Theater Ink’s production of Nitrous Oxide, directed by junior Sage Alcalde and senior Will Hartzog, promises to bring nights of laughter to the Little Theater, with a lively portrayal of student-run sketch comedy, Feb 5-7.
Directed and performed by North students, Nitrous Oxide will comprise of a series of comedy sketches, making it a standout production for TheatreInk.
From scenes centered around the Slug and Boreem McBarton Grill to Ouija board sketches, the Nitrous Oxide cast promises to put on a wacky and witty show, while fostering a comfortable community for its members in the process.
According to Alcalde, traditional theater productions tend to emphasize memorization and technique, while comedy shows like Nitrous Oxide are centered around audience engagement.
“That lack of focus on lines is replaced with a focus towards what people will enjoy,” Alcalde said.
In order to bring a worthwhile performance to their audience, Alcalde and Hartzog were mindful in casting students who would commit to rehearsals and read-throughs leading up to their performance.
“We looked at how far people were willing to go and how big of a choice they were willing to make for each character,” Hartzog said.
According to Hartzog, casting began in September. He added that actors were cast not only for the passion they would bring to their sketches, but also for the contributions they would make to writing and editing them.
After the initial sketch writing and editing process, cast members were organized into their respective sketches.
Hartzog said it is the cast’s contribution to all aspects of the preparation process that allowed for the formation of Nitrous Oxide into polished production.
Freshman Max Clark, a cast member, said, “We all have very diverse comedy styles. So you can tell, every person has their own thing that is unique to them, whether that be the way they act or the way they write.”
According to Hartzog, during the writing process, writers met three times a week. Two of those meetings were dedicated to watching other comedy sketches, such as SNL and Key and Peele, to draw inspiration.
“With Nitrous Oxide, it’s more about building from the ground up by creating our own thing and teaching people how to find their creative and comedic voice,” said Hartzog.
Hartzog added that over the 12 weeks cast members have spent preparing for their performance, they have grown closer together through the shared laughter and enthusiasm that comes with crafting an amusing production.
According to Theater Ink director Adam Brown, cooperation is essential to putting on a comedy show.
“As comedy writers, you have to get along,” said Brown. “You have to be willing to work together and help each other, and make everything as funny as possible. It’s nice to see different grade levels work together so closely.”
