By Ashton York

Laughs, curtains, action! The local chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is preparing for the Northwest Arkansas Gridiron, an annual sketch comedy show put on by University of Arkansas students, faculty and local journalists. The show is set to take place the evenings of Oct. 11 and 12 at The Medium theater in Springdale.

Named after a grate used for broiling food, a gridiron is a show consisting of satirical skits. They are usually used to put political figures’ wrongdoings on the front burner and make fun of them, similar to “Saturday Night Live.”

The event takes after the original Gridiron Club, known for its annual dinner where select journalists and public figures gather to put on shows, skewering presidents and political candidates during a white-tie dinner in Washington, D.C.

The local gridiron focuses on both national and local news and niche stories that will only make sense to people living in the NWA area. Any political figure is subject to being the butt of the Gridiron’s jokes, no matter who they are or what party they represent.

Similarly, the NWA Gridiron is an annual show that turns politics into humor, which is more relevant than ever during an election year. Regional Arkansas journalists have been writing, directing and performing in the show since it began in 1978, according to the Gridiron website.

The Gridiron continued until 1990 before it took a hiatus due to the Gulf War. The members believed it would be inappropriate to continue their political skits in the middle of a big war.

When the show returned in 2004, it began taking place in the fall rather than spring, which benefited the writers, said Executive Editor Charlie Alison, a long-time NWA Gridiron cast member and writer who also works for UA University Relations.

“Every odd year, it was right in the middle of the legislative session, so there were things going on later that we wish we could have written about,” Alison said. “That was a big change, going from spring to fall, and I think that has helped us a lot.”

Traditionally, only journalists have been allowed to take part in the show, Alison said. This year, however, theater and music students are also encouraged to audition for a part in the show.

“We would love to welcome them as well,” Alison said. “The more people we have involved, the easier it is for each person to take a part.”

The show typically sells many tickets, but the crew is always hoping for a bigger audience, said Vivian Cummings, a performer and writer for the NWA Gridiron. Especially with the show moving to a bigger venue this year compared to past seasons, everyone involved in the show has high hopes for the turnout rate.

“I hope it keeps going, and we keep having the people working on it and resources to do it every year,” Cummings said. “I hope to reach wider audiences, too. I think it’s a really funny show, and a lot of people enjoy it, so I hope more people find out about it and come and have some good laughs.”

Anybody who auditions for the Gridiron will be given a place in the show, no matter their talent level or experience, said Stephanie Powers, a KSFM employee and cast member who joined the show last year. This year, the crew is especially looking for dancers and singers to add to the event.

The larger the overall crew is, the more diverse the show can get in terms of creativity. In past years, many cast members acted in multiple skits, which limited the size of characters in each one.

“If you don’t feel comfortable being on stage, there are other roles for you that are so important,” Powers said. “It would be so helpful to have other people just on the crew.”

Powers said her advice for people interested in joining the Gridiron crew is to simply “jump in.” She also said she thought everyone was very welcoming from the moment she showed up to auditions, and she was impressed with how invited she felt.

Many cast members of the Gridiron started working with the show because of teacher or coworker recruitment, including Powers. It was a common theme among the crew to be recruited without yet knowing what they were getting involved in.

“I thought it was just going to be a theater performance,” Powers said. “It is a performance, but also it’s a really great opportunity to network with other people who are in communications and journalism and people from the U of A.”

Much of the NWA Gridiron crew loves the program and is excited to share it with the public each year, said Powers. She said it is a show anybody can enjoy, no matter how involved they are in current events or the news.

Powers said audience members are guaranteed a laugh and will not feel out of their element.

The show also offers a learning experience, Alison said. As he got more involved, he better understood everything that goes into theatrical productions, he said.

“I got better at understanding how to write for comedy,” Alison said. “Over the years, you get better at knowing how to pause at the right time, how to work your timing as a performer. Also, a lot of the background stuff, like sets and props and even makeup. It’s not intended to be academic, but you do learn things.”

Alison said he believes the most rewarding part of the NWA Gridiron is having an audience to support the fundraising.

“There are cast members who would say they love it when the audience (applauds),” Alison said. “I like it when they just show up. The performances are just bonus.”

There will be two casting calls for the show, and members of the Gridiron have welcomed everyone to audition. The first call will be at 7 p.m. on Sept. 4 at Giffels Auditorium in Old Main. The second is set for 2 p.m. on Sept. 8 at Kimpel Hall 102. 

Tickets for the NWA Gridiron will go on sale closer to the time of show on the official website. The proceeds from ticket sales fund local journalism scholarships and provide professional development for students and journalists.