It's about to be curtains on the Duke career of Seth Weitberg. After four long years at the forefront of Duke University Improv, this Friday's Big Show in Page Auditorium at 8 p.m. will be his last. Now, one of the funniest men on campus has reached his career climax: a Recess interview. Editor Greg Veis was his sherpa on this adventure:
Recess: This is your last hurrah with DUI. Are you starting to get all gushy about it?
Seth Weitberg: A little bit. I've been so busy, I haven't had a chance to think about it too much.
Is the show considerably different than past ones?
Oh yeah, every year the show reinvents itself. We are working with so many different mediums in the show, it's inevitably different in every single way. Everything we're doing is something our audiences hasn't seen before.... Also, I'll let out that Dean Sue will be doing something pretty provocative for us this year.
How's this particular DUI group stack up?
This is first time in my four years there's been a girl [Caroline Haubold] in the group, and that was a necessary part of the evolution of the group - and she's great. Having her also changes the dynamic because when it was just a group of guys, it was like the old boys establishment.
As far as the improv is concerned, this is the most talented group I've been with. Before it was for fun, a social outlet. Every year we've gotten more interested in improv as an art, so we have a much greater work ethic than ever before, which is really exciting to me.... This group finds itself in other theatrical venues more than any group before. Almost every single member has participated in theater at Duke at some point this year.
Well, you're also doing Cabaret this weekend, too.
That's right. I am not going to any classes or my job. It's nonstop theater for me right now, but I really wouldn't want it any other way.
Okay, I'll give you a phrase or a name, and you tell me what pops in your head. Funniest person on SNL now.
Jimmy Fallon.
Funniest person ever on SNL.
Eddie Murphy.
Dustin Diamond.
You mean, Screech?
Yeah, I hate that guy. (see right)
Uh, okay.
Is there anything else you'd like to say about the show?
Well, all the money goes to the Scott Carter Foundation for Pediatric Cancer Research. This event is a huge culmination of our efforts, and the money goes to the right place.
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