Twelve trolls walked into a theater. No, but really. Miranda Haymon ’16 and her team have created a theaterical experience like no other, which culminates in “Welcome to the Troll Cave,” debuting in the ’92 Theater this weekend.
“I wanted to completely reinvent the idea of the typical theater process,” Haymon said. “In terms of how the script is written, how the actors perceive of themselves in relation with the director, how the design team sees their relationship with the actors, and what a tech week is, even.”
And reinvent she did. Auditions were held for “Troll Cave” at the beginning of this semester, and actors had approximately two weeks to come together and write a show. By holding a few hours of rehearsal every day, focusing mostly on ensemble-building and improvisational exercises, these 12 individuals have been molded into a collective comedic identity. Even the characterization of the actors as trolls—humanoid, but not entirely human—helps to create a sense of unity in the cast.
“We were just doing improv games for all of the rehearsal, and that weirdness that we started feeling during the improv games permeated into this play, and it became the
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sketches that you’ll see,” explained actor Peetie McCook ’16. “Through this new form of rehearsal, Haymon and her cast selected sketches and built a show that changed with every rehearsal.”
“It’s been absolutely fan-bloody-tastic!” said Solomon Billinkoff ’14 of Haymon’s creative process. “The reason why it’s been so fun is because it’s been so short and so concentrated….You really, really get to build an ensemble, build chemistry, and learn a lot of new things.”
Those new things included learning how to prepare for opening night when the script is still being workshopped during dress rehearsals, something I witnessed on Wednesday evening.
“I wanted the experience for the audience, and for everyone involved, to be pure fun,” Haymon added.
My night in the Troll Cave was just that: pure fun. The four muses (Emma Buford ’16, Matt Catron ’16, Jessica Perelman ’17, and Dan Storfer ’15) start off the show with a bang, leading the audience through this mysterious new world with clever troll-ified versions of popular songs. In the rough-draft version I saw, this included “The Gospel Truth” from Disney’s “Hercules.”
Taking this notion of reinventing the theatrical experience even further, “Troll Cave” works to break down the traditional fourth wall, encouraging audience members to participate with laughter and applause, verbal communication, and an open dance break during intermission. For those brave enough to sit in the front row, don’t be surprised if a friendly (and occasionally handsy) troll pulls you up onto the stage.
Also featured are the gobsmacking vocal talents of Alma Sanchez-Eppler ’14, as well as some new comedic voices from the freshman class: Nicolas de Soto-Foley ’17, Russell Goldman ’17, Jessica Perelman ’17, and Jessica Wolinsky ’17.
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Billinkoff, a veteran of the Wesleyan comedic scene, aptly described the show.
“It has everything,” he said. “Nudity, trolls, music—it doesn’t have nudity—it has a slight social commentary, it has stuffed animals, it has a character named Sherbert, a character named Eewok, a character named Patricia; come see it!”
If you don’t have any plans this weekend, make sure to pick up tickets for “Welcome to the Troll Cave.” Tickets are free with your WesID at the Box Office for performances on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. And if you do have plans, cancel them and see this show instead. Nudity or not, this is sure to be a spontaneously good time.
Ariella Axelbank/Staff Photographer