Spamalot and Theatre: Where Fordham Students Come to Have Fun-A-Lot!

This past weekend, I was so fortunate to have been able to play around in the Mimes and Mummers’ production of Spamalot as one of the ensemble members. Being Fordham’s oldest theatre club on campus, The Mimes play a special role in allowing Fordham students to come together and let their theatrical passions thrive in their ability to put together a show in all aspects, be it on stage or off. Spamalot is the second show that I have ever been involved in with the Mimes, and I always look forward to coming back and learning new things to improve myself as an actor and and in other forms of putting together a show such as set designs, costumes, etc... So, whether you’re an actor looking into set or light design or someone who has done set and wants to branch out as an actor, Fordham has the right club just for you!

Our appropriately titled "Mimesbill" program for Spamalot!

Spamalot is such a one of a kind show in the way that it incorporates sharp wit and notorious British humor all combined with catchy showtunes in order to tell the story of King Arthur’s quest to find the Holy Grail. I clearly remember spending so much rehearsal time just laughing out loud at the hilarious brilliance of the cast as we worked together to tell this story. One of the special things about the Mimes and Mummers is seeing how each and everyone of its’ members comes together to put on a show as, in my opinion, prestigious as a Broadway production. In a span of just four weeks, it was extremely rewarding to finally see our hard work come to fruition. From the way that our director envisioned our set to look like and the finished product to the way that the cast worked with our musical director to learn the music all tied together in the end to produce a successful and incredibly hilarious show.

Just like with any big theatrical production, the days leading up to this weekend have been really long and stressful. But as a student, I sometimes found it a bit of a stress relief to escape from my usual classes and retreat back to my creative side and spend my evenings in an auditorium with some of the most talented individuals I could find on campus. Another important note about the Mimes is that everyone involved is a non-theatre major, which goes to show just how committed each and everyone of us is to this craft, and how our sheer passion for theatre drives us to have fun on the stage every time. Having this club available on Fordham’s campus definitely defined so many of my memorable college moments. Although my involvement with the Mimes and Mummers only spans to two semesters so far, I am extremely excited to lend a helping hand to future productions and to stay involved with as many Mimes shows as I can. With another show weekend under my belt, I am reminded of one of the reasons why I decided to come to Fordham, and it is being able to work with and be surrounded by some of the most passionate students in such a well-rounded and supportive community. Whether you're into hilarious comedies like Spamalot, or dramatic plays, you can always count on the Mimes and Mummers to put on a show that you will definitely enjoy!

Behind the scenes dressing room fun! Yes, we're always that happy on stage and off! :)

Broadway Ticket Raffles

One of my favorite parts about living in New York City is getting to see Broadway shows. And each month, Fordham gives students the opportunity to see shows for $20 through the Campus Activities Board ticket raffles.

On the first Monday of every month, CAB invites students to attend the raffle where many tickets to the best upcoming Broadway shows, comedy shows, and New York City sporting events are raffled off. In the past, I have been able to see some of the best New York has to offer, including “Once,” “Cinderella,” “Big Fish,” and even the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

Before the show! 

Most recently, I got to see “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” the 2014 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical. The show is about a man who discovers that he is a member of a royal family and will stop at nothing to take the crown. It’s one of the funniest musicals I’ve ever seen, and I’m so happy I got to see it for such a little price that is even cheaper than most student discount offers! I was also able to meet the actors afterwards at the stage door, which was really cool.

With the lead actor Bryce Pinkham! 

During the last raffle, I won tickets to “Cabaret,” starring Emma Stone and Alan Cumming, and I’m obviously very excited to see that. CAB’s monthly ticket raffles are just one of the many benefits of being a Fordham student!

Onto the next show!

A Mini-Guide to Broadway Shows for a Fordham Student!

One of the things that I cherish most about being a student in New York City is being able to take advantage of all the theatre that happens on Broadway. With Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus being so accessible to midtown and the theatre district, whether you’re a Rose Hill student like me who only needs to take a Ram Van, or living at Lincoln Center itself, it’s almost as if Broadway is in your backyard. Seeing a Broadway musical is a must on a Fordham student’s bucket list because Broadway is so iconic to the New York City image, and it plays an important role in promoting culture by the variety of stories that are being told on stage. I was fortunate enough to have been able to stay in the city over the summer because of work, and in my spare time, I discovered the different ways one can make the most out of the theatre-going experience, from acquiring the best deals on tickets to even meeting the stars after the show! Tourists from all over the world flock to NYC to experience the dazzling spectacle that is live theatre and fortunately for students in the city, it can be a form of entertainment that can fit in anyone’s budget!

1. CAB Raffles and Dorm programs: Fordham’s Campus Activities Board does an excellent job of providing fantastic events for students to win tickets to Broadway shows. Every month, they host a raffle and if you’re lucky enough, you can snag a ticket for a high-demand show for as low as $25! I got to see one of the first previews of If/Then the musical starring Idina Menzel through the CAB raffle. Getting to know your dorm programs can also get you some nice deals for Broadway show tickets, and it’s always fun to go with hallmates to experience a show.
   

   
   

   

   The ticket that I won from the CAB raffle for If/Then!

2. Lottery: If you’re feeling lucky, many Broadway shows offer a lottery style where you go to the theatre two hours before a show to enter a drawing. The price of lottery tickets never go above $40 and many of them are often located in great places to see the stage. I was able to win some cool box seats for Kinky Boots for only $37!

   

   Lottery tickets for Kinky Boots. I felt so close to the stage!

3. Rush Tickets: Despite having to wait several hours in line and in a myriad of weather situations, rush tickets can oftentimes get you some great box seats or really close orchestra seats for as cheap as $27, like I did for Les Miserables.
   

   
   
4. Standing Room Only Tickets: For some of Broadway’s demanding shows, like Hedwig and the Angry Inch and the Book of Mormon, you can opt to stand in a special aisle throughout the show for a low price. I saw Chicago the musical this way, and the $27 I spent standing was definitely worth it.
   

   
   
5. Tix4Students: For $5 annual membership, this website provides access specifically for students to get tickets. Ticket prices vary from $25-$45 and gives you the opportunity to book tickets in advance like any normal ticketing service.

If you really enjoyed a Broadway show and don’t want your evening to end just after that curtain call, I highly recommend asking the nearest usher to point you in the direction of the stage door. Here, you’ll be able to interact with the stars themselves as they come out to sign autographs and even take pictures!

Incredibly grateful for the stagedoor for opportunities like these ones. Meeting these Broadway divas, Idina Menzel, Audra McDonald, and Sutton Foster was an honor!

My autographed playbill and pics with the cast of Bullets over Broadway.

Every theatre-going experience should be a special one, and Fordham’s prime location makes it possible for any student, whether you’re new to Broadway or a theatre connoisseur, to have a good time with great company at a Broadway show.