Four graduate students at a conference table. “It’s a mobile truss system,” William explains, “as of today we have about a quarter of where we want to be. We have a five-year goal to have the truss complete, all four sides…a grid.” They all have a meeting agenda in front of them. Moments earlier I barged in on their meeting; ten minutes late, out of breath and bearing post-Valentines chocolate as an act of contrition. “The truss will help us realize new capabilities,” continues Amy, ”as is you only have so many lighting options.” “And it allows for more theatre components, curtains, scenes,” adds William. The truss they are describing is a mobile performance space, an exoskeleton designed with the capabilities of mimicking theatre effects such as lighting and set changes. When complete, the director or performers will be able to exercise a high degree of control over these aspects of the performance; and it’s portable. Here’s the scoop: Cabaret, a theatre company run by second year dramaturgy students, is designated as a club. This can be problematic. Participation works towards the degree for theatre and performing arts students, and as a club they have an open enrollment policy and anyone with any interest is encouraged to join. This designation, however, also means that Cabaret is sometimes left to fend for itself. “We’ve gotten a lot of support from the faculty at the theatre department, faculty from other departments. There is a lot of support for us.” Says Anna Shulgat, an MFA Candidate and visiting Fulbright scholar from Russia. Even with such support, though, it seems as if Cabaret has to struggle to maintain its existence. The group has been performing in various spaces across campus including the Tabler space, and converted dance studios in the basement of the Staller center. They were promised a permanent venue, and were all very excited until the offer was pulled out from under them. Hence, the portable truss system. If theatre was dead, Cabaret has resurrected it. In the Fall semester, the members of Cabaret appealed to the Graduate Student Organization for financial assistance, which, when they received it, enabled them to order the foundation of the truss. It has just recently arrived and with it came the potential to take theatre to the audience. You may have been present at a recent event that cross-listed Cabaret and the Department of European Languages, Literature, and Culture; An Evening of Russian Theatre. This event was curated by Mz. Shulgat, and Nicholas Rzhevsky the chair of the European Languages, Literature and Culture Department gave a brief introductory lecture. Or perhaps you made it to an adaptation of Orestes by Euripides back in December of 2007. This particular event was adapted and directed by Catherine Pressimone Beckowski, and Dramaturged by Angie Balsamo. Celebrating Native Theatre saw Mz. Pressimone Beckowski and Mz. Balsamo switch Director and Dramaturge roles, in November of 2007. This event was coordinated by Amy Jensen and sponsored by the Comparative literature and Cultural Studies Department as well as the Turner Fellowship Program. Of particular note, the percussionist for Celebrating Native Theatre, one Marie-Elena Ortiz, is a Turner Fellowship Recipient and a GSO senator. When asked if she performs Mz. Ortiz claimed her passion lies in playwriting, a passion she was able to exercise in a marathon of writing and performing known as 24-Hour Theatre. Apparently, budding play-writes sequestered themselves to a faculty member’s barn. In a furry of inspiration and with a deadline constantly looming over their heads, plays were written; they were given to performers who had merely hours to memorize lines and stage directions before the performance. Cabaret is an opportunity: one that the theatre department of Stony Brook University bestows, and one that the dramaturge students excitedly indulge. The members of Cabaret are given very flexible guidelines and encouraged to explore their craft. The resulting performances and events are exercises in creativity with a professional polish. Upcoming events from Cabaret include the work from Marie Ortiz, La Bodega, opening in May, and Shaw and His Women opening in April, directed by Marie Danvers. As of now, these performances will be held in what the members refer to as “the Underground”—Staller Center room 0003. Everyone is invited to the performances and anyone is welcome to join. For more information, photos, contacts, or schedule of the events visit the Cabaret website: http://stonybrook.edu/theatrearts/dramaturgy/cabaret.html