The Party Planner

While the Princeton University Players may be well known for their musical performances at 185 Nassau Street, what happens behind the scenes is equally exciting. No, we’re not talking about their wonderful backstage crew, but rather something that all theater kids love to do: party. Street brings you an exclusive interview with Robin Yang ’12, PUP’s social chair, as she spills the details on what this eclectic group of performers is up to when it is not singing operatically, delivering monologues or constructing elaborate sets.

Q: If you could describe PUP’s parties in three words, what would they be?

A: Fun, spontaneous and pink.

Q: How and where does PUP organize its parties?

A: PUP throws everyone a giant cast party on the Saturday night at the end of each show. We like to get a big room in Terrace; I typically e-mail them at least two weeks in advance. In a pinch, we’ll use a big dorm room. We’ve had some parties in the Feinberg “Playhouse” and the Wilson “Octopus”.

Q: What kind of games do you have at the parties?

A: We play classics like “Never Have I Ever” and “Truth or Dare,” because it’s fun to get to know embarrassing stuff about each other. We also like to appropriate things and are fans of “Sexy Jenga,” where players are asked to do “sexy” stunts, such as switching clothes with someone, and I’ll leave other stunts to your imagination. We don’t do too many “fratty” things but will sometimes play “Kings” to start off the night.

Q: What are some of your favorite activites at these parties?

A: Well, it really varies depending on the crowd, but sometimes we have crazy “Bananagrams” or a game of good old “Charades” since everyone’s a fabulous actor! A sing-through of the musical always happens — these parties are great for people who want to show off, and that’s always the case with us theater kids. We love attention; it’s the dynamic that we’re used to, and we try to one-up each other (in a fun way) at the parties.

Q: What is the social scene of the board members? Do you have more frequent socials?

A: Board members go to every cast party because we organize posters, help design and build sets, write blurbs about the show, etc. We’re very comfortable around each other and have a fun annual slumber party and even spontaneous “Captain Planet” watching sessions. We also go to a Broadway show in the city every year and have recently set up an annual alumni reception that should happen again this year, since it is our 25th anniversary.

Q: I heard about a “passing down the shoes” tradition. Can you elaborate?

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A: This was invented by the Class of 2007 where the “craziest partier” of PUP, the person who was in charge of making sure everyone’s having fun, was given a pair of hot pink heels. This person appoints a new member to pass down the heels to at the beginning of every calendar year. This member must wear the heels to every party and start off the games.

Q: What do you think differentiates PUP’s parties from those of other groups?

A: I think the biggest difference is that our parties aren’t seen as a pregame leading to the Street — it’s not a drink-and-leave situation. We’re there because we want to spend time together. There’s a lot more longevity to our parties. We don’t have an agenda or place to go; we come together to celebrate the art we’ve created together. I love this, because it’s a really nice way to detox after the intense rollercoaster a show can be and to enjoy our last night together before going back to the reality of Princeton.

Interview conducted, condensed and edited by Sejal Pachisia.