Student-run web series “After Curfew” launches third season with new cast

After a semester off for leadership transitions, “After Curfew,” a student-run, Saturday Night Live-style comedy show, is back with new faces, new content and a whole lot of laughs.

Season three’s first episode was produced by a mostly-new cast and crew, with showrunner Jacob Harding and five other members returning from the previous season. The first episode featured videos and performances by Jonas Wells, cast members and Dryden Glod, a magician known for his magic trick wedding proposal at Convocation earlier this semester.  

Wells opened the season with a monologue tackling Liberty issues such as the parking on campus and set the record straight about the relationship status of Stephen Cook, the previous showrunner. Wells explained to fans that he believes Cook is not engaged because his Facebook relationship status on Facebook says differently, thus ending an on-going joke about Cook. 

Wells’ goal was to “let people appreciate what happened with Stephen and all of the other people in the past, since it’s technically season three … and then get to know me and the new cast.”

Similar to how “Saturday Night Live” intertwines video elements into their live show, “After Curfew” goers experienced digital skits written by Harding. One of these videos explored the concept and implications of National Favorite Chair Holiday. 

The crowd favored a video aimed at interacting with students on campus, which caught the reactions of unsuspecting students when they were asked to improvise a scene they were given on the spot. 

Grant Rye and Greta Harris also performed a movie date night skit with a disagreeing couple, written by Jake Gum. 

But then Glod stole the show.

Glod performed on the show during season two, which caught Harding’s eye, but it was Glod’s on-stage proposal during Convocation that moved Harding to get Glod on the first episode this
season. 

“It was really cool to have someone who’s kind of Liberty famous come on the show and do magic,” Harding said.

Glod and his fiancée, Emily Scherreik, spoke with Wells about their engagement, wedding plans and their goals for after graduation.

And then the magic began. 

“He’s really, really captivating on stage,” Wells said. 

Glod wowed the audience with card tricks and soda cans, miraculously refilling an empty soda can as his last trick.

Glod stayed for more than 30 minutes after the audience had left, performing more card tricks and interacting with the cast members.

“After Curfew,” however, is much more than what the audience sees onstage.  

“I honestly loved at the end when Jonas and the whole cast were on stage, and he turned around and said, ‘And this is ‘After Curfew,’’ Harding said of his favorite moment of the evening. “I loved that because it’s showing that ‘After Curfew’ is not just one person. It’s not just Jonas. It’s not just me. It is every single person that works on the show.” 

The behind-the-scenes crews include a writing team, photography and film team, graphic design team, art team, marketing team, editing team and stage team.

“Most people that are working on the show — they have a love for this,” Harding said. “And it is so cool to see that love come out when people are truly passionate about acting, about the stage, about film. It is the most fun thing in the world.”

Those working on the show apply their studies and passions in a fun and creative way, learning through the process. 

“(I enjoy) learning  how to make connections, learning how to write better, learning how to present myself and present other people in a light that makes them look good and kind of pushes it away from me and more on them,” Wells said.

“Then I get to do it on stage, which is fun, and in a way that makes everyone laugh and have a good time,” Wells said. 

“After Curfew” has five episodes planned for season three, with new skits and videos featuring more cast members, some exciting guests, live music and high hopes for many seasons to come.  

All episodes will be released on “After Curfew’s” Facebook page following their live performances. Follow @luaftercurfew on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates. 

If anyone is interested in joining the “After Curfew” team, email luaftercurfew@gmail.com.