You Won't Believe What Happens When "X-Out" Hits CSUF – 5 Shocking Revelations That Will Leave You Speechless!

In an intriguing blend of comedy and drama, the production "X-Out" is set to debut on Thursday, April 9, at the Hallberg Theatre in the Clayes Performing Arts Center at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). This capstone project showcases the creativity of fourth-year students from the Devised Performance/Physical Theatre program and is penned by CSUF’s own Professor of Theatre Studies, Jack Novak.

Directed by Professor Miguel Torres Cruz, "X-Out" follows the misadventures of six high school cheerleaders on a camping trip in the woods. Their quest to master a challenging stunt for their coach takes a chaotic turn, leading to a fierce confrontation among the girls. As tensions simmer, they attempt to regain their camaraderie by conducting a séance, unwittingly inviting ghosts that begin to possess them.

The central theme revolves around unity and the concept of chosen family. As the cheerleaders navigate the haunting narratives of their spectral visitors, they also confront their own hidden secrets, all while trying to find a way back to reality.

The production process for "X-Out" has been notably unconventional. Since the inception of the project in December 2024, the students contributed significantly to character development and script creation, making it a truly collaborative effort. Priscilla Briggs, a fourth-year devised theatre major portraying the character Maris, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I’m really excited for the audience to see a more current comedy that has humor that was kind of written for us.”

One of the standout features of this performance is its dynamic physicality and creative lighting effects that enhance the storytelling. Cory Smith, a fourth-year technical theatre major and production stage manager, plays a crucial role in orchestrating these elements. He elaborated, “I take what the playwright gives and I’m making sure the actors are following that. I’m taking the director’s vision and then talking to the designers and getting what he needs to bring that all to life.” Smith is responsible for ensuring that the production runs smoothly, coordinating the actors' schedules, and managing the performance itself.

The climax of "X-Out" features an elaborate cheer performance, choreographed by cheerleading coach Linda Laughrun. This finale pushes the students to step out of their comfort zones. Lyra Paez, another fourth-year devised theatre major who plays Matilda and is featured as a flyer in the final cheer sequence, shared her pride in the team’s efforts: “We all kind of came together and created this really cool number at the end, this huge cheer number. I’m really proud of our work. I’m a flyer and I’m really scared of heights so I’m doing things that I’ve never thought I could ever do in my entire life.”

Unlike traditional theatre productions where a clear hierarchy exists—typically with the director at the pinnacle—“X-Out” represents a different paradigm. Torres Cruz explained, “A typical play is like a pyramid. You have the director at the top, and then it goes down all the way down to the bottom — but the person leading is the director. This specific show, this specific program, the BFA devised program, is different in that it turns that pyramid upside down.” This collaborative structure fosters creativity and inclusivity, allowing each student to contribute their unique perspectives.

Audiences will have the opportunity to see "X-Out" at the Hallberg Theatre until April 18, showcasing not only the talent of CSUF's student body but also the innovative approaches emerging from contemporary theatre education.