Theater Prom Rocks

Mark Junek, CC '07, has played the role of Macbeth, Jesus, and an electron in his varied theater career at Columbia.

This year, besides directing the Varsity Show, he is also the head director of Columbia University Performing Arts League (CUPAL), the arts organization uniting nine diverse theater and dance groups. Every year, CUPAL hosts a showcase that highlights all the talented groups involved.

The 7th Annual CUPAL Showcase for the Performing Arts will be held tomorrow, with performances by last semester's Merrily We Roll Along, King John, The Real Thing, Orchesis, a sneak peak of this year's 113th Annual Varsity Show, and more.

In an exclusive interview, Junek explains why the showcase is really a theater prom and how doing the Varsity Show can make you a sellout. He also gives us other glimpses into the world of the Columbia "theater kid."

Spectator: How did you get started in acting?

Mark Junek: As long as I can remember, I wanted to be in theater. The oldest memory that I have about acting is going to these cheesy YMCA acting classes. I did cheesy shows and I knew I loved it. It was in a community theater in New Jersey and it was at the most awkward of ages. My voice was like cracking and changing-I was 12 or 13. They put me in Frosty the Snowman outfits and we'd go to old folks' homes and they'd think that I was a girl because I was the only guy there. It was so embarrassing. That was certainly a defining experience.

SPEC: As the director of CUPAL, what do you see as its role on campus?

MJ: We do all of the undergraduate arts sort of dirty work in a weird way. When people have a problem with space, they're like "CUPAL, help us out." And when people haven't come to a single meeting all semester and get shafted for space, they're like, "Will you go to all these meetings and fix this for us?" This is what will happen. And we'll say, "Yes we will." That's our job. ... Lerner is having more and more issues of people vying for space. It's a constant struggle. But we're here to keep fighting the battle, I guess ... When we know we helped a piece of theater get on its feet, that's really, really satisfying.

SPEC: Describe the Showcase to someone who's never heard of it.

MJ: It's a black-tie formal event party. The first hour is purely social. There's food and drink. Then, there's an hour of programming, mostly from [shows from] last semester. Coming to the showcase allows you to really get a sense of what went on last semester. There will also be a first glimpse of the 113th Varsity Show.

SPEC: Why are all of my theater friends calling the showcase "Theater Prom"?

MJ: It's not billed officially as theater prom, but last year [musical improv group] Tea Party came up with these lyrics for a song, and it was the first time we coined the showcase as Theater Prom. And it is Theater Prom in the sense that everyone in the theater community gets dressed up, drinks champagne, and has a good time. I think that's the reason we get most people to come. It's because it's seen as a prom and it's really, really fun. And when's the next time you'll get to dress up and look nice for your theater friends? Not often.

SPEC: Will non-theater kids feel awkward going?

MJ: No, I don't think so. In addition to theater kids being very welcoming, it's just an event that is convivial and people are out to have a good time and meet new people. It's not very cliquey. ... Everyone is there with the sole commonality of theater and performing, but not everyone knows each other to begin with. You can't call 350 people a clique. ... What brings everyone together is the shared passion of theater, whether you do it yourself or just like it. You have something in common right there. We are sort of an atypical bunch, us theater kids-we're a little weird.

SPEC: Do you have a date?

MJ: I do. Her name is Marybeth Duckett [CC '07]. We decided to go together a long time ago. She's also on CUPAL. She's my sweetheart.

SPEC: What's your advice for people without dates?

MJ: Perhaps you'll find another person stag to go with. There are plenty of people coming without dates. It's a great place to meet people. Meet sexy, young theater people.

SPEC: What do you think about Columbia's performing arts scene? I've heard that it's incestuous and really hard to break into.

MJ: People can create barriers when they want to. They can create barriers between themselves and another group. I don't believe that they're really truly there. I consider myself a King's Crowner, a CMTS'er, obviously a Varsity Show person, because that's what I'm doing right now. And I've done LateNite, acted, and directed. And I have friends in all of those communities. ... If you want to float around, you can. And I encourage it. Because the best thing about doing theater is meeting new people and not staying in your clique.

SPEC: How does it feel to be directing the Varsity Show? What has your reception been like so far?

MJ: You do lose a lot of friends doing the Varsity Show, it's true. And I realize that. It's a big deal ... It's possible that people look at me differently. It's a very sort of flashy project, high-profile. It's basically like doing a blockbuster film. People lose respect for you because suddenly you're doing something that's not "artistic." It's the equivalent of selling out. ....Yes, it's sort of a Broadway piece in the theater community at Columbia. Yes, we get a lot of money. Yes it has to be about Columbia. Yes, we are guaranteed a large audience due to the fact it's got such tradition and history. But that's not why I'm doing it. I'm doing it because it's the most intense and rigorous process. I'm sharing this process with people who are equally invested in spending six months every day working on theater. There's no other thing here at school which allows you to have that commitment, that process, and share it with other people. Nothing else can sustain that. That's what I want to do with my life. I don't care if we have a budget of $50 and we have 100 people come see it. It wouldn't change that this is what I want to do.