SOCORRO, N.M. – Take a break from your studies, worries and the COVID-19 drama with a little comedic relief on Thursday, Nov. 19.

New Mexico Tech’s CLASS Department presents “13 Ways to Screw Up Your College Interview.” The play will be live-streamed from the Macey Center at 7:30 p.m., with link available at nmt.edu/pas.

The theater students chose a play that was “really silly because of the situation we’re all in,” said professor Theresa Apodaca. They have been rehearsing in the Jean Macey Recital Hall using correct distancing guidelines.

When two college recruiters at a prestigious university need to fill one last spot to keep their jobs, 13 eccentric, dimwitted and slightly-insane potential students are eager to come in for an interview. What seems like a simple task turns into a nightmare when the applicants turn out to be a reality TV star, a practicing vampire, an amateur magician, a Stepford-ish wife and others that are much, much worse. Each applicant’s interview hilariously illustrates what NOT to do at a college interview.

As for rehearsals: “It’s not been an ideal situation,” Apodaca said. “Sometimes it has felt like a play within a play – a comedy in a drama or a drama in a comedy.” 

The play features interviewers Luke Dierks and Justin Aley. The would-be students are portrayed by Marshall Gold, Aaron Gonzales, Nathan Reynolds, Christopher Atlee Gaddis, Logan Miranda, Erik Frederickson, Connor Butler, Trevor Fields, Ruben Rodriguez-Hernandez, and Margarita Sandoval. Some play multiple roles, adding to the enjoyment and fun.

Theresa Apodaca is the director and also plays a role in the comedy. Sheri Armijo has been in charge of costumes. 

“All the students have been great to work with,” Apodaca said. “They really like coming here, not just staring at a computer screen. There’s good energy in the face-to-face interactions.”

For more information, visit nmt.edu/pas or call 575-835-5688.

– NMT –