The Theatre Department Newsletter
Edition 7, Issue 5
March 2007 |
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Gettin' Real with Stoppard
On March 30 through April 1, St. Ambrose will give audiences a second chance to see a Tom Stoppard play on an Ambrose stage. In 2004, student director Dan Sheridan hit the mainstage with Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. This time, student director Katie Danalewich will be directing in the Studio Theatre with The Real Thing.
The Real Thing centers on the character of Henry - a playwright thought to be Stoppard's most autobiographical character. In this play, which was performed in London before hitting the Broadway stage, Henry is married to an actress named Charlotte, but he soon falls in love with another actress named Annie. Stoppard's usual wit and cleverness can be seen in The Real Thing, but here Stoppard takes on the big task of delving into the problems of love and passion.
When choosing this script, Danalewich said, "I was looking for a completely new script that I wasn't familiar with. I was searching while working on 'Yalta Game,' and I thought that it contained a similar theme of upper-class adultery that translated to today."
One interesting aspect of this show is the abundant repetition of names that appears on the cast and crew rosters. The director and sound designer Danalewich also comments: "It's a dry year for set designers. I'm multitasking myself."
For example, Jaci Entwisle will be playing the role of Charlotte, while designing the show's lights and set. Jovon Eberhart, who is stage managing and designing the set, comments positively on this doubling saying, "Being a stage manager and set designer has given me a better perception of the show by seeing movements on the set instead of just drawing something on paper."
The cast and crew are as follows:
Henry - Sean Tweedale
Annie - Emily Kurash
Charlotte - Jaci Entwisle
Max - Bryan Woods
Debbie - Jessica Stratton
Brodie - Seth Kaltwasser
Billy - Drew Parks
Director - Katie Danalewich
Sound Designer - Katie Danalewich
Stage Manager - Jovon Eberhart
Assistant Stage Manager - Edward "Buster" Owens
Set Design - Jovon Eberhart, Jaci Entwisle, and Kris Eitrheim
Light Design - Jaci Entwisle
Costume Designer - Tyson Danner
Props Mistress - Sarah Ulloa
Publicity - Madeline Dudziak
The Real Thing will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 30th and Saturday, March 31st. The final matinee will be on Sunday, April 1st at 3:00 p.m. Seating is general admission and all tickets cost $6. For more information or reservations call the Galvin Box Office at 563-333-6251.
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Crème de Coco
The final SAU mainstage production of the 2006-2007 is quickly approaching. Although rehearsals have not yet begun, Crème de Coco is already showing signs of becoming a wonderful educational and theatrical experience for everyone involved. Directed by Philip Wm. McKinley (known for his work worldwide), along with student director SAU Junior Madeline Dudziak, Coco has pulled in a huge talent pool of all ages - with a cast of students and non-students alike. SAU Alumnus Kim Kurtenbach Furness, who will return to the SAU stage playing Coco Chanel, says of the experience, "I am thrilled with the cast of the show! I am looking forward to working with everyone on this project and I am thrilled with the chance to observe Phil work. I am grateful to St. Ambrose and Phil McKinley for letting me be a part of this process!"
Jamie Em Johnson, another graduate of SAU's theatre department, will grace Allaert Auditorium with her presence in the role of the Abbess. This diverse cast of traditional and non-traditional SAU students, one high school student, and some seasoned actors is sure to make this season's mainstage finale a rousing success. The process, which certainly looks to be a great opportunity for all involved, will provide the SAU Theatre Department with a new outlook and fresh faces in the theatre.
Crème de Coco will run from Friday April 20 through Sunday April 22. Keep watching the newsletter for more information about Crème de Coco!
The cast for Coco:
Coco - Kim Furness
Jeanne - Jessica Stratton
Abbess - Jamie Em Johnson
Baroness - Marianna Caldwell
Suzanne - Jessica Denney
Misia - Colleen Winters
Francois - Joseph Maddox
Robert - Joe Feldman
Spatz - Jack Kloppenborg
Prefect - Andrew Harvey
Etienne - Bill Rassel
Boy Capel - Jeff DeLeon
Guard - Seth Kaltwasser
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A Triumph and a "Blessing": Fortinbras at Ambrose
Last month, the SAU Theatre Department presented its third mainstage production of the year, Lee Blessing's Fortinbras. The production was directed by SAU Theatre Professor Michael Kennedy and ran February 16-18.
Fortinbras is Blessing's hilarious speculation at what might have happened to the characters in Shakespeare's Hamlet after the play's final scene. Fortinbras begins where Hamlet ended, with the startled Prince Fortinbras (played by SAU Senior Jacob Kendall) walking into Elsinore and finding the dead bodies of Hamlet, Hamlet's family...and just about everyone else in the room. After quickly being elected King of Denmark, Fortinbras works with Osric and the reluctant Horatio to cover up the true story about the royal fatalities and make up a new, more convenient, tale. Everything seems to be working in the new king's favor until suddenly the deceased's ghosts show up and start causing trouble.
The outcome was a brilliant and side-splitting comedy. Although the cast and crew faced the ominous challenge of pulling this show together in a difficult time-slot, the production was a success in every way. The show's three performances in Allaert Auditorium had considerable turnout and everyone involved in the show received very positive feedback from the audiences, including a glowing review by Mike Schulz in the River Cities' Reader newspaper.
An adjudicator from the American College Theatre Festival attended the Friday evening performance of the show and nominated two of the actors to compete in our district's Irene Ryan Acting Competition at Council Bluffs and Omaha, Nebraska in January 2008. SAU Junior Sean Tweedale and SAU Sophomore Seth Kaltwasser were nominated for their roles as Osric and Horatio, respectively.
In the end, Fortinbras was truly an example of the quality of theatre put on at St. Ambrose as well as a testament to the talents of director Michael Kennedy, stage managers Jaci Entwisle and Abby VanGerpen, the outstanding cast of fifteen Ambrose students, guest costume designer Ellen Dixon, and our exceptional tech crew. Who knew Shakespeare's tragic characters could be this much fun?
Sources: Schulz, Mike. "A Hit, a Very Palpable Hit: "Fortinbras," at St. Ambrose University." River Cities' Reader 21 Feb 2007.
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Letter to the Editor from Dr. Corinne Johnson - February 17, 2007
Dear Editor:
First, thanks so much for continuing the newsletter in such fine fashion even with me, your faculty advisor, out of the country. I enjoyed last month's letter and was thrilled with the fine showing SAU had at the American College Theatre Festival. A big congrats to you personally for breaking into the semi-finals in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship auditions. As you know, that is no small accomplishment!!
I thought I would update all my SAU compatriots in the theatre department as to the travels and travails of my faculty exchange in Ireland. As you know, I am on a half-semester exchange with our sister college in Ireland, Carlow College in County Carlow. I have been here since January 15th and will be back on campus to start teaching at SAU on March 12th. My responsibilities here have been teaching multiple courses in acting, directing and design. I am also a guest lecturer in the literature class. I had a blast doing a four-hour lecture on A Streetcar Named Desire. Nothing like having an Irish actress try to read Blanche with a Southern American accent!
Along with teaching, my primary project here is to stage a production. There have been challenges - to say the least. Carlow College hasn't done a full (open to the public) production in over 10 years. The stage, small and quite quaint, had only old lighting fixtures from the 1960's that were in terrible repair. Since we couldn't get the parts anymore to fix them - my crafty and helpful husband improvised (he's good at that) and got most of them working again. As of this letter only one crisis: one light blew and the entire phone system of the school went down with it. I quickly emailed Kris Eitrheim and said, "HELP!" Although Kris wrote a very nice and supportive email back I could clearly read his sentiments between the lines - "Aren't you sorry NOW that you dropped my Lighting Design class, Cory?!" I was and am sorry I dropped it.
I am also my own costume designer (with the appreciated help of Dianne Dye's care packages), props mistress, sound designer, stage manager, marketing director, front of house coordinator, set designer, box office manager and may actually have to act in one scene as an actress has been ill for two weeks. (I am memorizing lines as soon as I send this letter). To say that I have a renewed appreciation for the structure, students, staff and faculty we have at SAU is a huge understatement. The folks are great here, don't get me wrong, theatre is just more of a novelty and therefore it is without much of the discipline or support system. Thank goodness my husband Don has been here as I have kept him far busier than had been expected.
Our production is called A Wilde Night: the drama and wit of Oscar Wilde. The production is a 90-minute showing of selected scenes from The Importance of Being Earnest, Lady Windemere's Fan and A Woman of No Importance. Our productions are on March 1st & 2nd and then I will teach a few more classes before heading back to the Galvin Fine Arts Center!
Thank you for taking such good care of my office and newsletter. I will be back in your midst before you know it - whether you are ready for my return or not. ;)
Things to know if you ever come to Ireland - that I wish I would have known:
1.) "What's the crack?" does not have anything to do with butts or drugs
2.) "Are you all right?" means "Can I help you?"
3.) Tipping at restaurants is just not done. Tipping taxi drivers IS.
4.) Don't expect anyone to attend classes during "Rag Week" - I haven't yet figured out just what "Rag Week" is.
5.) Never ask anyone if "they can give you a ride." - just don't.
Best Wishes,
Cory
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Galvin Awards Approaching!!
The annual SAU Theatre "Galvins" Awards Night will be held Saturday, May 5th 2007. "The Galvins" is a night to celebrate all the hard work, talent, achievements, and memorable - and even-more memorable - moments of the past year in the theatre. Awards are given to a "Rookie of the Year" and "Outstanding Senior", as well as separate awards for each show over the course of this past season.
This year, the festivities will be held at the Abbey Hotel Formal Dining Room in Bettendorf, IA. If you watch the SAU Theatre Calendar closely, you will notice that it IS in fact, the same day as a performance of John & Jen in the Studio theatre. Not to worry, you will not miss either, as the show is a matinee performance and people will have time to head over to dinner afterwards. Cost is still to be determined, but will be between $20-$25 for a buffet-style dinner. People may choose to attend only the awards ceremony for a lesser cost. An open bar will be available.
Invitations will be sent out in the next few weeks, so watch your mail for new information about "The Galvins" or email the at Callboard.
SENIORS---Have you notified the Callboard on your graduation date????
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Senior Salute: Marianna Caldwell
Name: Marianna Caldwell
Hometown: Decorah, IA
Major:Theatre
Previous Productions at SAU: Baby with the Bathwater, Rumors, Wanda's Visit, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Jungle Book, Blithe Spirit, WASP, The Man of Infinite Sadness, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Urinetown, A Lie of the Mind, Three Days of Rain (costume designer), Much Ado About Nothing, and Fortinbras.
Latest Project: Beginning rehearsals for King Lear with the Minnesota Shakespeare Project in Minneapolis in March and playing the Baroness in Crème de Coco here at SAU.
Why did you come to SAU? The faculty
Favorite SAU Experience? It's a three-way tie: Rumors, Much Ado About Nothing, and working in the costume shop with Dianne Dye.
Dream Job? Being a core company member at a respected Rep. company as an actor and costume designer.
Favorite Actor/Actress? Emma Thompson
Favorite Word/Phrase? "You're dead"...circa Alison Costello during Blithe Spirit...and then various other SAU productions I've played dead people in.
Biggest Pet Peeve? Bad work ethic and bad gossip.
Advice for Incoming Freshmen? Get involved in more ways than one, get to know the upperclassmen, have more than one major, and have fun...it really will be over before you know it.
What will you miss most about SAU? Cory, Kris, Mike, and Dianne Dye.
What are your plans after graduation? A year and three months of King Lear in Minneapolis.
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Freshman Spotlight: Michael Kline
Name: Michael William Kline
Hometown: Big Rock, IL
Majors/Minors: Nursing major, theatre and biology minors
Previous Productions: The Threepenny Opera, Narnia, Fiddler on the Roof, Once Upon a Mattress, H2$, and Hello Dolly.
Most Recent Project: Sound Design for Fortinbras.
Why did you come to SAU? I came to SAU because I knew it was small and I wouldn't be anonymous. I probably would have given up theatre and music had I gone to a larger school, and I definitely wasn't ready to let go of my passions. I knew I would have to opportunity to get involved here.
Favorite SAU Experience? Being a part of this year's children's show. I loved performing for such a large audience. I was fascinated by the noise and their genuine reactions to everything. I felt good because the kids were booing me as one of the "bad guys".
Dream Job? I think being a flight nurse would be ideal. It would probably be pretty intense.
Favorite Actor/Actress? Jim Carrey. I know most people don't consider him to have a lot of depth, but I do appreciate some good physical comedy.
Favorite Word/Phrase? "Heavy!" (from Fortinbras).
Biggest Pet Peeve? I cannot stand people who are just FAKE. Be yourself, and if you aren't good enough for someone as you are, they aren't worth your time. Don't hide behind a wall of fake emotions and lies - be yourself! That's what makes you...well, you.
Advice for Incoming Freshmen? Get involved in more ways than one, get to know the upperclassmen, have more than one major, and have fun...it really will be over before you know it.
What do you hope to accomplish at SAU? Well, obviously I hope to graduate, but my goals here are pretty simple. I hope to experience as much as possible, while preparing for my future career and building lasting relationships. |
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Theatre in the QCA This Month
Show: The Real Thing
Producer: St. Ambrose University
Dates: March 30, 31, & April 1, 2007
Tickets: $6 general admission; call (563) 333-6251 or visit Galvin's box office.
Location: SAU Studio Theatre, located in the basement of the Galvin Fine Arts Center on the SAU campus.
Note: Space only holds 50 seats so get your tickets now!
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
Location: 1818 3rd Ave, Rock Island, IL. Downtown in the District, next to Circa '21
Show: Catfish Moon
Producer: Playcrafters Barn Theater
Dates: March 9-11, 16-18; Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10; call (309) 762-0330 for information and reservations.
Location: 4950 35th Ave, Moline, IL
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SAU Theatre Newsletter Next Issue
The April issue of the SAU Theatre Newsletter will include a recap on this month's Studio Theatre production of The Real Thing, an update on Crème de Coco, and the possible announcement of the Galvin Fine Arts Center's 2007-2008 mainstage season!
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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