The Student Drama Association is changing its Winter Shorts.

Usually students apply to direct plays for Student Drama Association's Winter Shorts, but this year no applications came in, so the association is taking on an improvisation project instead.

Theater major Anna Gange-Hawes said she was looking for an opportunity to do improvisation and described the fact that no one applied to be a Winter Shorts director as, "kind of serendipitous," because it provided the Student Drama Association the opportunity to try something new. Improvisation is spontaneous performance much like the popular TV show, "Whose Line is it Anyway?" The actors practice by playing games and setting up scenarios, but there is no script or definite plan. Gange-Hawes explains that this type of theater involves more audience participation. The actors will ask the audience for suggestions during some of the games.

"The disadvantages are that it is hard to prepare for an improv performance because you never know what will happen," said Rachel Blackwell, president of the Student Drama Association.

"I am disappointed that there were no submissions for plays for Winter shorts," Blackwell said, "but I am glad that we will have a chance to try out something new and different."

"Being open and creative as well as supportive of the rest of the group is all part of improv," Blackwell said. She encourages anyone interested to attend auditions Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. in the Green Room. No preparation is required. Email Anna Gange-Hawes at fsalg15@uaf.edu for more information. Performances will take place Feb. 24 and 25 at 8:15 p.m. in the lab theater.

In other theater news, the theater department will be hosting a wearable arts fashion show Saturday, Feb. 18 from 6 to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 19 from 12 to 4 p.m. in the Salisbury Theater. The show is comprised of a few student contributions but mostly of costumes from UAF performances over the past 15 years. The fashion show has been done once in the past and its coordinator, Theatre UAF costume designer Tara Maginnis, describes the audience response as more like that of a rock show than a fashion show. Rather than having an announcer explain details of the costumes, the models act out their costumes. The wide variety of costumes ranges from a giant Uncle Sam to a billowing Mother Nature.

Many models will be borrowed from the theater department, but anyone interested is welcome to model for a few costumes and all body types are needed. Both shows will be similar, but the Saturday night performance will have some "naughty" displays such as a finale with giant-sized costumes of male and female genitalia that the matinee will not. The "tamer" show on Sunday, said Maginnis, will be "the show that people will take their kids and grandmothers to." If you are interested in modeling, contact Tara Maginnis at 474-6590 or fythr@uaf.edu.