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• CoMMoN Theatre performs in your living room

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The CoMMoN Theatre project is about to put a whole new twist on the meaning of dinner and a show.

One of the newest additions to the CU theater scene, this four-person ensemble plans to perform small, intimate pieces — within the comfort of your own home. Audience members will trade theater seats for couches and stools as CoMMoN Theatre creates an intimate, in-your-face atmosphere in the existing space.

The CoMMoN Theatre project was brought into existence by Cara Maurizi, a local music teacher and singer. A single mother, Maurizi chose to stay in CU for her children, rather than move to Chicago to pursue her acting career. The flexibility and freedom of a small, independent theater company seemed a perfect solution.

“I needed a way to feed my creative soul, otherwise I’d shrivel up and die,” Maurizi says. “With [CoMMoN Theatre] I can set the rehearsal schedule. I don’t have to leave my house or get a babysitter.”

Maurizi then contacted another local actor, Matt Fear, who had wanted to put on a production of Patrick Marber’s "Closer" for a while. Fear immediately suggested casting Mathew Green, a good friend with whom he had been in several shows. The final ensemble member, Nicole Powers, had recently moved to Champaign and was introduced to Fear at a Halloween party. After their first read-through in January, the group knew it was a fit.

“The four of us really clicked as a cast, totally by happenstance,” says Fear. “I love how stuff like that works. Once you get a chance [like this], you have to jump on it.”

Since CoMMoN Theatre doesn’t have a permanent performance space yet, they plan to perform wherever they can—including in people’s homes (their debut performance will be in the apartment of Boltini Lounge manager Robb Tobias). Fear says that performing in intimate spaces with minimal lighting and sets requires a different, more subtle acting style than traditional theater.

“[Audience members] see everything, so you have to be in character the whole time,” explains Fear. “It’s definitely more challenging because when an audience sits in theater seats, they’re looking at the stage. When you’re in a living room, they’re sitting on couches and bar stools, so you have to do all you can to keep them in the play.”

Maurizi agrees, adding that the setting allows the actors to become acquainted with audience members even before the performance begins. This, she says, allows the audience to become a part of the play and will hopefully add a layer of excitement to the experience.

“When they think of us, I hope they think that [our performance] was just really in your face and awesome,” Maurizi says. “It’s so raw because you can’t hide behind make up and lights. You’re just there.”