This past weekend, TheatreUNI opened their final production of 2025 and have received a great deal of positive reception amongst students. Chelsea Marcantel’s “Airness” follows a group of performance artists who specialize in the art of air guitar and learn what it means to be themselves and find a sense of community through their works. This comedy is not only an amazing homage to the genre of rock and roll and its history, but also includes a killer soundtrack bound to get everyone excited as the story progresses! The set design is held in the Bertha Martin Theatre, whose black box design flawlessly captures the quality of dingy bars, the aura of green rooms and the blooming atmosphere of the stages where air guitar competitions are held.
Theatre Professor and Head Costume Designer Katrina Sandvik, wanted to approach the characters with a strong emphasis on an unconscious implication with the color seen throughout, as a thread to communicate character to evoke and shape the feelings of the cast. Approaching the characters by choosing colors based also on the warm/cool color theory, “Airness” goes from a comedy about the arts to a commentary on expression and self-acceptance. A prime example of this choice is seen with the main antagonist, D Vicious, portrayed by Jonah Hindt. The use of a cool green color is heavily evident since Sandvik had the idea of connecting him with money and the hilarious Sprite commercial segment depicted in the play, to really bring out a sense of the vulgarity and self-importance that make him a despicable individual.
Cool royal blue is shown with Brylee Larson’s Cannibal Queen to fit her villainous persona and prickly attitude that stir a great deal of tension throughout the show. When tackling the character of Facebender, played by Griffin Berndt, Sandvik envisioned the color of red and other warmer forms of it since his character is seen as “having the warmest heart” in the entire cast. Moving forward, to draw attention to his bright personality and charisma, Shreddy Eddy was dressed in orange, bringing out Ryder Wickett’s laid back yet sweet demeanor that many will become fond of when they see his first interaction.
It is not a secret that any industry will have a dark side. With darkness, light is bound to override it should one have the courage to do so. Going beyond his character’s name, Shayan Shazad’s Golden Thunder is associated with yellow to symbolize being a beacon of healing and his hopeful originality. Many can aspire to his stance on world unity. Lastly for our main protagonist, Nina, portrayed by the immensely gifted Hannah O’Connell, who progresses from light insipid pink into a strong and blooming purple to tell us her journey of self-discovery, where she learned the meaning of solidarity.
“Airness,” however, is more than just awesome rock tunes and flashy outfits. Director and Head of the Department of Theatre William Hickman, felt compelled to make this show based on the idea that he believed it would click with a wide variety of audiences. The goal for this show was to make TheatreUNI not just a place for artists to shine, but a community of support and love. He states that “The idea of feeling left out. Alone. Lonely. And then finding your people and a place where you can be yourself without judgment. For many of us that is theatre.” A statement that lives up to its word. The aim for inclusiveness is apparent to those who may feel unseen and unheard when dabbling in a craft that has more purpose than what people see on the surface.
Many can find enjoyment in this production thanks to the characters developing beautifully. Starting off as two-dimensional characters and evolving into individuals whose motivations and struggles highlight the human experience in ways many can identify with. “Airness” gives its final showings on April 25-26 at 7:30 p.m. and Apr 27, 2025, at 2 p.m. in Bertha Martin auditorium within Strayer-Wood Theatre.
