Noah VanderVeer-Harris was a member of the 2019 GFTF ensemble while also serving as the publicity intern for the Department of Theatre and Dance during the same period. He appeared in the festival’s production of the new musical Fat Kid Rules the World. Noah shares his insight into why you should be a member of GFTF which has been re-branded as Catalyst: A Think Tank Theatre.

“Nothing bonds a community more than building something together,” said VanderVeer-Harris. “GFTF, also referred to the Ground and Field Theatre Festival, is a community experience made to educate and enhance the lives of all the artists and art it produces. Theatre in the community is vibrant here in Davis, California, and since its inception three years ago, GFTF has been an experiment in binding together audiences and the ensemble in a way that is community friendly, environmentally sustainable, and morally sound.”

“GFTF aims not only to present full productions, the festival offers other works for the stage which are not ready for complete production, and merely need actors to play characters and some secondary directorial opinions for further development. Scripts change all the time in GFTF, which is as exciting as it is challenging for the actors: the writers and composers who applied to GFTF accompany their scripts in the room with professional actors, directors, students, and often invited community members. In the truest sense, it is a collaborative process. Each individual is a piece of the puzzle — working together, sharing opinions, and coming together making the collaboration come to life in six weeks.”

“The best artists are learning all the time: about themselves, their environment, the universe, and anything in between, absorbing and applying new information constantly. GFTF is one place where that level of learning is not only possible but supported in full for a speedy six weeks every year. Audition for GFTF (Catalyst).”

Online auditions are open to all UC Davis students. Submissions must be received by June 14. For details, please visit this link.