Real guns used in 'Assassins'

When you think of a big budget show, an elaborate set and costumes come to mind. "Assassins" has that. It also has real guns and a huge lighted that says "Kill a President."\n"Assassins" is a unique look at nine historical figures who tried to assassinate nine American presidents produced by University Players, an all-student theater group at IU. Although "Assassins" is the group's most expensive show to date, admission is free. \nMore than $10,000 has been spent on the show so far and the number grows every day, said University Players Artistic Director senior Michael Paolini. \n"This is certainly the largest endeavor University Players has ever done," Paolini said.\nThe University Players, which formed in 1997, puts on plays that are produced, designed and directed by undergraduates.\nStudents pay dues to become members of the University Players, but the large budget for "Assassins" was made possible by a grant from the IU Student Association and support from the Union Board. \n"We also did some creative fund raising," Paolini said.\nFunds from the Union Board and IUSA were supplemented by donations from faculty members and businesses.\nAs well as a big budget, "Assassins" also employs a great deal of human capital. More than 60 undergraduates have been working on all aspects of the production.\n"Each student is vital and integral to the success of the show," Paolini said.\nA total of 46 shots during the production will be fired with real guns, said Master of Arms and junior Brenden Hill . Although the guns will use blanks, they are still dangerous if anyone is near the barrel when the guns are discharged, Hill said.\n"They're never pointed directly at anyone," Hill said.\nThe play's purpose is to make people look more critically at the myth of the American dream and consider whether society is at fault when those who are left behind by the American dream lash out against those at the top of society, Paolini said. \n"Assassins" includes music that spans diverse time periods and genres. It also has a good deal of dark comedy, Paolini said.\n"It's like a more adult and sophisticated 'Family Guy,'" Paolini said.\nThe show is challenging both in content and form, according to a press release. Paolini said the challenge is putting on a show that is serious, funny and musical at the same time.\n"The show asks the audience to spend time with these characters and not sympathize with them, but not brush them off as madmen," Paolini said.\nPeople who come to see "Assassins" should expect the unexpected, said Director George Eric Zobel.\n"It's like a roller coaster ride through the underbelly of American history," Zobel said.\nIU transfer student and junior Rachael Sickmeier plays Sara Jane Moore, Gerald Ford's would-be assassin.\n"You find yourself laughing," Sickmeier said. "Then you say 'Wait, wait a second, wait, somebody dies because of this.'"\nAlthough "Assassins" will be a full-scale musical, Paolini said the production is really about the educational process.\n"We're doing this to grow as artists," Paolini said.\n-- Contact Staff Writer David Charles at dacharle@indiana.edu.