Photo by: Hunter Stevens

People who were outside Sturm Hall at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, may have noticed something strange happening. A group of students from the theater department donned white masks and stood outside of Sturm Hall handing out pieces of paper and interacting with passers-by.

The event, which lasted about 30 minutes, was a staged happening and the group is looking to make this a weekly event.

“We just want to make people think about things differently and to get them thinking about performances in a different way,” said founding member Lauren Mills

Developed in the 1960s, happenings were exactly what they sound like: non-structured events that occurred with minimum planning and organization. Happenings are based on the belief that art should not be restricted to museums; galleries, theaters or concert halls.

Rather it should be present  everywhere, like on a street corner, in a library or at a bus stop. The groundbreaking performers, whose work closely resembled that of the abstract artists of the day, would set up a situation and then act it out using improvisation.

Since the art form was created, happenings have remained on the fringe of theatrical traditions with groups performing stunts.

One notable performance of late was put on by the group Improv Everywhere. The performance, titled, “Frozen Grand Central,” involved a group of 200 Improv Everywhere agents who froze in the middle of the main concourse at Grand Central Station in New York City for five minutes.

After being frozen in whatever position they took, the group suddenly unfroze and went about their business as though nothing happened. Reactions from the crowd included a mix of confusion, shock and awe.

Taking from this theatrical style, the group of theater students is bent on bringing art to people. A few smiles and a whole lot of confusion from students was just what the group was looking for.

“It’s all about human interaction,” said Mills. “It forced people to get involved.”

While some students faked a phone call upon seeing the group, it seemed that students were surprised yet supportive of the group.  Others were a little confused.

“I’m guessing they are mimes,” said freshman Adam Rosen.”

“I don’t quite get it but I guess that’s the point,” sophomore Ashleigh Bowers echoed

Involving the white masks they wear, the group is formulating events around a black and white theme, saying they have  a huge list of ideas, that they have been brainstorming since last year.

These spontaneous events of art are designed to get people thinking about theater and to bring a bit of art to an otherwise ordinary day.

As the year progresses, Mills says to “keep an eye out” for the group’s logo which is a white piece of paper with a black box in one corner. It will be used as a sign that a new event is soon to come.