Behind the Doors of Studio A

Bi-weekly update hosts Joe Catalanello '26 and Tyler Catalano '28. Photo by Caleb Tysz '26

At around 9:30 p.m. outside the door of room 004 in the Lowell Thomas basement, one can hear the faint sound of muffled laughter and overlapping voices. What is inside that room would be the beginning stages of one of the most beloved media shows on campus, Studio A. 

This show is run through the Marist Club Television (MCTV), a student-run television channel that streams on YouTube and shoots a new video every Monday and Wednesday. Their shows include Studio A, Halftime on the Hudson, Quiz Show and a News shoot. Studio A has been running for 14 seasons, with no end in sight. 

Every other Tuesday of the month, the club hosts a “writers' room” where anyone can join in to pitch ideas for the next episode of their Studio A productions. Studio A is a comedy show that is made up of live bits, sketches, monologues and a biweekly comedy news section.

Despite the informal atmosphere of laptops and lollipops, the writers’ room operates with clear organization. Meetings are met with a round of idea pitches, allowing participants to present everything from topical satire to character-driven sketches. After each pitch, the room can be found in intersecting conversations as everyone bounces off one another’s ideas. The room then discusses and refines the pitches and assigns drafts and deadlines. Some ideas get used for the upcoming episode, and some are used in later episodes.

Post meeting, the producers of Studio A, Brielle Polizzano ‘26 and Nate DiNome ‘26, will take these ideas and create full scripts for the episodes. Throughout the week of non-Studio A shoots, they will send out a casting call to see what piques interest and who would be able to fill in for the sketches/bits. The shoot is done the following Monday, and then the video gets put into the editing process, and the cycle continues the next week.

The producers will also group members of the club who are willing to be a part of the production. These roles include teleprompter, three camera operators, floor manager, switcher, audio and JIB operator (a boom device with a camera at the end). There are even live bits that require no preparation that members can join in on and be a part of the entertainment. 

When filming begins at 9:15 p.m., lights shine onto the set and the bits begin. Each segment gets broken down into separate filming processes. While watching the video post-editing, it would seem as though each bit gets recorded one after the other, but that would not be true. The team breaks the filming down into doing the longest segments (games or interviews) first and the shortest ones (the opening and closing monologues) last. 

This club is open to anyone of any major on campus. Because of this, Studio A becomes a melting pot during the shoot. Students make friendships while sharing the challenge of producing original content under time constraints. The lively atmosphere encourages risk-taking and creativity, helping participants support one another when sketches need work and celebrate when they succeed.

“I have made some of my best friends at Marist through MCTV,” said Tyler Catalano ‘28, publicity representative of MCTV. “I am truly excited to keep working with them as we move forward as an organization.”

This community aspect is particularly valuable in the high-pressure context of college life. The room offers a constructive outlet that students can use when they are stressed, and it is a space where collaboration replaces competition.

Through this club, students can get experience in hands-on work in broadcasting, editing or even acting. Students who are interested in anything pre-, during or post-production can find a home in MCTV, while also having fun. 

The board of MCTV hopes that the popularity of Studio A continues to grow throughout the year. Students who want to obtain experience, or simply get a good laugh, are able to join the filming process as it gets filmed live. The show has been filling more seats in the live audience that watches the show's filming process. 

“It has been so exciting having a larger group of people to laugh and also contribute to the show,” said Josh Lawrence ‘28, host of Studio A and treasurer of MCTV. “It holds me to a higher standard when I’m writing my opening monologues knowing it’s now my job to make all of these people laugh… or at least nose-exhale a bit.”

Studio A, along with MCTV’s other shows, is uploaded weekly onto their YouTube channel. The club continues to welcome new members, whether they’re interested in performing, helping behind the scenes or simply supporting by following their work.