San Luis Obispo Theatre

Marley Sarro talks with us about her experience with Improv comedy Theatre is full of rehearsed lines, carefully planned scenes, and polished performances—but what happens when you throw all of that out and make it up as you go? At Cal Poly , the improv group Smile and Nod thrives on unpredictability, turning audience suggestions into fast-paced, off-the-cuff comedy.  To get a sense of what makes improv special from an audience perspective, I spoke with Marley Sarro, a freshman at Cal Poly who has attended multiple Smile and Nod performances.  Q & A Q: Share your background with theatre, if any? A: I did theatre from fifth grade until senior year of high school. I did a little bit of improv as well in middle school.  Q: What initially drew you to Smile and Nod? Was it your first time watching improv? A: I used to go to all the improv shows that my high school team held and I was like oh hey it's pretty cool that our college has one as well so I decided to check it ou...

As the cast of Clue: The Mus ical rehearses their lines and perfects their comedic timing, another team works quietly behind the scenes, bringing the world of the play to life—one paint stroke at a time. In Cal Poly’s stagecraft class, students like Zoey Meraz transform raw materials into elaborate set pieces that will transport audiences into Mr. Boddy’s mysterious mansion. On this particular day, Meraz is focused on painting the towering pillars that will soon frame the stage, giving the set its grand, stately feel. Using sponges to create layers of depth and texture, she carefully dabs shades of yellow over a pink base, blending the colors to create a warm, aged effect. While the actors take center stage during performances, Meraz and her classmates ensure the world they inhabit is just as compelling. From painting props to constructing backdrops, stagecraft students are the unsung artists behind the magic of theater—blending creativity, craftsmanship, and long hours of hard work t...

To bring the classic board game to life for Cal Poly’s “ Clue: The Musical ” a handful of students spent hours recreating a mansion for the stage, with tall columns and an epic entryway. “Just yesterday, we had to create these hidden door pieces for parts of the pillars that swing open at different times and parts during the show for a big dramatic reveal,” said Declan Henry, a freshman in Cal Poly’s Stagecraft class. The Stagecraft team consists of approximately 25 students who have been constructing the set for Clue. A couple of other students come to help with minor detailing. In this class students paint, build, and detail. Professor Richard Jackson, who oversees the team, explained how they executed the designers' vision.  “A handful of students are in runcrew so the students actually working on construction is roughly 25 or so and some of the runcrew students will come in and help with stage production so we have roughly 28-30 people working on the show.” Jackson said....

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's Production of Clue: The Musical (based on the board game) In the world of immersive theater, you are not just watching the show— your part of it , like solving a murder mystery in Cal Poly’s upcoming production of “ Clue . ”   In a time where screens have taken over and traditional theater fights to hold attention, immersive productions turn the audience into participants. mingling with actors, choosing where to go, and even influencing the narrative.   This genre taps into the human craving for experience over observation. The concept aligns perfectly with the “experience economy,” a growing trend where consumers value unique, personal engagements over material goods . It is the same impulse that makes escape rooms, themed pop-up bars, and interactive museums popular. Immersive theater offers a deeply personal journey rather than a one-size-fits-all performance.   So, how does it work? Immer...