John Myers Building. Directed by Merritt Billiter, an acclaimed performer from the improv troupe Completely Stranded, this performance promises to be a night of unscripted magic.
One of the unique aspects of this performance lies in its foundation — THE320, a class that blends theater majors with students from various disciplines, many of whom have no previous acting experience. Billiter designed the course to foster creativity and spontaneity, welcoming students into the world of improvisational theater, no matter their background.
Billiter expressed his excitement about the diversity of the class, noting how seasoned actors grow and completely novice actors break out and do something they’ve probably never thought of.
“Improv allows performers to create in ways that no other performance art does. You are literally making something out of nothing live in front of an audience,” Billiter wrote in an email response.
That collaborative spirit has been further strengthened through special workshops featuring Completely Stranded members Jason Borrie and Andy Ducharme, who visited the class to share how they approach a scene and how they create a character. This connection between the students and seasoned improvisers has been a key factor in preparing for the big night.
“It truly becomes amazing when students create entire scenes together off of one tiny suggestion,” Billiter wrote.
As improv veterans, Completely Stranded will also kick off the performance with a game or two before handing the stage over to the student performers.
The excitement for this event extends across the entire theatre department. Shawna Mefferd Kelty, chair of the department, emphasized the accessibility of improv as a gateway into theater for students.
“Our THE106 Acting for Everybody classes, which are part of the Cardinal Core, are rooted in improvisation,” Kelty wrote in an email. “Improv teaches great life skills — collaboration, problem-solving, communication and thinking on your feet.”
In addition, this year’s theater season provides students from all majors with numerous opportunities to develop their crafts as theater artists. The theater department is expanding its collaborative efforts through partnerships with the Plattsburgh State Art Museum for the upcoming play “The Water Station,” as well as with the nursing department and guest artists. Additionally, it is gearing up for their third semi-annual student-directed 10-minute play festival, set to take place in downtown Plattsburgh in late spring 2025.
“Rolling on the Floor will be the only performance for the students involved in the show,” Dwayne Butchino, office assistant for the music and theatre department, wrote in an email.
For the audience, next Friday’s performance may be the only chance to see this particular group of students in action.
“Rolling on the Floor” is free for all attendees. The seats will fill fast, so make sure to mark your calendars for this creatively charged night of laughter and creativity.
For more information or to reserve your tickets for “Rolling on the Floor,” please visit
https://campusgroups.plattsburgh.edu/web/rsvp_boot?id=379093
Stay updated on future performances by “Completely Stranded,” please view
https://www.facebook.com/completelystranded/
