Growing up in New York, I’ve always been a fan of plays. I remember when I was in elementary school and had the opportunity to see shows like Annie Get Your Gun, Aida, and The Lion King all on Broadway. I also remember in middle school when I got to have a small part in my school’s version of “Cinderella.” I must say that after having the opportunity to see Stop Kiss by No Rules Theatre, I now realize that I don’t know as much about plays as I once thought I did.
From the moment I walked into the theatre I knew that my experience would be different than any other play experience that I have ever had before. The way that the seats were arranged on either side of the set, I almost felt as though I was witnessing someone’s personal life first hand instead of watching a play. I was only a few feet away from being a part of the play myself.
The lights dimmed as the spotlight hit the set and I sat anxiously awaiting for the play to begin. It started off smooth, but the mystery was quick to follow. The best part about Stop Kiss, was that it always kept me guessing. I definitely wasn’t expecting the plot to twist the way that it did. What I thought was the present turned out to be the past, and what seemed like two girls growing close as friends, turned out to be a budding romance that may have never had the chance to see the light of day. I left the theatre having felt every emotion. Stop Kiss was not only clever, funny, and riveting, but it also addressed the ever-present issue of prejudice. Most importantly, Stop Kiss changed my view on what a play could be. It doesn’t have to be a lot of lights, expensive costumes, or set changes for it to be interesting. All I needed was a good storyline, a few good actors, and an intimate setting. It was definitely worth the trip.
Having the opportunity to hear about all that No Rules Theatre has in store; fans are in for a treat. They’re upcoming play The Last Five Years will kick off in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on November 16th. Whether you want to go on a date, or just hang out with friends, it will definitely be the perfect way to spend a night. The one thing I’ve learned about No Rules Theatre Company is that, with them, there simply are no rules!
Darian Weaver is a Senior Marketing Major at Howard University by way of Long Island, New York. She is currently a student in Professor Angela Hausman’s Social Media Marketing Class in which she has been given the opportunity to work with No Rules Theatre on their Social Media Strategy. Over the summer she had the opportunity to intern within the Direct Sales Organization at Google, Inc. where she witnessed the value of marketing first hand. Currently she maintains multiple leadership roles within different campus organizations while interning as the Howard University Campus representative for Victoria’s Secret’s PINK Collegiate Collection. Her current responsibilities include brand promotion not only on campus but throughout social media as well. Ultimately she aspires to secure a position in marketing within the consumer product or entertainment industry. She hopes to help No Rules Theatre build a base for social media that they can continue to grow even after the semester comes to an end.