Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

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onthe :murder for dinner Guests entered and sat at tables surrounding a raised platform. At 6:30 p.m. two characters, Nessa Kinsington, played by Dianne Paukstelis, and Austie Trousers, played by T-Shane Roberts, entered the room. Paukstelis, clad in a form-fitting, strapless silver dress and her counterpart, in an Austin Powers-style get-up, began Murder is My Middle Name, a Union Program Council and WHODUNIT Caper's dinner theater presentation Sept. 25. I think it was pretty successful, we had 250 people buy tickets, which is the most we've ever sold for a dinner theater, Ashley Moore, co-chair of the arts council and junior in biology, said. We really enjoyed working with the WHODUNIT Capers troupe, they are very easy to work with and put on a good performance. The cast of seven put on a show about secret agents, one of whom, Dr. Yes, played by Luke Stramel, was murdered. The rest of the performance was dedicated to finding his murderer. QWe do thisj wherever people need a dinner that's not boring, Stramel said. As the show progressed, so did the meal. The actors stopped the show to allow the audience a chance to eat their meal and once again near the end of the show for apple pie. However, the cast never stopped performing. The actors traveled to all the tables and, without breaking character, chatted with the audience and 22 M student life by Anna Kearns delivered clues pertaining to the murder. Paukstelis said about 20 minutes of the show was scripted, but the improvised part was performed while the audience ate. 'Every audience is different, Paukstelis said. Part of the whole interactive aspect of this kind of theater is that you have to respond to your audience. So it all plays differently every night. In addition to receiving clues, the audience participated in the show. Two audience members were asked to hold the super secret identity machine, a curtain behind which cast members put on disguises. Later, two more audience members, an older man and a young boy, donned blonde wigs and bright pink, shiny bras to act as distractions during a key moment. We don't always pick the people who raise their hand, Stramel said, Uwe pick the people who would make the most embarrassing situation fun. The rest of the audience got to participate when it was time to name the killer. Each table was asked to Vote on who they thought the killer was. The Manhattan company did a variety of shows, including a soap opera version and a beauty pageant version. Many of their shows were performed at colleges and other schools, but they also did corporate events. uThis type of theater is the fastest growing kind of theater in the United States today, Paukstelis said. People really like this interactive kind of theater, and it's relatively inexpensive to produce.

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Darren Al O sophomore in secondary education Hometown: Lyons, Kan. Favorite Color: Royal purple In three words: Passionate. Involved. Outgoing. Hobbies: The thing I enjoy most is going to whatever K-State athletics event is happening at the time. There is no better feeling then yelling your head off and Wabashing with a few thousand of your closest friends. When I am not working on school or anything else K-State, related I enjoy going on long runs. Superpowers: If I had super powers, I would probably ask for Batman-like abilities. Favorite thing to do in Manhattan: As long as I am either in Bill Snyder Family Stadium or Bramlage Coliseum, I am the happiest man in the world. Favorite Call llall ice cream: When it comes to Call Hall ice cream you can't really go wrong. Favorite K-State memory: When I first came to K-State as a high school senior, I was on my first tour of campus. Upon the conclusion of the tour, I asked my tour guide if he liked K-State. I was really surprised that when he began to answer the question he started crying. As a high school senior, I thought he was just crazy, but now that I have experienced K-State, I can truly see why he would have such a passion for the university. Meaning of being a K-Stater: Being a K-Stater means being a part of the best college family in the nation. I truly believe you aren't only a K-Stater for your four or five-plus years of college, but you are a K-Stater for life. When Stripped: I am a really caring person who is very passionate about everything he does. I am also a very carefree, fun person. king and queen Ill 21

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