Air guitar, music, dance numbers, and good old rock-n-roll – “Airness” will lift you up and send you back into the world humming with joy and a renewed sense of humanity. The Adams State University Theatre Department production, “Airness” opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 24, on the San Luis Valley Federal Bank Main Stage Theatre, located in the Theatre Building. It runs through Sunday, May 3 at 2 p.m.
Written by Chelsea Marcantel, in 2019, and directed by Professor of Theatre Jenna Neilsen, “Airness” is a lighthearted look at the world of air guitar competitions. “At its heart, Airness is about a young woman trying to find her place in the world and ultimately finding her people,” Neilsen said. “We all want to find the people who support us in becoming the best person we can be.”
The characters perform air guitar to rock songs from the 70s through the early 2000s, from every genre of rock, that lend themselves to guitar solos. “This is a fun production and reflects the philosophy of air guitar, which is about collaboration not competition,” Neilsen added.
There are six pillars of air guitar including technical ability, originality, feeling, artistic merit, charisma, and airness. “Throughout the play, the veterans of air guitar try and explain airness to newcomer, Nina,” Neilsen said. The characters define airness as the “ability to transcend the fact you are not holding a guitar. It links to the feeling you got when as a kid you would rock out in your bedroom filled with joy, and before you were old enough to worry about looking cool.”
The entire idea of air guitar as a competitive sport was born when, in response to an assignment to promote world peace, a group of Finnish college students organized the first competition. Although now the world of air guitar includes competitions, from regional to international, the focus at every level is camaraderie and support and world peace.
The production includes seven actors, from graduating seniors and first-year actors, as well as a sophomore and junior. Light design is by senior Jay Lobeck, set design by sophomore Chaz Childress, and costume design by first-year student Sam Southards. For the first time, Neilsen has an assistant director, senior Kris Fleecs, who also is the sound designer and choreographer.
“This is a fun play, and it has buoyed my world. It is an opportunity to be silly and embrace the goofy side of our personalities.”
“Airness” begins at 7:30 p.m. April 24 and 25, and May 1 and 2, with a 2 p.m. matinee on May 3. The production is rated R for profanity but contains no nudity or violence. The 90-minute play does make use of flash lighting and fog for special effects.
General admission tickets are $13 and free to Associated Students and Faculty with current Adams State identification. Tickets may be purchased at theatre.adams.edu, reserved by calling 719-587-8499, or in-person at the box office, from 2:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
