Students Invited to Attend Aug. 29 Planning Meeting

A spook-fest over the radio waves is being planned for the Halloween season as KMSU hosts a Thursday, Aug. 29, meeting of the Fountaineers Radio Drama Troupe.

The meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. will be at the KMSU studio on the second floor of the Alumni Building.

Shelly Pierce, co-host of the KMSU Shuffle Function Morning Show and troupe coordinator, said the session will begin preparation for two original radio dramas written by members of the Minnesota State Mankato community. Both are part of an imaginative–if not campy–Halloween anthology that will be broadcast on KMSU sometime in September.

The first piece written by James Mackey, graphic designer with Creative Productions, is titled “I Was A Teenage Martian Zombie Caveman From Outer Space.” The 15-minute romp with an audio cast that includes a swamp creature and “a screamer,” is a comedy about the horrors of teenage love.

A second half-hour production, “Calyptra,” written by MSU student Destyni Gessner is a thriller about unsolved murders, suspicious new neighbors and a moth man. Another feature may be something from the Fountaineers namesake, Judson Fountain. Considered the “Ed Wood of radio,” Fountain was an American actor and producer known for creating of low-budget, horror-themed radio dramas during the 1960s and 1970s. His work is celebrated for its earnest, yet campy style.

“We will be doing both of those pieces and a Judson Fountain Radio Drama as well if time allows,” Pierce said. “I hope to make it in the vein of a Tales Of The Crypt Keeper show, with a horror show host in between each piece to tie it all together.”

While both shows have been cast by troupe members, the planning meeting is a good opportunity to learn about the troupe, join and get involved with future shows. Members can be involved in other aspects of the show including the creation of fake old-time commercials that will run with the broadcast.

“You don’t necessarily have to have any experience. Most don’t,” she said. “It’s an opportunity to do something different. Dip your toes in and see what it’s like.”

The troupe is a mixture of MSU students and community members which Pierce sees as an added bonus.

“Students get to know community members,” she added. “Not just in the little world of MSU. It’s a supportive group. No one is going to point fingers.”

The shows air on KMSU and the station’s Minnesota Music Channel. The troupe’s most recent show, “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.” takes on a 1950s vibe. Pierce simply calls it “goofy.”

I won’t say it’s a Christmas classic, but it is a Christmas movie.” she said.

Another big project slated for next year is a radio classic as the troupe attacks “War of the Worlds.”