By Libby Boehmer, Staff Writer

Something was lurking in the Gallagher Student Center (GSC)  basement the past two weekends as Xavier Theatre put on the world premiere of Summer Slaycation!

Summer Slaycation follows Tyler Hamrick and his three friends as they uncover the paranormal source of the mysterious murders that have plagued their town since the 1960s. The show takes inspiration from the horror movies of that era and has a wide range of references from both modern times and the past. They put on the show from March 28 to April 6 in the Black Box theater located in the basement of the GSC.

Summer Slaycation’s plot differed with each performance because the show relies on the choices of audience members to determine what will happen to its characters. There are over 1.4 million possible versions of the show, so the actors themselves did not even know which version they would going to perform each night. 

Instead of memorizing lines, the actors read off projections and characterized them as they went. Without a consistent script, the actors had to get to know their characters deeply to give a realistic portrayal amidst the fantastical elements of the show.

“It’s a very different process than any show I’ve done in the past where it’s all about memorizing lines… it helps me stay in the moment and I feel like I’m able to react as my character would react in that moment instead of anticipating a reaction,” sophomore musical theatre major Luke Heetderks, the actor who played Tyler Hamrick, said. 

The audience’s input determined anything from what kind of monster movies would be performed to how the mystery that the show revolved around would be solved. The main four actors played only one character, but an ensemble cast each played multiple characters and had to be able to switch between personas at the drop of a hat.

“I’ll be backstage with my hands on four different costume pieces waiting to hear what an audience member chooses before I can know what I’m going to put on or if I’m even going to throw anything on at all. It’s been really fun because it keeps everything really fresh and exciting,” member of the ensemble senior musical theatre and sociology double major Tate Clemons, said.

The set had to be just as adaptable as the players. Upon entering the Black Box theatre, audience members were transported to a drive-in movie theatre, complete with shimmering curtains framing a large projection screen. Backstage, a crew member changed out several hand drawn backgrounds that would appear on the projection screen, emulating the 1960s horror movies the show drew inspiration from.

There was no way to predict which props or costumes would be needed next. The crew had to stay organized and be quick to keep up with the direction the show went.

 “It’s the fun kind of stress that you get to be like ‘Oh, now it’s time to go. We gotta get this done,’ and when it actually happens and everything gets out on stage, even if it’s a fight scene we’ve never done before… It’s really cool. It’s one of the most unique shows I’ve ever worked on,” sophomore theatre performance major and assistant stage manager, Loretta Rubin said.

When Xavier Theatre picked up the show, it had not been written. The show was not fully finished until a couple weeks before the opening night. The playwright, Trey Tatum, attended many rehearsals as he was writing the show. Many of the main characters’ personalities were based heavily on the actors playing them. 

“Because the characters are very based on ourselves… It’s difficult for me to see anything other than the worst parts of myself in his character… but other people are able to see the good parts and it’s very self-reflective,” Heetderks said.

Summer Slaycation was the last production of the 2024-2025 season for Xavier Theatre.

As unique and sometimes challenging as the show was, the cast and crew of Summer Slaycation worked incredibly hard to put on a show that was ever-changing and managed to deliver on all fronts.