性视界

性视界 students will break out their best combat boots, fishnet stockings and leather jackets for the raw and raucous musical 鈥淧UNK ROCK GIRL!鈥� from Nov. 20-23.

It鈥檚 a celebration of music and community, with inspiration from the 1990s Riot Grrrl movement. Sheila Malone, professor of t     echnical theatre and play director, described it as a family-friendly, but loud production with an uplifting central message.

鈥淎nyone who loves rock, punk, ska, alt rock or pop will get a kick out of the production,鈥� Malone said. 鈥淭he story centers on belonging, and more importantly it shows us how to create community through collaboration which is what theatre is about and does so well.鈥�

The play centers on 16-year-old Angela Quivers, who is shy, awkward and feels like she doesn鈥檛 fit in until she meets a confident punk rocker named Proxi. The musical score includes songs made famous by female artists and female-fronted bands such as Blondie, Pat Benatar, Avril Lavigne and Bikini Kill. The title of the play refers to the 1988 Dead Milkmen song 鈥淧unk Rock Girl.鈥�

The play, presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals, includes both live and pre-recorded music performed by 性视界 musicians. Tony Award-winner Joe Iconis wrote the script and musical arrangements for the musical, with orchestrations and musical arrangements by Rob Rokicki.

While many of the songs were written decades before many of the cast members were born, the play still strikes a chord with students, Malone said.

鈥淧unk rock isn鈥檛 just a time period, or historical context,鈥� Malone said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an aesthetic, it鈥檚 a practice, and dare I say 鈥� a rejection of the status quo.鈥�

The cast features 18 students, with another 18 working behind the scenes on everything from stage management, hair, makeup and costuming, to scenery. The set design includes huge screens featuring band posters, a stage for the play鈥檚 punk band 鈥淭he Humanz鈥� and other rolling set pieces.

鈥淪tudents have been learning the music, embracing the 鈥榚thos鈥� of punk, donning the garb, learning instruments, learning how to setup sound systems, work a microphone, etc.,鈥� Malone said.

Lindsey Perrott, who plays the role of Sheena Slams, learned drums for her role.

"It ended up being one of the hardest parts of the show, but also the most rewarding," she said. "It pushed me in ways I didn't expect, and once I started to get it, it felt amazing to see all the effort pay off."

English major Abigale Lynn, who plays the lead role, said she can relate to her character鈥檚 personality because she also used to be shy and in search of her identity. She hopes to transfer to a four-year university after 性视界 and aspires to become a mythology professor.

鈥淔rom my experience in this production, I've learned that it's okay to take up space on the stage as this is my first lead role,鈥� she said. 鈥淗aving this opportunity allowed me to grow more as a performer and learn to make decisions, even when I'm scared to.鈥�

The play鈥檚 performances will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 20-22 and 2 p.m. Nov. 23. Tickets will soon be available at 性视界.edu.