Indiana University student organization University Players  turned a tiny studio into a  a rocking concert. The students banded together to put on Greenday’s American Idiot: The Musical. 

 

 

 

 

The musical is a rock-opera based on Greenday’s 2004 concept album, American Idiot. When the production was first produced, it was a smash hit all across the United States. It even won two Tony Awards and a Grammy.  

The production follows three young adults as they search for their purpose in life. Main character Johnny hits the streets of the big city, his friend Tunny enlists in the army, and Will tries to become a functioning parent. The trio encounter love and addiction.  

IU Senior and production director Nina Donville has always felt connected to the musical. 

“ I’ve been listening to the  album of American Idiot since I was, gosh, like a kindergartner,” Donville said.  On Donville’s’ 18th birthday she had the iconic Greenday “St. Jimmy” emblem tattooed on her side as a tribute to this musical. (Pictured below) 

Donville is a senior musical theatre major. She plans on moving to New York after graduation. She hopes to keep directing. 

All of University Player’s showings  of American Idiot sold out in two hours. The cast had to do two runs a night to accommodate the audience. 

Although the crew was not surprised by the sold-out crowds, they were surprised that the general public barely had access to the ticket sales. The University Players members pay dues to have access to tickets first and in venues with less than a hundred seats. Those are a hot item. 

The studio theatre in IU’s Neal Marshall building is a small space for such a big show. 

The studio theatre offers the audience a unique experience for productions.  The audience practically sits on stage with the actors. This creates a more relatable and intimate experience.  

Donville and St. Germain have cherished their time spent directing with the cast and crew.  They feel that this experience has been special and they are happy to be a part of an organization that allows them to create art. 

 

Here’s a little inside look at University Player’s American Idiot,

For more information on University Players and their upcoming production their website is kept up to date!