Don’t dream it, be it

Sydney Prather, A+E Team Leader|May 13, 2016

Cult classic film The Rocky Horror Picture Show has been a local staple since the formation of the Absent Friends shadow cast in 2010. Crowds gather once a month in the Evergreen Theatre to see the bizarre story on the big screen. The cast is made entirely of Memphians, including White Station senior, Jeremy Thordarson.

Shadow cast performances have been popular since 1976 when the first show was performed in New York City. A shadow cast is when actors perform a show while the movie plays in the background. The actors interact with the audience, and the audience responds by yelling a set audience script that makes fun of the film.

For Thordarson, the cast became part of his life when his sister took him to the show at 16.

“I loved it,” Thordarson said, “I was so confused seeing all these crazy people, but it was amazing.”

Two years ago, Thordarson became an official cast member. In his time with Absent Friends, he has played several roles in the production, including Columbia, Trixie and his favorite character, Frank-N-Furter.

“Frank is definitely my favorite,” Thordarson said, “Everyone goes crazy when you come out on stage.”

Beyond Absent Friends, Thordarson is active in the White Station theatre scene. He has recently appeared as Leaf Coneybear in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Mr. DePinna in You Can’t Take It With You. However, Rocky Horror is distinctly different from a normal production.

“There’s a lot of audience interaction which I love. Usually the audience just sits and watches, but here they’re actually a part of it which is great. You yell at them and they yell back and it makes it a good experience for everyone,” Thordarson said.

The production has been a major part of Thordarson’s life, and he encourages others to get involved.

“We’re all very close. It’s super mellow and everyone is just like a big family,” Thordarson said.

The Absent Friends perform the second Friday of every month at the Evergreen and tickets are only $10.  All are welcome as long as you are willing to have a good time.