Purpose Statement |
The Lilting Banshees are a student group at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Composed of between twelve and twenty members during the year, we are devoted to bringing uncensored sketch comedy to the campus of Wake Forest. The troupe composes and performs as an ensemble cast, coordinating their efforts under a director and extended executive staff.
We generally perform two shows during the fall semester. "Welcome to Wake," traditionally in Brendle Recital Hall in the Scales Fine Arts Center. This show is aimed at the incoming class of freshmen. It generally focuses on Wake Forest traditions, social organizations, and general college life to introduce new students to life at Wake Forest. Like most Banshee shows however, sketch topics include topics that are often completely unrelated to college life in hopes of bringing constant variety to our shows. |
The cast of “Welcome to Wake ‘09.”
Auditons |
Auditions for the troupe take place several weeks into the first semester, and are open to students of all class standing. Applicants work in group writing sessions, individual writing sessions, and perform individual monologues for current troupe members. No theater experience is necessary, and although Banshee shows are the extent of thespian activity for many troupe members, several members have gone on to perform in Main Stage and Ring Theater productions. The troupe generally accepts anywhere between three to five new members each year.
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Fall Performance |
In Search of a Corner, the Banshees annual fall show, takes place in early November in Brendle Recital Hall. "I.S.O.C.," has become a Wake Forest tradition over the last thirteen years, originating in the Ring Theater before moving to Brendle to accommodate the troupe's increasing popularity. Cast members write for a little over a month on this show, incorporating new members into the creative process and developing more refined sketches. The show is traditionally held at midnight on Friday and Saturday night, and contains a more polished and broad array of material than the "Welcome to Wake," show. Past troupes have covered everything from monologues of the victims of smoking, to Shakespearean dramas based around frat parties.
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Spring Performance |
Spring performances for the troupe often vary according to the availability of troupe members and performance space. In 2005, the troupe opened for Lewis Black in Wait Chapel and traveled to the Implosion College Improv Festival in Chicago. Past troupes have also held reviews of their favorite sketches from the fall semester, and the troupe continues to use the spring semester to broaden the scope of their material and traditional structure of performances in Brendle.
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Current Executives |
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Director: John Track
Director Duties: Each year the troupe elects a new director. Candidates must have at least one year of previous executive experience, as well as having directed one sketch in a previous show. The director has final say in most troupe decisions, and manages the logistics and theatrical presentation of each show. Blocking, casting, and arranging the show’s set list make up the bulk of a director's theatrical work.
Directors also oversee the "War Room" process by which the troupe selects the sketches for each show after thorough ensemble discussion. This is one of the many events that emphasizes the director’s most important duty, keeping a healthy creative chemistry amongst the cast and preserving the cohesive ensemble nature of the organization.
Get in touch with the troupe at liltingbanshees@gmail.com. |
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Assistant Director: Thomas Kozak
Assistant Director Duties: The director's right hand man/woman, the Assistant Director is intimately involved in helping the Director with all their duties. Most importantly, the Assistant Director is involved in casting shows and arranging the set list with the Director. The Assistant Director will often be the prominent consultant in deciding the last few, contentious sketches for each show. Assistant Directors also help run writing sessions, and take the place of the Director in the event of their absence. Elected by their fellow troupe members, the Assistant Director influences the direction of all the sketches in concert with the Director. |
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Publicity Manager: Riley Peterson
Assistant Director Duties: The publicity manager's main responsibility is the infamous yellow signs the troupe hangs throughout campus to promote upcoming shows. Managers collect ideas for signs from all members of the troupe, and with the help of the director, decides which signs to post. After writing hundreds of signs, the manager prints ninety to one hundred original signs. Although the signs are the main form of publicity, the publicity manager is in charge of utilizing a variety of advertisements for upcoming shows.
Get in touch with Riley at petere7@wfu.edu |
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Production Manager: Patrick Stycos
Production Duties: Although the title is self-explanatory, Props Managers have the infinitely difficult job of bringing every scene into a physical fruition, no matter how ridiculous. Trying to materialize the off the wall ideas of writers demands resourcefulness, creativity, and a strong work ethic. Props managers have turned troupe members into talking T-Rexes, and built a miniature Berlin Wall on a very limited budget in only a week's worth of time. Props Managers continue to amaze their fellow troupe members by continually enhancing the look of Banshee shows |
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Business Manager: Seth Williford
Business Duties: The Business Manager oversees the financial accounts of the Troupe. Since becoming an off-campus organization, he is essentially responsible for ensuring that the troupe can afford their shows in Brendle. They also ensure troupe members are paid back for any purchases made on the behalf of the troupe. Most importantly, the Business Manager posses a very cool credit card bearing the troupe's name. |
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Stage Manager: Stephanie Rayburn
Stage Manager: The stage manager is not elected by troupe members, but appointed by a graduating stage manager. Although not involved directly in the writing of the show, the Stage Manager is a crucial part of the troupe. The manager orchestrates the multitude of audio and lighting cues in each Banshee show. A keen sense of comic timing is a must, and many sketches rely heavily on multiple cues to deliver punch lines. Stage managers pour in hours of work during the weeks before a show examining blocking and cues with the director, and continually make Banshee shows go off without a hitch. |
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