Until Next Year...

Over two months ago, we revealed our 2014 show in a flurry of fanfare and theatrics. Since, FYP has morphed and grown the idea of Rent into something that becomes more tangible every day.

Fall semester brings a variety of changes, including new leadership and new members. Our staff has taken the transition in stride.

The combination of fresh positions and people meshed quickly, and Rent took off from the time we announced it. Junior public relations director Lisa Prywes has immense expectations for the organization every year, but even so, this fall’s staff soared past them.

"This year, I really wanted FYP to make a statement on campus. I want our name to be known, as well as the important things we do on and off-campus," Prywes said. "I want FYP to be an environment where everyone feels comfortable and "Finds Your Place." I think every year FYP grows and never ceases to amaze. It is very hard for me to set expectations, because I always know that FYP WILL exceed them." 

With finals quickly approaching (or already happening) and winter break in sight, FYP has completed most of the semester’s work. But we haven’t packed it in for the semester yet.

Our graphics team will reveal Rent’s logo this Sunday, a moment Prywes has anticipated since FYP chose the show. We will also hold one more acting workshop tomorrow, the final chance for prospective cast members to receive some advice before our auditions start January 16.

Staff members look eagerly toward the spring semester and one of the most exciting moments of the FYP calendar- the selection of a new cast. But for some, like junior Jaylyn Noble, the influx of new cast members isn’t the only long awaited addition. She looks forward to the return of the members of her Drowsy Chaperone cast that are studying abroad, as well as the selection of a new cast. 

"I'm looking forward to all the abroad Drowsies to be back and I'm REALLY looking forward to getting 24 new people and making them love FYP as much as everyone already in it," Noble said.

FYP has made a semester of great progress toward our production of Rent, and we couldn’t be more excited to get back to work in January. Next time you read one of our blogs, we’ll be selecting a crop of 24 fresh new faces to join the FYPhamily.  

Have a safe and enjoyable winter break, and we’ll catch you next year!

Happy Thanksgiving from FYP

Snow has fallen. The inevitability of a miserable winter hits you in the form of a 30 mph gust, forcing you to walk backwards up a hill. We haven't hit December, but you're sliding across slushy sidewalks caked with salt and mud. This is Syracuse, NY, and winter hates you.

Cheer up. Syracuse students get a temporary reprieve from the horrors of Mother Nature as they're heading out of town (or down the street) for Thanksgiving break. Carved chunks of turkey, mounds of mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie await. Sit back, take some time off from academia, and watch a few games of football with your racist uncle.

As students prepare to leave campus for a week, First Year Players hasn't taken any time off. We're continuing our first semester push with great events, workshops and meetings. Potential cast members had a chance to polish their acting, singing, and dancing skills with FYP staff at our final workshops in the past few weeks. Students took advantage as January auditions for Rent quickly approach. We also held interest meetings for Rent's stage crew, one of the most integral parts of the production process.

Our Find Your Place cabaret on Nov. 7 was a success. Student acts rocked the stage and helped raise money for Friends of Dorothy, an organization that provides in-home care for AIDS patients. A Friends of Dorothy representative visited an FYP staff meeting to discuss the organization and the importance of its work. FYP is proud to be aiding the organization in conjunction with our production of Rent.

After break, the semester will continue to wind down, which means auditions are coming ever closer. We couldn't be more excited.

For now, go forget about school and eat until your stomachs burst. Take advantage of home cooking. I know a few Americans in Britain who would love nothing more than an enormous heap of home cooked mashed potatoes.

Fall Semester Fun

Every year, an FYP staff member "mentors" a student in the spring musical's cast. Mentors provide guidance, advice and all kinds of free swag, contributing to the cast member's transition into the organization.

Unveiling mentors has become an annual spectacle- a series of anonymous gifts leads into staff members exposing their identities with flamboyant outfits, outlandish music, or even choreography. While mentor reveal typically takes place in the spring, FYP added a new ceremony for mentors Sunday.

A number of students join FYP's staff each fall without prior staff experience. This fall's new staff members received mentors to guide them through their first year in the organization, much like the cast each spring. Mentors revealed themselves Sunday with the typical fanfare and wild clothing that accompanies any FYP event.

Mentors will help the new staff members through the frenzied landscape of FYP weirdos while they work toward producing Rent. FYP has held and planned a bevy of events in the past few weeks, including acting, choreography, and music workshops and general interest meetings for potential cast members.

Attending students learned more about the structure of the organization and its friendly faces while relishing in some musical theater time. If you missed any of these events, don't worry- another general interest meeting will take place Thursday night at 8 p.m. Another acting, choreography, and music workshop will take place in the coming weeks, so please check out our site for more details.

Last but certainly not least, our annual Find Your Place Cabaret will take place Thursday night at 8 p.m. in Stolkin Auditorium. The event showcases a number of talented acts from within our staff and across campus. The $3 entry fee benefits Friends of Dorothy, which provides home care to people suffering from AIDS. We hope you'll come out to see some live entertainment for a great cause!

FYP- A Global Institution

While Tony Award winner Sutton Foster critiqued and serenaded a handful of FYP members in a master class last weekend, other staff continued their learning at Syracuse University institutions across the globe.

FYP staff members with Sutton Foster

Every year, a number of FYP staff members spend a semester abroad at one of SU's eight center-based

programs, as well as American programs outside of Syracuse. This fall, FYP juniors and seniors traveled to Los Angeles, London, Florence, and Hong Kong to study with SU. Despite traveling, working, and studying thousands of miles away,  our jet setters find time for the organization. 

"I don't go a day- probably not even an hour, let's be honest- without a Facebook notification, email, message or snapchat from someone in FYP," Becky Shafer, a junior magazine journalism major with two fully functional arms, said from Florence. "It's great to feel so connected to the organization."

Bailey Pfohl and Becky Shafer in Florence

Others, like sculpted and rebellious creative advertising major Drew Muller, have barely noticed they've been away from the organization. Electronic communication, the presence of other FYP staff, and the culture have made him feel like FYP came to London with him.

"To be honest, I've hardly noticed that I haven't been constantly surrounded by FYPeeps," Muller said over the power chords leaving his computer, emanating loathing for the establishment. "We've been to a bunch of musicals, and everyone in London is well-dressed and super fierce."

One of the perks of living in Europe is the ease of traveling across international borders, something our FYPers have taken advantage of this fall. A contingent of organized, prompt Londoners will make its way to visit the Florence students in November for something junior art history major and Florence student Bailey Pfohl called "the biggest baddest musical reunion ever known to this side of the Atlantic (next to ABBA)!"

Aside from travel, immersion in the culture of one's host country makes up a critical part of a semester abroad. London has already changed junior students Max Webb and Carlos Miguel Cervantes, Jr. for the better.

Some of FYP London in front of the British Museum 

Webb, surprisingly, hasn't worn sweatpants or a sweatshirt once during the fall semester. He has taken a liking to the falafel wrap from British chain Hummus Bros. Britain, though, has yet to dull his love for Beyonce.

Cervantes has embraced popular English culture head on, developing an impeccable "Geordie" accent after avid viewing of England's equivalent of the MTV program Jersey Shore. Cervantes also added that he has nearly perfected the art of making peanut butter and jelly tortilla wraps, and is currently working on publishing an academic study of the uses of salad cream, a popular British condiment.

Our talented staff makes waves across a variety of majors and professional platforms at home, and it's no surprise that they've been experiencing similar success outside of Syracuse.

Junior fashion design major Shannon Gately left the friendly confines of London academia to pursue One Direction across Australia.

Bryce Garcia, a senior television, radio and film major studying at the program's Los Angeles center, works as a production intern at Dreamworks Animation, which he described as a "playground for adults." Garcia is working on the film Home, starring Rihanna, who REALLY wants to meet him. Pretty badly.

Bryce Garcia with all of Hollywood in his hand

Ben Mitchell, a junior broadcast and digital journalism major, has spent the semester at SU's center in Hong Kong attempting to stave off longing looks at his defined jaw, marvelous mustache, and perfectly symmetrical face. At the conclusion of his classes, he'll spend time interning with CNN International before returning to the states.

Mitchell reflected what each FYP study abroad member has said- the organization goes with him wherever he travels. Despite living continents away, these students maintain contact with one another, carry on inside jokes, and even contribute to the functioning of the organization back in Syracuse. Travelers could leave FYP behind when they hop on the plane, but each of these students has chosen not to. That's where the beauty of the organization lies.

Ben Mitchell with his idol Mao Zedong

"Despite being in Hong Kong- thousands of miles from the Beyonce-obsessed, chore-loving and belt-crazy members of FYP- I can't shake my attachment to the organization," Mitchell said. "I made an 'Out Tonight' pun before going to a club and everyone looked at me like I was nuts. I am nuts. But in FYP, that's just par for the course."