Since 2011, audio theatre has had little presence in America. What started as the nation’s most popular form of entertainment became almost a forgotten art.

Today, most people rely heavily on picture and video to give them the experience they desire.

Although, it seems we don’t hear much of radio dramas anymore, there are many people who still create gripping tales of all kinds, including some of Wichita State’s very own.

This summer, WSU’s Stagestruck Audio Theatre, has been accepted into the National Audio Theatre Festival for its show “Academia Nutz.” The festival will be held in Kansas City June 9 through 12.

Five years ago, Bret Jones, WSU theatre program director, formed Stagestruck Audio Theatre at WSU because many students were interested in that type of work.

“It gives students the opportunity to explore different ways to use their talents,” he said.

Jones, who coordinates all the music, sound effects and mixing, leads Stagestruck. Students give voices to the characters of the shows.

“‘Academia Nutz’ follows the antics of two professors and the funny situations they get themselves into,” Jones said.

Stagestruck just released its seventh episode of “Academia Nutz.” Each episode lasts about 30 minutes. Jones and some students have been working on this particular show for a couple years.

Along with “Academia Nutz,” Stagestruck has many other shows of different genres. They have done horror, science fiction, detective series and many others. Another popular show is “Sidekicks,” which parodies the life of being a superhero sidekick. It has eight episodes and that took more than two years to create.

During the summer festival, “Academia Nutz” will be shared with a larger audience made up of people and students who also craft this type of art.

“The audience will be able to relate to it because it lampoons university life,” Jones said.

Students record all of the shows in a studio and Jones mixes them at a different time. After that, Jones posts them to the group’s podcast website.

Jones is hoping to have a live show for the group in the future.

When Jones was at the University of Oklahoma, he was able to perform live shows for audiences.

“The audience really gets a kick out of it and has fun with it,” Jones said. “Live performances are definitely on the list of things to do one day.”

Find the podcast at stagestruckaudiotheatre.podomatic.com.