About Us Our Mission
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About us
CloseUP Theatre Troupe was founded in the Spring of 1997 as university-wide collaborative creation between three university areas: the Communication & Theatre Arts Department, University Health Services and McKenny Union & Campus Life. CloseUp Theatre Troupe’s main mission is to explore health and social issues relevant to student life through theatre and follow-up dialogue. On and off campus health and social resources information is provided to all audience members who attend CloseUP performances. CloseUP presents both information and ideas to audience members in a theatre skit format that embraces humor, satire, realism, music, dance and poetry. CloseUP is silmultaneously performing and servicing the student body. Though educational, CloseUP material does not preach or moralize social issues. Instead, scenes and performances are open-ended in order to encourage questioning and dialogue among audience members.
Since its inception, CloseUP has performed annually for approximately 7000-8,500 audience members, beginning with its standing-room only kick-off performance for New Student Orientation in Pease Auditorium. Subsequently, CloseUP creates both a Fall and Winter new one-hour show and a special 30 minute Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration performance. The troupe performs 5-7 shows per academic semester in addition to special events, conferences and service opportunities. All of CloseUP's material is original and collectively created by troupe members and its directors. The material presents perspectives in an "open-manner", thus allowing the audience to question and/or reflect on their own behaviors and choices. Due to the variety of theatrical forms and styles used, our audience has the added component of experiencing theatrical variety. CloseUP Theatre Troupe Members represent various academic majors, cultural backgrounds, ages, genders and interests, reflecting the diverse nature of the University Community. Over 60 Eastern students have become part of the CloseUP family, and many have continued health and theatre related work following graduation.
Past shows have included:
Sex, Love and Self
www.life.com-perspectives on identity
Love & Hate
Choices, Chances & Consequences
CloseUP Unplugged
Livin’ In our Skin
Hellos & Good-byes
The Examined Life
CloseUP on Ice
Fragile: This Side UP
Issues and subjects are as diverse as the University community we serve. Issues are as broad as chronic excesses and interracial relations and as specific as loss of opportunity as it relates to AOD, a first gynecological exam, or an examination of the relationship between personal preference and accepted bigotry. CloseUP performs both on-campus and at various conferences. In the summer of 2003, CloseUP presented at the national AATE conference (Alliance for Theatre in Education), and was commissioned by Western Kentucky University to create and perform a production for their incoming freshman class. In recognition of CloseUP's extensive service to the campus and surrounding community, the troupe was the winner of the 1998 Gold Medallion Award for Excellence.
Our Mission
CloseUP's mission is to use theatre as a vehicle for exploring relevant health and social issues and informing audiences about the resources available to address them. Such theatre is intended to catalyze dialogue, questioning, reflection and productive life choices.
- Who are we?
Theatre troupe
Students, faculty and staff
Ensemble
Multiethnic
Program
- What do we do?
Create and use theatre as a medium to increase awareness of relevant social, health and wellness issues
We honor the exploration of more than one perspective
Encourage individuals to personally consider issues
Identify resources
Encourage introspection, reflection and self-awareness
Innovative approach to disseminating health/wellness/social is issues and messages
Honest representation of the student voice
The medium is about emotional appeal-if we inspire others to feel something they are more likely to remember the information.
EMU students
University community
First year experience
Town/gown
Students in transition
We believe that:
Theatre can alter perspective
Students must be involved in the creation
Theatre must have a strong aesthetic
Theatre is based on the interrelatedness of the wellness dimensions
It is stronger because it is a collaboration between academics and student services
Theatre can be a mediator of ideas
Reciprocity
Honest discussion
Collaboration
Equality
Strong aesthetic expression
Humor
Evoke emotion
Diversity of ideas, experiences and energies
Self-reflection
Must have buy-in from the troupe members
All troupe members must be in good academic standings
No alcohol or other drug use during rehearsal or performances or while representing Eastern Michigan University
No AOD use when wearing CloseUP attire
Institutionalized
Premiere theatre broader reach training institute
Adequate staffing
Adequate and stable funding
Develop semi-professional touring company
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