By Oscar Docavo
A group of students stand around one of their peers. After an unsuccessful attempt to pull them out of position with a body feint, anticipating a strike, three of them leap back. Like a game of chess, every move has extreme consequences. Getting caught by the foot of a peer would mean elimination. Just a game for Brooklyn College’s actors.
Members of BC’s Bachelor of Fine Arts acting program gathered in the Claire Tow Theater to host the second-ever Theater Games Tournament on Thursday, Sept. 14. Theater Games is a bi-annual tournament that BFA students hope to host every semester.
The coveted victor’s belt and bragging rights were at stake for all the participants. The winner is determined by a series of theater games. After approximately two hours of action, the belt is worn by the actor who wins the most games. Some games included in the tournament were titled “toe tap tag,” “zip zap zop,” “warrior,” “do rap,” and “night at the museum.” “Do rap” and “zip zap zop” require quick wit, a fast tempo, and great agility.
For stage performers who are used to choreographed moves, the spontaneous movements proved to be difficult. “Toe tap tag” involves touching your opponent’s toe with your own in order to get them “out” and you must avoid being tapped in order to win. The toe tap tag game had BC’s finest thespians moving like soccer players battling for a ball, lunging towards opponents and leaping away from potential slide tackles.
After an intense round of toe tap tag, defending champion E.B. Adjei did not think he would be retaining the belt. That did not bother him at all though. Adjei expressed his willingness to pass the title onto the next generation to The Vanguard. “It’s like being in college football, you play four years, and after that, you move on to your professional life,” he said. The senior actor was ready for the bittersweet farewell of leaving BC soon.
When the event concluded, organizer Edward Wosu stood tall as the proprietor of the coveted belt. The group celebrated with Pop Smoke playing in the background. “Everybody knew this was coming home with me,” said Wosu while tapping the belt, which was draped across his shoulder at this point. Wosu expressed his desire to see the tournament become a tradition for each new semester. No qualms about passing on the belt either. “I think next semester I would have graduated, so this belt would be vacant,” he said, assuring that the ultimate prize will remain in circulation.
Despite a healthy amount of competition and trash talk, the tournament was always extremely lighthearted. Spending an extended period of time with students in the BFA program at Brooklyn College reveals the strong camaraderie among the actors. Each member spoke highly of the support they received from their fellow program members.
Frances Porter, a BC senior and BFA actor, contrasted her experiences in the acting program at BC with her time at an arts high school. Porter believed that her high school program fostered a competitive environment that led to resentment and jealousy. “This [BC] is a place where people acknowledge your strengths and take the time to get to know you as a person and as an artist,” she said. Porter further emphasized that her ensemble of actors provided support without being overbearing, respecting each other’s boundaries.
Zara Zeidman, a BFA student, has similar feelings. Zeidman glowingly compared the afternoon to “summer camp.” When asked about the environment in the program, Zeidman and Porter said similar things.
“I think compared to what I’ve heard about other art schools, there’s a lot more competition and pettiness, but I think this school has a lot of sincerity and joy,” Zeidman said. “When you come to something like this everyone who’s there wants to be there.” She also noted that having more people from the Theater Department join in on the fun could improve next semester’s tournament.
Expect to see Porter, Zeidman, and other members of the BFA acting program in live shows this semester. As one of the longest-serving members left at BC, Adjei has a good perspective on the progress the department has made during his time as a student.
“I think the department and the program is heading in a good direction, and I’m very happy to see what will happen in the future,” Adjei said.