Author Spotlight
Erin Reilly
Five teenage kids dressed in all-black ninja outfits run through the Plaza yelling “NO! The naked mermaid is this way!” Finally spotting the elusive fountain, the group bunches in front of it, posing for the camera.
Emily Donovan hoped that this year’s Theatre Scavenger Hunt, on Nov. 20, would leave impacting memories with freshman and theatre newcomers as her hunt did.
“My favorite part is the frenzy,” Donovan said. “There’s so much energy and running; I’m pretty sure I could have joined cross country afterwards!”
Every year, thespians gather to partake in the scavenger hunt, following clues all the way to the Plaza, Westport, Town Center Plaza and Prairie Village. About 65 students divided into 13 groups, the highest number of participants ever according to Donovan, competed for glory in categories such as most points, most spirited and best dressed.
Participants dressed as everything from cavemen to cowboys joined together for the themed “Hunt Throughout the Ages.” The hunt list this year included many strange requests from getting tattoos to sipping tea in Westport. However, this didn’t deter any theatre students from pursuing these clues like they were a spot in this year’s limited musical cast.
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Stop #1- Westport
Pull a Ke$ha in a dumpster. (3 pts.)
Like the outrageously “fashion-forward” Ke$ha, the different groups also dressed to turn heads. With the “Middle Ages” group consisting of a fully robed wizard, a dragon and a potato sack-wearing peasant, the “Soul Train” group fluffing ridiculously huge afros, and even a Britney impersonator from the “Bubble Gum Pop” group, the competition for Best Dressed was intense.
“We don’t kid around with our costumes,” Donovan said.
Stop #2- Plaza
Find a pair of Chinamen (2 pts.)
The Stone Age group was confused by this clue for the Plaza. So, like any well-trained thespian, they improvised.
“You see, there are these two statues of Chinese soldiers on the edge of the Plaza,” said Donovan. “Apparently, they weren’t aware of any such thing and photographed themselves with some unsuspecting Asian tourists. Needless to say, we gave them full points.”
Stop #3- Town Center
Take a photo with two or three execs somewhere in Town Center without them noticing. (5 pts.)
New to the list this year, the “Spot the Execs” section allowed everyone to join in on the fun, as the seven theater execs positioned themselves throughout the Plaza, Westport, and Town Center.
“I was both creeped out and impressed when an unassuming underclassman asked me, ‘Did you see us getting a picture with you when you were getting into your car in Westport?’” Donovan said.
Stop #4- Prairie Village
We are in no way above bribery. Bring the execs some chocolate milkshakes. (5 pts. + our love)
Food bribery was a huge hit among the theatre students and execs alike. Theatre execs enjoyed delicacies from all over the KC Metro including, but not limited to, leftover Chinese food, a baguette, a fudge brownie, a bag full of chocolate, and more milkshakes than you can count.
“I found it particularly delicious to allow these few points,” Donovan said. “I had four [milkshakes] just myself. Four milkshakes. That’s just so many milkshakes!”
The Theatre Scavenger Hunt mainly serves as a way for theatre students to get to know each other; the excitement is just a perk.
“We create age-diverse groups, pairing freshmen and sophomores with junior and senior drivers,” theater president and senior Polly Mytinger said. “When you’re forced into a situation with a bunch of people you don’t know, you have to make friends to get the job done.”
Sophomore AJ Orth found this event to be a superb bonding experience.
“Last year, and this year as well, I went and met so many new and interesting people,” Orth said.
From the standpoint of the execs, their goals for inter-theatre bonding and fun were successfully met.
“Overall, the scavenger hunt this year went off really well,” Donovan said. “Fun, silly, and awkward: It’s what being a theatre kid is all about.”
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