Fans of Terry Pratchett's Discworld series will probably recognize the depiction of this fantasy world in the shape of a disc, supported by four elephants on the back of a giant turtle in space. If you look closely, however, you can see avatars dancing in the clearing on top because this is a sim build for the Drama Libre club. Under the talented leadership of Peachy Sassoon and Xerxes Sismondi, a dedicated group rebuilds its sim each week to match a new theme. The duo hosts twice-weekly themed parties, held Saturdays from 8pm to 1am and Thursdays from 5pm to 9pm SLT.

Attendees dress in costume to match the current theme and can enter the weekly costume contest. Peachy snaps a picture of each avatar and sends souvenir photos as mementos of the party. Some of the Discworld party-goers included the assistant to the librarian at the Unseen University, the librarian himself (an orangutan), the luggage of sapient pearwood, complete with tongue, teeth and legs, a couple of scythe-wielding Grim Reapers, a brilliant mathematician who happens to be a camel, two educated rodents pretending to be plague-ridden, a golem, and a number of witches. If you want to know, better read the series.

The club had its start in 2006 when Peachy and Xerxes got tired of attending events that offered the same themes like "best in red" or pole-dancing. Drama Libre means 'drama-free' and is the way of life for these folks. Aside from the fantastic, immersive weekly sim builds, the group wants people to be comfortable in the knowledge that theirs is not some cliquish place with pretentious people coming into conflict with others. The Drama Libre team has not had many problems over the years but Peachy briefly discussed what can be done to discourage griefers, from warnings to freezing to outright banning.

Long-time attendees, some of whom assist in the weekly rebuilds, mulled over their favorites, but they all admitted the extreme difficulty of selecting one because there have been so many fabulous sets. Dagmar Klaar enjoys pushing the limits of creative design and reminisced about the musical theatre that rezzed every fifteen minutes into a completely new set that included such favorites as South Pacific, Phantom of the Opera, and Fiddler on the Roof. Rinaldo Rebevec, who has a neighboring sim, loved the steampunk pirate airship circling the earth that was built for Around the World in 80 Days. Magdalena Kamenev dragged friends to the stunning set of the Louvre and actually asked to purchase it. After some contemplation, DJ Zak Volare finally voted for the surreal Cirque du Soleil set, which was designed not long after glow was enabled for SL. But his special memory was Looney Tunes week because during the party, Xerxes attempted an edit and accidentally deleted the dance floor and suddenly dozens of cartoon avis were plummeting through SL skies chattering, "What happened? I'm falling!"

Such fond memories have allowed the group to become a virtual family with the freedom to express themselves week after creative week. They are not involved in the club for "big Lindens", but strive to have fun and challenge themselves to make each experience as interesting and unique as the weekly deadline will allow.

Drama Libre

Drama Libre website