The Theatre Department Newsletter
Edition 7, Issue 5
February 2007 |
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Hamlet, Chapter Two
In less than two weeks, the St. Ambrose Theatre Department will be opening its second semester mainstage season with a production of Lee Blessing's hilarious play, Fortinbras. This play begins where Shakespeare's Hamlet ends. After entering the castle and finding the dead bodies of Hamlet and his family scattered across the floor, Fortinbras orders the bodies of the royal family buried while he devises the best possible media blitz to legitimize his ascension to the throne of Denmark. Horatio, sworn by the dead Hamlet to convey the truth, is cast as the unwilling public relations person. Fortinbras must balance an array of ghosts, including a vampish Ophelia, with a disastrous invasion of Poland. This clever and hilarious story of a man who would be king is sure to delight audiences.
Michael Kennedy will be directing the cast of 15, who must overcome the difficulties of this February slot. The show was cast before Christmas break. Then, the students were given scripts to study while on vacation. After returning to St. Ambrose, the cast had four rehearsals to block the show before leaving for the week-long American College Theatre Festival in January. Now, having returned from the festival, the team has two weeks to pull this show together. Despite the conflicts, the show is coming together very nicely and is shaping up for a very successful opening on February 16. SAU Sophomore Jaci Entwisle, the show's stage manager, says, "Fortinbras is a big show to do during such a difficult time slot, but we've got an amazing cast and a great tech team that have been working so hard. This is sure to come out well."
The cast is as follows:
Hamlet - Andrew Harvey
Osric - Sean Tweedale
Horatio - Seth Kaltwasser
English Ambassador - James Bleecker
Fortinbras - Jacob Kendall
Captain - Jason Bradford
Marcellus - Drew Parks
Barnardo - Joe Feldman
First Maiden - Jovon Eberhart
Second Maiden - Catie Osborn
Polonius - Matt Mercer
Ophelia - Jessica Stratton
Claudius - Dan Hernandez
Gertrude - Marianna Caldwell
Laertes - Adam Burnham
Fortinbras will be performed Friday, February 16 and Saturday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m. and again on Sunday, February 18 at 3:00 p.m. in Allaert Auditorium. Tickets are free to SAU students with a valid ID. Adult tickets are $10 and can be purchased through the Galvin Box Office at (563) 333-6251.
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Upcoming Auditions!
After Fortinbras, only three shows remain in Galvin's 2006-2007 season, and two of these shows will be cast in early February.
The first opportunity for students looking to perform is a truly extraordinary one. The final mainstage show this semester will be the original play Crème de Coco. This production will be directed by guest director Phil McKinley, a graduate of Augustana College. Before deciding to share his talents at Ambrose, McKinley directed shows on Broadway, including the Hugh Jackman musical The Boy From Oz and The Most Happy Fella, starring Paul Sorvino.
This will be the debut of Crème de Coco, a play about the extraordinary life of French fashion designer Coco Chanel, whose work forever changed the face of fashion and whose love life turned more than a few heads.
Any students wanting to get in on this exciting opportunity should come to the auditions on Monday, February 5th from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. or Tuesday, February 6th from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre. Students auditioning are encouraged to bring monologues and are advised to contact Kristy Heithoff, the production's stage manager, with any questions.
Crème de Coco performs in Allaert Auditorium April 20-22.
Students looking to perform in a more intimate setting should be interested in the next Studio Theatre production. SAU Senior Katie Danalewich will be directing the play The Real Thing, which runs March 30 - April 1. The Real Thing is Tom Stoppard's comedy about the dysfunctional love life of a successful playwright.
Auditions for the play will take place February 8 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and February 9 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Studio Theatre. Monologues are recommended, but not required.
Don't miss these chances to get involved in St. Ambrose's exciting season!
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Ambrose Students Take ACTF By Storm!
Irene Ryan Semifinalist Seth Kaltwasser (left) and Finalist Andrew Harvey (right).
Each January, the St. Ambrose Theatre Department takes a trip to the week-long Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. The week is filled with great opportunities for students including scholarship contests, auditions, and workshops. This year, the festival was held close to home – on the Iowa State University campus in Ames, Iowa.
One of the main events at this annual festival is the Irene Ryan Acting Competition. Throughout the year, the festival sends out adjudicators to view and critique theatre productions at participating schools. After seeing the productions, the judges nominate two performers from each show to compete at the festival the following January. This year, Ambrose took seven nominees to compete. They were: Marianna Caldwell, from A Lie of the Mind; Andrew Harvey and Colleen Winters, from the Studio Theatre's production of Three Days of Rain; Joe Feldman and Scott Peake, from Much Ado About Nothing; and Seth Kaltwasser and Abby VanGerpen from The Threepenny Opera.
All in all, there were approximately 325 nominees from seven different states competing at this year's festival. After the preliminary round, on Monday afternoon, the students waited anxiously to hear which 35 performers would be advancing onto the semifinal round. The group was extremely excited to hear that two Ambrose students - SAU sophomore Seth Kaltwasser and SAU senior Andrew Harvey - made the top ten percent and would be performing in the semifinal round later that evening, along with their partners SAU junior Jessica Stratton and SAU senior Jacob Kendall.
After the semifinalists performed Monday night, the group stayed around to hear which 16 nominees would advance onto the finals. Andrew Harvey's name was the first to be announced; he and his partner, Jacob Kendall, had made finals and would perform all three of their prepared scenes at the finals ceremony the following evening. Making the top 16 in the region is indeed a huge achievement, and Harvey represented Ambrose extremely well in the finals. About the experience, Harvey says, "Strangely enough, I was more nervous about making it to the semifinals than I was to the finals. Time felt different when I was on stage in the final round – it all seemed to be over in a heartbeat. I didn't win, but I did give 'em hell and I hope I represented St. Ambrose at least adequately."
Also representing Ambrose in Ames was SAU junior Madeline Dudziak, who showcased her directing chops in the William Inge Theatre Festival. For this scholarship competition, Dudziak prepared a scene by Tina Howe entitled "The Art of Dining". This scene starred SAU juniors Joe Feldman, Sean Tweedale, and Colleen Winters.
Also, St. Ambrose took a team of skilled technicians to perform in this year's Tech Olympics. This team consisted of SAU freshman Mike Kline, SAU sophomores Jaci Entwisle and Jovon Eberhart, and SAU senior Kristy Heithoff. After impressing the judges with their ability to hang lights, set props, and dress actors, St. Ambrose's team - which was lovingly named "Don't Touch Me!" - advanced on to the finals, with only two other teams in the running. "Don't Touch Me!" did not come home with the first place trophy, but they certainly played a key role in making this year's trip an exciting experience for the students.
Two Ambrose students took advantage of a great opportunity for writers involved in theatre. The National Critics Institute held a competition for students interested in reviewing the productions that performed throughout the week. SAU sophomore Jovon Eberhart and SAU senior Emily Clifton were both accepted to participate in the reviewing competition. To gain admittance, both students had to submit an example of their writing with a letter of nomination from a faculty member. Upon being accepted, both writers were expected to see five of the productions that performed throughout the week and submit a review for each. The girls stayed busy, writing two reviews almost every day! After turning in the articles, the girls would meet up with the other student writers (there were about 10 others participating) to read and discuss each other's work. The writing was then judged by a professional critic and the event coordinator. At the week's end, the results were announced and Ambrose's own Jovon Eberhart was named the second place winner!
As you can see, St. Ambrose had a very successful week at this year's festival. SAU students showcased their many talents – from acting, to technical work, to directing, and writing. Surely these achievements chalk up to more than just a week of luck. Truly, these accomplishments are a testament to a year's worth of quality work by the St. Ambrose Theatre Department's faculty and student body. Congratulations to everyone who helped make ACTF 2007 (and the year leading up to it) a huge success!
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SAU's Annual Children's Show Charms Children
For five days in the beginning of December, Allaert Auditorium was transformed into a magical land of fauns, dwarves, nymphs, talking animals, and witches that could only be found by stumbling through a wardrobe. For those unfamiliar with these references, this fantastical place is called Narnia. Based on the book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, "Narnia" tells the enchanting story of four siblings on a quest to save Narnia from the evil White Witch and her curse - "always winter, never Christmas". Joined by a lively old beaver couple, the children are taken to Aslan, the Great Lion and true King of Narnia. Soon, with the children's work and bravery, the power of the White Witch is destroyed and the children are honored for restoring peace in the land.With wonderful direction by Michael Kennedy and the musical direction of Marti Dunn-Hall, this play proved to capture the hearts and imaginations of all viewers, young and old. Ms. Dianne Dye provided the fabulous attire for this world of magical creatures, which received special mention in the local paper, The River Cities Reader.
The show was scheduled to perform for five full audiences of local school children, but due to a winter storm on Friday, December 1, two shows were cancelled. "It was really upsetting to the cast," states SAU sophomore Emily Kurash, who played the White Witch. "We all love performing for a house of children, since they are so responsive! I am sure that we are just as - if not more - disappointed than they were that the shows were cancelled." Several cast members were able to attend the annual Alumni Children Christmas Party after the Saturday matinee. Here, children were able to do crafts, make cookies, and get their pictures taken with their favorite Narnian characters. "It was awesome meeting all the kids who saw the show. They were so excited to meet all of us! It's fun to interact with our audience and hear what they loved most!" says SAU freshman Abby VanGerpen, who played Lucy Pevensie.
Even though it was cut short, Narnia had a successful and enchanting run. Thanks to all who participated and helped to make it a magical experience!
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Senior Salute: Senior Salute: Andrew Harvey
Name: Andrew Harvey
Hometown: Galesburg, IL
Major:Theatre and History double major with an Irish Studies minor
Previous Productions at SAU: Three Days of Rain (Walker/Ned), A Lie of the Mind (Jake), Wonderful World (Director), Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Guildenstern), Blithe Spirit (Charles), The Shape of Things (Phillip), Death of a Salesman (Waiter), Baby with the Bathwater (Daisy), and Our Town (Sam Craig)
Latest Project: Hamlet in Fortinbras.
Why did you come to SAU? You know, I don't really remember why...but I'm glad I did.
Favorite SAU Experience? Babysitting Jeremy Pack
Dream Job? I've always wanted to try to churn butter
Favorite Actor/Actress? Hmm...Robin Williams, maybe?
Favorite Word/Phrase? Tweedale
Biggest Pet Peeve? You ever walk somewhere and say "Hi" to someone as you pass them and they don't even acknowledge your presence? They ought to be locked up for that.
Advice for Incoming Freshmen? Make an effort to look presentable in class. Don't be one of those muppets who wear sweats to their lectures all the time.
What will you miss most about SAU? Having a roof over my head.
What are your plans after graduation? That is an excellent question.
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Theatre in the QCA This Month
Show: Fortinbras
Producer: St. Ambrose University
Dates: February 16-18, 2007; Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10, free to SAU students with current IDs. Call (563) 333-6251, or visit Galvin's box office.
Location: Auditorium, Galvin Fine Arts Center, St. Ambrose University
Show: West Side Story
Producer: Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse
Dates: : Now thru March 24, 2007; Wednesday matinees at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:15 p.m., Sunday evenings at 5:15 p.m.
Tickets: Prices range from $24.96 - $41.60 for dinner and show. Call (309) 788-7733 x2, or visit Circa's box office.
Location: 1828 3rd Ave, Rock Island, IL; located in the District of RI
Show: ComedySportz Quad Cities
Producer: Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse
Dates: Every Friday and Saturday night at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $8 prepaid, $10 at the door; call (309) 786-7733, ext #2 for reserve
Location: 1818 3rd Ave, Rock Island, IL. Downtown in the District, next to Circa '21
Show: Dead Man Walking
Producer: Augustana College
Dates: February 2-3, 9-10 at 7:30 p.m., February 4 and 11 at 1:30 p.m.
Tickets: $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens, students, children, faculty/staff. Call (309) 794-7306 for information and reservations.
Location: Potter Theatre, Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts, Augustana College
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SAU Theatre Newsletter Next Issue
The March issue of the SAU Theatre Newsletter will include an update on Dr. Cory Johnson's work in Ireland, a recap of the mainstage show Fortinbras, and cast lists for The Real Thing and Crème de Coco.
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.
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Department Chair: Kristofer Eitrheim - 563/333-6255
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Corinne Johnson - 563/333-6427
Newsletter Editor: Seth Kaltwasser, SAU sophomore
Contributing Journalists: Emily Clifton, SAU senior / Emily Kurash, SAU senior / Catie Osborn, SAU freshman
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