The Founding of First Year Players
At the University of Virginia, first-year students often
find it difficult to become involved with theatrical productions
in the Drama Department. In these productions, first-years must
compete against upperclass drama majors - and even graduate
students - for acting roles. In the spring of 1977, with the urge
to provide first-year students with their own spotlight, University
of Virginia campus minister Ed Golden cast first-years in a performance
of the musical Godspell at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. The show
was a tremendous success, representing the first unofficial production
by the student theater group that would become First Year Players (FYP).
Though he personally was not a performer, Ed Golden loved theater
and knew it could be a positive, creative outlet for first-year
students who may be unable to get involved elsewhere at the University.
He also recognized that a student-run group would provide artistic and
leadership opportunities for upperclassmen. When Golden became Assistant
Dean of Students for the First Year Residence Life Program in 1980, he
recruited students Cathy Cannon and Bonnie Gelazek to formally lead
an organization that would produce a musical each spring.
The group First Year Players was officially formed in 1981. Featuring a
cast of first-years and performing mainly in the U.Va. Law School auditorium,
FYP's early productions included Guys & Dolls, Brigadoon,
and Fiddler on the Roof.
Golden left U.Va. in 1985 and eventually became Vice President for Student
Affairs at Syracuse University, where he founded another branch of
First Year Players
in the 1990s. At the University of Virginia, the original FYP group became
an entirely student-run Contracted Independent Organization (CIO), producing one
musical every semester in the Student Activities Building. Productions
have ranged from classics such as Damn Yankees and Grease to less
traditional shows such as Sugar, Big River, and Victor/Victoria.
First Year Players Today
Currently in its third decade, First Year Players is
the most successful student-run theater organization at the University
of Virginia. FYP remains true to Golden's vision with a two-pronged mission:
to provide the U.Va. community with quality musical theater, and to create
an artistic, supportive atmosphere for first-year students. Although the
cast is still entirely composed of first-years, FYP incorporates students
of all ages and interests: student technicians, directors, musicians, and
administrators work year-round to raise funds, produce shows, and manage
the organization. The many different areas of FYP - cast, staff, tech, and
pit - come together every semester to form one dedicated, talented family.
Historic events have proven that the spirit of First Year Players is
indomitable. In the early morning hours of March 31, 1998, the group
encountered a daunting situation. In the Student Activities Building (SAB),
where all FYP shows are performed, a water pipe pulled out of the wall,
flooding the entire building. FYP could have lost all of its sets, costumes,
props, and electronics, but luck spared most FYP property from damage. Still,
repairs to the SAB would be devastatingly expensive, and FYP was expected to
cover them. But despite this potentially demoralizing setback, as soon as the
organization had permission to re-enter the building, every FYP member began
working tirelessly to ensure that the show - Guys & Dolls - could open
as planned. On the evening of final dress rehearsal, an unexpected donation from
the Z Society appeared at the door, sparing FYP from spending all of its
savings and show proceeds on the SAB repairs. Through the determination of the
cast, staff, and tech crew - combined with the generosity of the Z Society -
First Year Players triumphed. Even thousands of gallons of water could not
wash away the dedication and spirit of FYP.
