Sex Signals keeps audience involved |
| Posted by Administrator on Oct 08 2008 at 1:06 PM |
Photo by A Sanam Bhaila
Lindsey Pearlman and Kyle Terry dip into 'Sex Signals', a combo pack of unique improvisational comedy, education, and audience participation.
By Tara Purdie
Antelope Staff
The halls of the Fine Arts Building were brimming with lines of people awaiting entrance for "Sex Signals" on Oct. 1.
Athletes, fraternity members, resident advisers and many other students flooded into the Recital Hall to watch the sexual awareness presentation.
Some students got more than they expected from the show that reached into the audience for reaction and feedback.
Some attended "Sex Signals," an interactive improvisation show that investigates the college dating scene for extra credit, while others were required to attend. A part of the audience attended strictly for entertainment.
Julia Lyons, a senior education major from McCook, said the turnout was amazing, and she had to wait in line to get in.
"I'm so thankful that the program was so popular among the students. I hope we can keep up the student involvement and branch out with more programs," Lyons said.
Sara Smith, a freshman undecided major from Scottsbluff, said she went to "Sex Signals" for extra credit for her health class and was surprised to find out that the show was a comedy. Smith also said the turnout was great and that she did not expect so many students to attend.
The two actors successfully engaged the audience with the show. Several times throughout the show, the actors asked for commonly used pick up lines starting with the old standby "How much does a polar bear weigh: enough to break the ice," Lyons said.
After opening with this line, the two actors quickly escalated their show into awkward and uncomfortable situations with the audiences' help. To encourage the audience to become involved in monitoring these awkward situations, attached to every seat was a sign that said STOP. If an audience member felt at all uncomfortable with the situation, they were asked to hold up the card.
The idea was to stop the show before it got too out of hand, but the STOP signs were also used as a gauge for the students' sexual awareness. The two actors, Kyle Terry and Lindsey Pearlman, dissected every scene, pointed out what was wrong and what went right.
Pearlman and Terry began by pinpointing male and female stereotypes. The men described negative stereotypes of males such as aggressive, controlling and strong. The women also described negative stereotypes of themselves like innocent, bashful, passive and pure.
After setting up these stereotypes, Pearlman and Terry acted through a scene that broke down why these two people would be incompatible.
Several students held up their STOP cards during this scene. Students said they felt uneasy because Terry was putting his hands all over Pearlman and forcing her to touch him when she seemed clearly uninterested.
After acting through different social pressures, mixed messages, stereotypes and double standards, the talk became serious.
"I definitely expected the humor and improv; yet when they got serious about date rape, I could see some of the students become uncomfortable," Lyons said. "I don't think everyone was expecting the show to be so serious."
Several students had the same reaction as Lyons. Smith was surprised when the humor stopped and the talk got serious, but she said she felt the facts were presented in a way students could relate to.
"Sex Signals is probably the best way I've ever seen 'sexual awareness' presented. The comedy and awkward moments really captivated the audience. The facts about date rape weren't given as a lecture, but more as a real situation that the students could definitely relate to," Lyons said.
