Lunchbox Voodoo uniquely humors campus

By: April McLaren/ Staff Writer

Posted: 3/31/04

Sit back, kick up your feet and laugh your socks off.

"People need to laugh more," Taylor Dall, senior sociology major and Lunchbox Voodoo president said.

Recognized Student Organization, Lunchbox Voodoo, was founded by recent Eastern graduate, Drew Reaves, in the fall of 2002.

After Reaves thought of the idea of a sketch-comedy group, senior English major Erin Karson assisted Reaves in producing the RSO. While Reaves kept his ideas flowing and his imagination at work, Karson agreed to do the business aspect of the group.

Since then, the sketch-comedy group has been responsible for getting laughs not only at the shows but during show promotions.

Dall explained the group did promotions by dressing up in sumo wrestler costumes or as fighting ninjas running around campus handing out fliers and announcing the time and place of the show.

Sophomore English major Ben Marcy, who has also been a part of Lunchbox Voodoo since the fall of 2002, said promotion is a great thing for campus.

He said on the way to class, a student may actually witness a sumo wrestler running through campus chasing a Twinkie.

Marcy was in a sketch comedy group in high school and said it was one of the best experiences he had. Once he came to Eastern, he heard about the improv group Hello Dali, but decided improv was not his interest.

"I wanted something more scripted," he said. "It's more like an actual play."

While Marcy was familiar with the stage, Dall used to do behind the scenes work. Despite his lack of on-stage experience, Dall said he was bored and wanted to do something different.

Marcy was on the original executive board with Reaves and Karson to choose members of Lunchbox Voodoo through auditions. Now, Dall and the rest of the current members help with the selection process of the group in the beginning of every semester.

Marcy, Dall and Karson all agreed comedic talent is the first thing they look for, but it is more than just getting people to laugh.

"We look for someone who has different flare and different tone," Marcy said.

Marcy and Dall both said chemistry and compatibility with current members is important to see how possible new members would interact with the veterans of the RSO.

Marcy said line memorization and independent thinking is also a plus.

The sketch-comedy group uses a combination of original material and previous acts from Saturday Night Live or Monty Python for their shows.

On the other hand, Marcy prefers to write original skits.

"It shows a lot more of yourself if you're able to write your own sketches," he said. "You're able to pick out something totally new and go with it."

Karson said the name of the group came from a random drawing by Reaves.

She said when he drew a picture of a voodoo doll holding a lunch box, it came to him.

"We were trying to think of the craziest names possible," Karson said. "We wanted people to think 'What in the hell is that?'"

Lunchbox Voodoo has been hired for various groups such as University Board and the residence halls to perform. Dall said they charge anywhere from $25-$100 depending on the length of the show and are willing to play for anyone or a particular organization including greek organizations or local bars.

Lunchbox Voodoo's next show will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the lobby of Stevenson Hall.