This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at OSU chapter.
This week Her Campus had the opportunity to sit down with the directors of Off the Lake Productions. Adam and Taylor took some time out of their busy schedules to answer some questions about their upcoming show Hairspray and how theatre has impacted their lives here at Ohio State and beyond.
How long have you been a part of OTL?
Adam Adams-Grooms: I joined the organization my first year for our 2012-2013 show All Shook Up, so it’s been almost 4 years!
Taylor Koon: I have been in OTL for four years! I joined my freshman year and never looked back!
What are your official titles within the group?
AG: President
TK: Director
What made you want to make the leap from general member to director?
AG: I spent my first two years in OTL as a general member in the Cast, and these two years helped me gain an understanding of the organization as a whole. For my third year, I was selected to serve as the Organization Chair, a position that handles a large portion of the administrative parts of the organization. I loved having the ability to encourage changes to the group that had given me so much.
TK: Off the Lake Productions is such an incredibly special organization, and the people in OTL are like family to me. I was excited for the chance to lead the group because I wanted to help create the magic that I felt when I first joined!
What is your favorite part about leading a theatre group on campus?
AG: Theatre people are just so amazing and interesting! Our organization is so extremely diverse and full of people with different majors, races, sexual orientations, and personalities. Theatre people are often stereotyped and portrayed as extremely extroverted individuals, always ready with a pirouette or quick to belt a showstopper from Wicked. What’s great about OTL is while, yes, there are a few of those individuals who never stop singing random show tunes (definitely me), there are also OTLers who may be a bit more shy and keep to themselves. Despite these differences, OTLers are unified by one thing: a ridiculous love of musical theatre and performing.
TK: Being involved in a theatre group allows you to express your creativity in a way that allows you to create something beautiful that you can share with others in your community. Not to mention, the members of OTL are just incredibly fun! I’m a part of the best organization on campus because I’m constantly surrounded by kind, funny, and compassionate individuals.
What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about OTL?
AG: One thing people are often surprised to learn about OTL is the fact that we are COMPLETELY student-led! Our entire production team, from choreographer to music director to stage manager, is composed of undergraduate students that all balance academics and the pressure of creating an amazing show.
TK: And admission to our shows is only one canned good or a dollar that we donate to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank! We also partnered with A Kid Again, so a portion of the donations will also benefit that nonprofit!
How did you come about picking Hairspray to be the musical this year?
AG: Another interesting aspect of Off the Lake is the fact that each year the general members of the organization vote for the next year’s show. Members have the opportunity to pitch their ideas at a “Show Discussion” and the Director and President select their three top choices from the ideas pitched. The three selected shows are sent out to be voted on, and then the winner is announced towards the end of the year!
Why should everyone go see Hairspray when it opens on February 26th?
AG: Aside from the fact that all of the canned good and monetary donations go towards the Mid-Ohio Foodbank and A Kid Again, Hairspray is an extremely important show with themes that continue to be pertinent to today’s society. The show is an amazing musical representation of the injustices felt by African Americans during the 1960s in the United States. With the message of equality at the forefront of the production, Tracy Turnblad fights to pave the way for African Americans to dance together on TV with their Caucasian counterparts, against all odds. With movements such as Black Lives Matter (which campaigns against violence toward black people) gaining a lot of support in the past few years after the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and Eric Garner, racial inequality continues to be a a hot button issue. Hairspray helps to create dialogue surrounding these topics and presents them in an entertaining and engaging manner.
TK: The messages in Hairspray are so important, and the show manages to address the subjects of inequality and discrimination in a way that catches the audience’s attention and doesn’t let go until after the finale. Hairspray is catchy, hilarious, and our actors are phenomenal. I’m so excited to see everyone’s hard work come together opening night, and I want to share this show and this experience with as many people as possible!
What is the biggest life lesson that theatre has taught you?
AG: The most amazing part of theatre is the fact that it brings people together. The concept of escapism is so ingrained into theatre and people rely on this kind of entertainment to remove themselves from the stress of their daily lives. People can forget about all of the differences that are often focused on by society and be united by a singular love of performing. It’s an amazing thing to see the process of a musical, the literal blood, sweat, and tears put into a performance forms bonds that are so extremely special.
TK: I fell in love with theatre because it allows you to step into someone else’s shoes (both figuratively and literally). It teaches empathy, provides a creative outlet, and allows writers and actors to share their experiences and their emotions with the world. Theatre has taught me that emotions are beautiful and should be expressed. Most importantly, theatre has given me true happiness and friendship.