SEARCH |A-Z |HOMETheatre Department 
The Theatre Department Newsletter
|
|
|
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Click on a title to jump to a story.
|
|
|
Five Women Wearing the Same Dress Classes have been in session for less than a week, but several SAU theatre students have been working hard over the summer and gave up their last week of vacation to begin rehearsals for the first Studio Theatre production of the year, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, written by Alan Ball and directed by SAU Junior Madeline Dudziak. The show takes place in Knoxville, TN and follows five bridesmaids' efforts to avoid the reception AND the bride. Although none of them are very close at the beginning of the afternoon, these women find themselves bonding over food, men, champagne, stories of the past, and really awful bridesmaids' dresses. "It's a lot of fun to work on," states stage manager Emily Kurash, SAU sophomore. "The script is funny and the actors are great. The audience will be able to identify with at least one of the women. It is a fabulous way to start off the year!" The studio theatre is a very intimate space and provides a different connection with the actors than does the main stage. Freshman Abby VanGerpen, who plays Frances, says of the experience: "I am very excited for my first college show, as well as my first Studio show! I've never been this close to the audience before!" Five Women performs Friday and Saturday, September 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m., as well as Sunday, Sept. 10 at 3:00 p.m. The studio only has limited seating, so be sure to reserve your tickets today by calling or stopping by the Galvin Box Office at 563/333-6251. Tickets are $6 each. Don't miss this great theatre event! Please be forewarned- Characters smoke onstage and adult language and subject matter is included in the script. Audience discretion advised. |
|
|
Eastern Standard Auditions
The show is about four New Yorkers whose lives collide in an interesting accident right when their careers and choices have been called into question. The characters end up spending the summer together at the beach, along with a bag lady and waitress whom they met at a posh New York restaurant. If you have further curiosity about the show, scripts are available for perusal in the Galvin Box Office. Monologues are encouraged, but not required at the audition. If people have commitments to previous shows, including the musical, we'd still be glad to see you and consider you for a role. Everyone is welcome. If there are any additional questions, call Emily Clifton at 309/337-1003. |
|
|
Kennedy Scholarship Benefit Hosted At Circa '21 When St. Ambrose theatre professor Michael Kennedy signed on to star in Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse's late-summer production of On Golden Pond, the show's producer and director, Denny Hitchcock, saw a "golden" opportunity to pay tribute to Kennedy's talent while raising money for the growing scholarship that bears Kennedy's name. The idea caught on quickly - before long, it was decided that a special performance of the show would be held on August 20, 2006. On this night, ticket prices would be set at $45 per person, with a portion of each ticket going directly to the scholarship's fund. The evening began with a silent auction and cocktail bar at 3:00 p.m. At 4:00, the eager public took their seats and a buffet dinner was served. When 5:00 rolled around, the program started, featuring speeches from Ambrose theatre professor Dr. Corinne Johnson, Denny Hitchcock, Ambrose Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Steven Ahrens, and Seth Kaltwasser, the very first recipient of the Kennedy Scholarship. Also present were Catie Osborn (the newest Kennedy scholar), many important members of the St. Ambrose staff, and Kim Kurtenbach - an SAU Theatre Department alumnus, who had been cast as Mike's daughter in On Golden Pond. Finally, at 5:30 p.m. the lights dimmed, the show started, and Mike Kennedy took the stage. After all was said and done, everyone could agree that the night was a huge success. Between the silent auction and funds raised through ticket sales, over $5,000 was earned for the Kennedy Scholarship. "I was really pleased with the number of alums, colleagues, and Kennedy family members that showed up. More than anything else, I was thrilled we all had an oppurtunity to see Mike in such a stellar performance," said Dr. Johnson. "Also, it was really great to have Seth Kaltwasser and Catie Osborn, the two recipients of the scholarship, as well as their families join in this celebration of the arts." Thank you to everyone who helped make this night a success! The Kennedy Scholarship is aimed at first year theatre majors. Visit the theatre Web site for more information. |
|
|
SAU Students Gain Experience With Summer Work
Marianna Caldwell started her summer work with a paid internship at the 2006 Riverside Theatre Shakespeare Festival in Iowa City, playing Ceres and understudying the role of Miranda in Shakespeare's The Tempest. "I was offered a contract after I auditioned for them in February," says SAU Senior Caldwell. "We worked on an Equity schedule - 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with a two hour dinner break - and the show ran for approximately three weeks." In August, Marianna returned to the Galvin Fine Arts Center to perform in The Secret Garden, a production benefiting the Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities. Currently, Caldwell is rehearsing in Minneapolis for "It's About Time" Theatre's production of As You Like It. This show is set to open September 22 of this year and will run through October 22. Caldwell will return to SAU in the spring to complete her B.A. Tyson Danner spent the second half of his summer holding the job of Music Director for The Secret Garden. This production was held in the Galvin Fine Arts Center here at St. Ambrose and involved the same production team and staff as last summer’s production of Ragtime. The show began rehearsals in the last week of June, opened in the second weekend of August, and ran a total of four performances (a Saturday matinee was added this year). The Secret Garden was an independent production, funded by grants secured through the Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities, and that organization received all the proceeds. “Since our cast was about a third the size of the Ragtime cast, The Secret Garden was a very different experience, says Danner. “It allowed for a lot of one-on-one work between the actors and the directing staff, which provided a great learning experience for everyone.” Tyson is beginning his senior year here at Ambrose and is majoring in music. Sarah Ulloa was involved in two shows this summer. First, Ulloa played Nehebka in the Quad City Music Guild's June production of the hit Broadway musical Aida. Later, in August, Sarah was chosen to play Martha in The Secret Garden. About her involvement in this show, Sarah says, "This production taught me more about myself than I could ever imagine. The part was much different than anything I have played before. I had a Yorkshire accent and played Mary's perky maid. Getting a cast together that actually wanted to learn and give 110% encouraged me to give everything I had to this production. I think what I learned was to push myself past my comfort zone." Sarah is a sophomore majoring in Mass Communications with a minor in theatre. |
|
|
New Kennedy Scholar Arrives
What's your major? "I am double majoring in theatre and history…I hope to work for The History Channel one day, if I'm not doing regional theatre…Maybe." What brought you to St. Ambrose? "What didn't? My mom went here, my grandfather taught here for around 40 years, my aunt teaches here now, and when I visited it really did feel like home." How did you hear about the scholarship? "I heard about the scholarship when I was perusing the SAU website online, and I thought I would take a chance and apply for it…Good thing I did!" What does winning the scholarship mean to you? "I think it mostly has been a tool for me to both become more confident with my talents and meet all the theatre people." I know you haven't spent a lot of time with him yet, but what do you think of Michael Kennedy? "Mr. Kennedy seems like an amazing man. I met him briefly at the Circa '21 night, where he regaled me with stories about my grandfather. He was very friendly and seems like a very kind man. He also was absolutely amazing in On Golden Pond. I figure if I can ever get to be about half as good as he was that night, I'll be sitting pretty for the rest of my life." We wish Catie the best of luck as she begins her freshman year and we look forward to witnessing all she accomplishes. |
|
|
Students and Faculty Mingle at Annual Theatre Picnic
At the picnic the ever-important "Date Sheet" was distributed. This is NOT a way to find someone to take to the movies on a Friday night. Rather, this is the list of plays, auditions, conference, etc. that most theatre students will fashion their lives around for the next nine months. |
|
|
Auditions Held for The Threepenny Opera
Tickets at $15 for adults, $14 for faculty/staff/alumni/seniors, and $13 for students. St. Ambrose students get in free. Call 563/333-6251 for reservations.
Cast
|
|
|
Senior Salute
|
|
|
Freshman Spotlight
|
|
|
SAU Theatre Newsletter Next Issue
Please use our convenient signup page to manage your subscription to SAU e-newsletters. Visit the St. Ambrose University Web site for more information about courses offered, degrees, events, and staff. And also check out the SAU Theatre Website for more information about the Theatre Department, or contact theatre chair Kristofer Eitrheim by email or by phone at 563/333-6255. |
|
|
Department Chair: Kristofer Eitrheim -563/333-6255
|
The first studio show cast of the season strikes a pose. (Top row, L-R: Julie Arensdorf, Colleen Winters. Bottom row, L-R: Jessica Stratton, Abby VanGerpen, Amy Staab, Sutton Edens)
Michael Kennedy and the first two recipients of the scholarship. During the school year, the plaque can be found in the Galvin Fine Arts Center's lobby. (L-R: Sophomore Seth Kaltwasser, Michael Kennedy, Freshman Catie Osborn)Copyright 2006St. Ambrose University 518 W. Locust Street Davenport IA 52803 563/333-6000Contact SAU