Feature Story

Feature Outline
Whistling in the Dark is a relatively new theatre, and the feature story will focus on the company’s impact in the Columbus theatre scene. Two of the three creators are available for interviews (Dwayne Blackaller and Kal Poole; Scott Wilson has moved to Florida) Interesting topics are the following:

What was the main incentive for creating the company?
-so far, I have learned when the 3 creators were graduating as grad students last year, they thought there were few to no companies in Columbus (something they were dead wrong with) The company was also created to be what Blackaller calls a “Boy’s club.” Whistling would give the opportunity to perform weird contemporary works they liked and also new works they created.

Partnerships along with other Columbus artists
-Blackaller gave some insight on how companies have contacted each other to make sure no one was stepping on anyone’s toes. Also, the space Whistling rents is located in the South Campus Gateway and is shared by other art companies and these companies are not restricted to theatre. I got a hint of an alliance around OSU campus that promotes all kinds of art in the area of South Campus and Short North. Of course, I’ll have to investigate.

Sunday Staged Readings
-Every Sunday at 7:00 p.m. is a staged reading of some kind. I have seen two performances so far: “The Hunter,” which was the original script for “Predator,” and “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the short story. They are events held at The Shoebox in South Campus Gateway for $3 a person. Whistling takes anything on request, and is also willing to perform anything new, written by Columbus residents.

Performances
-“The Lady in Black” is the biggest show so far for Whistling and they have been hyping a long going project “The Science of Fiction” for a long time. Yet, “The Lady in Black” has been performed twice with major alterations. The first time being before the company was even created, but still containing the main three men.

Collaboration with OSU
- Many theatre students from OSU have performed for Whistling, whether it was a staged performance or a staged reading. OSU theatre professors have also lent a hand to offering short ideas and performances for the company. There also a mildly successful comedy group performing alongside the name of Whistling in the Dark where all of it’s members come fro OSU theatre.

Social Media
A website, titled capitalcityradio.org is a blogging news site that actually has an interview one of the creators, Dwayne Blackaller about his work in the Columbus Arts. There is also a facebook post from Blackaller's account promoting another interview with Joy Reilly, the OSU theatre critic.
Judging from social medias, Kal Poole is a lot less talkative compared to Blackaller.