Alma College Theatre presents “Airness”

MAIREAD BROCK
PHOTOGRAPHER

JORDAN FOX
COPY EDITOR

ELIZABETH VREDEVELT
STAFF WRITER

2/12/2024

Alma College Theatre has been hard at work preparing for its upcoming performance of Chelsea Marcantel’s play, “Airness.” The play will show on Feb. 15 in Strosacker Theatre at 7:30 p.m. and will be followed by three more shows throughout the weekend.

“Airness” is a lighthearted comedy about a series of air guitar competitions and the passion that the air guitarists feel toward their less-than-conventional talent.

“At face value, it’s a comedy about air guitar competitions, but I think deeper down it’s definitely a play about how music is supposed to be freeing. There [are] all these characters in the play who are really passionate about this very, very silly art form that they have… but even so, it’s still something that is freeing, and it means a lot to people… so I’d almost say it’s a celebration of being just being creative,” said David Troyer (‘24), who double-majors in Biology and Theatre. 

“It’s fun… [It’s] a play with some comedy [and it’s] a little bit free as they do the crazy air guitar competitions and [there are] also some serious moments in it, so it’s got a real nice, wide range,” said Scott Mackenzie, Director of Theatre and Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance at Alma College. 

The audition process was standard apart from the air guitar solos which were a unique addition for both directors and cast members. 

“We have a wonderful cast, none of whom were air guitarists before, so we spent a lot of time watching YouTube videos, listening to interviews about air guitar and coming in here and playing and having fun with air guitar,” said Mackenzie.

“Before finding out that I had received the role of Nina, I had shown up to auditions with the mindset that even if I were not to be [cast], I would have the funniest story to tell friends and family – that I once played air guitar for an audition in college. I think the craziest realization I had with this production is that [there] are real people in the world who actually compete in air guitar at a national level,” said Abi Whitford (‘25), an Education major who acts for fun. 

“My character’s name is Nina O’Neal, but her air guitar persona is ‘The Nina.’ Nina shows up to her first-ever air guitar qualifier thinking she has it in the bag because she actually plays the real guitar. She soon discovers a world she knew nothing about, full of people who take air guitar very seriously,” said Whitford. 

Since the play has a quirky nature, Jacob Brown, a faculty member of Design at Alma College, wanted to capture that aura through the set, as well. For example, the stage features a rock and roll symbol because “the idea is that it’s this great world,” said Brown.

He also created a bar that “represents five general bars – dive bars – throughout the United States from Long Island all the way to San Diego,” said Brown, along with various signs to indicate the locations. 

Between the detailed sets and spirited air guitar performances, Alma College Theatre’s production of “Airness” is one you will not want to miss.

“The storyline is really sweet. If you clean up the language a bit, it would be a play that anybody could come and see and find some happiness in. I think that’s what I want them to do is just go at it feeling like, ‘That was a great night in the theatre,’” said Mackenzie. 

For more information about “Airness,” as well as ticketing, visit alma.universitytickets.com.