The Theatre Department Newsletter
Edition 8, Issue 3
November 2007 |
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Upcoming Studio Show!
The second Studio Theater show of the SAU 2007-2008 season is not to be missed! [sic], directed by SAU senior Sean Tweedale, opens Friday, November 9th in the Studio Theater and will run until Sunday, November 11th. .
[sic] is written by Melissa James Gibson and tells the story of three neighbors who live in adjacent apartments. Theo is a composer who is attempting to write a theme for an amusement park ride called “Thrill-o-Rama”, Babette is trying to write a book connecting temper tantrums and historical events, and Frank is an aspiring auctioneer. Throughout the play, we explore their ambitions and hopes for the future, as well as their relationships with each other.
Seating is limited, so reserve your tickets now! This is a production you won’t want to miss! Tickets are $6 and are available in the Galvin Box Office (563-333-6251). Performances are Friday, November 9th, Saturday, November 10th, and Sunday, Novmeber 11.
PLEASE NOTE: THE SUNDAY PERFORMANCE FOR THIS SHOW WILL NOT BE A MATINEE. ALL THREE PERFORMANCES START AT 7:30 P.M.!
The cast is as follows:
Theo - Jacob Kendall
Babette - Colleen Winters
Frank - Seth Kaltwasser
Airshaft Man - Shawn Simmons
Airshaft Woman - Sarah Ulloa
Mrs. Jorgenson - Rachel Mayer
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Students Prepare to Direct One-Acts
Right before our eyes, the fall 2008 semester is quickly rushing past us. With fall break over and done, we are now in the last half of the semester, and finals are drawing closer by the day.
One theatre course in particular, has a final project that has everyone in the department talking. Dr. Corinne Johnson’s Directing Class is being offered this semester and seven brave Ambrose students are facing the task of choosing, casting, and directing a one-act play to present in the Studio Theatre in December as the class’s final project.
This won’t be the students’ first shot at directing. The midterm evaluation required them to direct ten-minute scenes that were presented in class in October. However, the one-acts will require even more from the directors. In addition to being longer pieces, the one-acts are performed in front an audience and require the directors to work lighting, sound, costumes, and even a little set into their productions.
Unlike the ten-minute scenes, where directors simply asked actors to perform, the one-acts involved a complete audition process, where actors spent a night in Galvin, roaming from room to room to audition for the different directors. When the evening was finished and all students had their chance to audition, the seven directors met up with Dr. Johnson and cast their shows.
Now that the scripts are chosen and cast lists have been announced, the directors will be faced with the task of beginning the rehearsal process. This is certainly a busy time for the students, but our directors have learned much over the course of the semester’s first half, and are now ready to tackle their final project.
The following three one-acts will be performed in the Studio Theatre on Monday, December 10 at 7:00 p.m.:
"Breast Men" directed by Jessica Stratton
by Bill Bozzone and Joe DiPietro
Lloyd – Andrew Harvey
Stuart – Jacob Kendall
Gene – Jeremy Pack
"A Dead Man’s Apartment" directed by Colleen Winters
by Edward Allan Baker
Lonnie – Bryan Woods
Al – Dan Hernandez
Nikkie – Emily Kurash
Valerie – Sam Akers
"WASP" directed by Rachel Mayer
by Steve Martin
Dad – Bryan Woods
Mom – Katie McCormack
Son – Suton Edens
Sis – Ashley Damato
Premier/Roger – Jeremy Pack
Female Voice – Jaci Entwisle
These four one-acts will be performed in the Studio Theatre Wednesday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m.:
"Am I Blue" directed by Stephanie DeLacy
by Beth Henley
John Polk – Adam Burnham
Ashbe – Ashley Damato
Hilda – Jaci Entwisle
"Women of Manhattan" directed by Cynthia Smysor
by John Patrick Shanley
Billie – Amanda Bourn
Rhonda – Jovon Eberhart
Judy – Jaci Entwisle
"Something I’ll Tell You Tuesday" directed by Seth Kaltwasser
by John Guare
Agnes – Emily Kurash
Andrew – Bryan Woods
Hildegarde – Katie McCormack
George – Suton Edens
Mrs. Hasselbach – Amanda Bourn
"Foreplay or: The Art of the Fugue" directed by Matt Mercer
by David Ives
Amy – Abby VanGerpen
Chuck I – Andrew Harvey
Phyllis – Jovon Eberhart
Chuck II – Adam Burnham
Alma – Tori Kotche
Chuck III – Jacob Kendall
Once the end of semester arrives and you are knee-deep in textbooks and final papers, be sure and give yourself a couple nights off to come and enjoy what is sure to be a fantastic evening at the theatre. You’ll get a sampling of many diverse scripts and get to see the directors show off what they’ve learned.
Tickets are free, but there are only 50 seats in the Studio Theatre. So, get there and secure your seat when the house opens at 6:30 p.m.!
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Students Prepare for Annual KC/ACTF!
January 20-25, St. Ambrose theatre students will have to opportunity to travel to Omaha, Nebraska to participate in the Kennedy Center/American College Theater Festival. At the festival, students have the opportunity to participate in both acting and technical workshops, compete in the technical theater Olympics, perform in ten minute plays, attend fully-produced productions, and audition for summer stock theaters.
Six nominees have been selected from St. Ambrose to compete for the coveted Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. These nominees are senior Sean Tweedale and junior Seth Kaltwasser (nominated for Fortinbras), senior Jessica Stratton and SAU alum Andrew Harvey (nominated for Crème de Coco), and junior Ryan Westwood and junior Jovon Eberhart (nominated for All My Sons). We wish them the best of luck at the festival!
The fee for students to attend the festival is $65. This fee is waived for anyone actively participating in KC/ACTF events and Call Board members. Space is limited, so sign up today! For more information, call Kris Eitrheim at 563-333-6255.
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Charlotte’s Web Cast is Announced!
Auditions are over and a cast list has been announced for this year’s children’s show, Charlotte’s Web directed by SAU senior Madeline Dudziak. Charlotte’s Web will perform for the local schools November 28-30 and will perform for the public December 1st and 2nd at 3 pm.
Charlotte’s Web is a musical version of the classic book by E.B. White about a pig named Wilbur who befriends Charlotte, a spider. To save Wilbur from the fate which befalls pigs, Charlotte spins an impressive web, bearing the message, “Some Pig,” convincing others that Wilbur is no ordinary animal.
Tickets may be purchased from the Galvin Fine Arts Center Box Office. Tickets are $8.00 for adults, $7.00 for SAU faculty/staff/alumni, senior citizens, non-SAU students/children, and $6.00 for groups. SAU students are free with a valid student ID. To reserve tickets, contact the Box Office at (563) 333-6251.
The cast is as follows:
Fern - Jessica Denney
Martha - Jovon Eberhart
John - Jake Kendall
Avery - Adam Burnham
Homer - Michael Daly
Lurvy - Hans Schnekloth
Edith - Jaci Entwisle
Wilbur - Ryan Westwood
Templeton - Dan Hernandez
Charlotte - Emily Christiansen
Goose - Allissa Klatt
Gander - Ross Epping
Sheep - Emily Kurash
Lamb - Abby VanGerpen
Announcer - Sean Tweedale
Owl - Colleen Winters
Bat - Jessica Stratton
Uncle - Catie Osborn
Congratulations to the cast and thank you to all who auditioned!!
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Arthur Miller Classic Produced on Mainstage
The first main stage production of the 2007 season, Arthur Miller’s All My Sons was met with great success. The Kennedy Center respondent for the American College Theatre Festival attended the Saturday night performance, and nominated Jovan Eberhart and newest Michael Kennedy Scholar, Ryan Westwood to compete in the Irene Ryan competition at this year’s theatre festival.
This production was unique in many ways. First, the induction of Sr. Joan as St. Ambrose’s newest president presented a challenge for the set, as it had to be built, taken apart, moved upstage and packed away to facilitate the induction festivities and then rebuilt the same afternoon! Also, all three recipients of the Michael Kennedy Theatre Scholarship, (Seth Kaltwasser, Catie Osborn and Ryan Westwood) appeared onstage together in a show directed by Mr. Kennedy himself.
The first Mainstage show of the 2007 season was a great hit, and all members of the cast and crew deserve applause for their hard work in putting on such a fantastic show.
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Recruiting Efforts
This semester, the SAU Theatre Department is taking a more active role in recruiting to local high schools, in hopes of spreading the word and getting more high school students interested in all that Ambrose has to offer.
Throughout the first half of this semester, students have been working to pull together a list of all this year’s area high school productions. Now that the list has been finished, Ambrose theatre professors and students have volunteered to act as representatives and go out to see the shows. These “representatives” will bring information on Ambrose’s Theatre Department and scholarships to the shows and also work to meet with the high school students to answer any questions they have and record any phone numbers and email addresses of interested students.
Ambrose is also finding other ways to be proactive in recruiting to high schools. During All My Sons, some of the actors stayed after a performance to attend a talkback session with a group of Assumption High School students who came to see the Sunday matinee. Students talked about Arthur Miller and the show, as well as the Ambrose Theatre Department and the many opportunities students have to participate in theatre after they graduate from high school. Also, Ambrose will be sending representatives to the Iowa and Illinois Thespian Festivals later this semester. These festivals are great opportunities to reach a large amount of dedicated theatre students who are hoping to continue work in the theatre after high school.
Hopefully, we will start to see an increase in Ambrose applications and scholarship auditions later this year. Ambrose Theatre and the Quad Cities have a lot to offer, and we are hoping that the recruitment work we are doing is helping high schools students feel excited about our department and the work that we do here.
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SAU Students Focus on Fosse
This fall, SAU Students have had the unique opportunity of taking a topics class centered on the work of the late choreographer Bob Fosse, famous for musicals such as Damn Yankees, Sweet Charity, The Pajama Game and Chicago. The class meets twice weekly and centers on creating movement and watching and researching Fosse’s musicals and movies, as well as focusing on his specific and unique style of choreography. This topics class was created in preparation for the upcoming spring musical Pippin, which was originally choreographed and directed by Fosse. Faculty felt students needed an extra edge and understanding of how Fosse’s style was set apart from typical musical theatre choreography. By taking the class students will have a leg up on style at auditions for Pippin in the spring, although it does not guarantee that they will be cast in the show.
“I feel that it is a beneficial class in many aspects,” said instructor and SAU Adjunct Shellee Frazee. “It’s broadening the knowledge base of dance for Ambrose students, as well as what’s expected of them when we do Pippin.”
“The Fosse class has been great!” added SAU Senior Ashlee Gillen. “I’ve learned so much about Fosse’s life and work, and it’s amazing how much detail and thought went into everything he did, whether it was directing, lighting, or dancing.”
Students have really seemed to latch on to Fosse’s ideas and understand what was going on behind his choreography. Intense papers reviewing all aspects of several of Fosse’s most famous dances have given students a rare chance to focus an entire semester on the work of one individual. “The Fosse class has taught me a variety of new techniques, through watching Fosse musicals and through understanding him more--through his dances, dancers, and lovers,” stated SAU Sophomore Dan Hernandez, a self-proclaimed Fosse dancer.
This chance has given students a great insight to what they will be doing in the spring with Pippin, as well as allowed them to more fully understand one of the most influential director/choreographers of the 20th century.
Pippin auditions will be held February 19, from 7:30-9:00 p.m., and February 20 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. The show will be performed April 18-20. Watch the newsletter for details as the dates approach!
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Three Michael Kennedy Scholars in One Show
Starting in 2005, a new Michael Kennedy Theatre Scholarship recipient has been chosen each fall. The student must be new to St. Ambrose when they are chosen, and they must be a theatre major. These students are selected based on an essay application and picked for their commitment to all Michael Kennedy has helped make a reality at the SAU Theatre Department. To date, the three recipients are Seth Kaltwasser , SAU Junior (2005 Recipient), Catie Osborn, SAU Sophomore (2006 Recipient), and Ryan Westwood, SAU Junior (2007 Recipient).
The fall SAU Mainstage production of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons (directed by Michael Kennedy himself) brought all three scholars into one show. “Working with Kennedy is always great, but it was especially cool to work with him on a Miller show. Miller is one of his favorite playwrights and it really shows,” stated Kaltwasser, who played George Deever. “Kennedy just "gets" him and it was amazing to see Kennedy communicate some of these truths from a play that was written long before any of us were born. Any actor working under Kennedy is bound to grow as a performer...but rehearsals were also a lot of fun. Anyone who's worked with him [Kennedy] knows it; Michael Kennedy is one of a kind.” His thoughts on what it was like to work with the two other Kennedy scholars? “I have only amazing things to say about Catie and Ryan. They are great to work with. They're easy-going, dependable, and they both have a truckload of talent. The whole cast was amazing and I felt a really strong bond with all of them.”
Ryan Westwood, who played Chris Keller agreed. “Mike didn’t treat us scholars any differently. He worked us just as hard as the rest of the cast. He really knew the play, and his passion for what he was doing is so inspiring to the actors. It was awesome working with the man whose name is on my scholarship. I didn’t get to be on stage with Catie much, but it was great working with Seth. We fed off each other’s energy in an exciting way.”
Catie Osborn played Lydia Lubey in All My Sons, added, “He [Mike] knows exactly how to push us just enough to challenge us, while still allowing us to creatively explore our characters. And Kennedy understands his material. Sometimes I think I learn more from Mike in a three hour rehearsal than I would spending an entire semester studying Miller. It's like a free immersion class whenever he opens up to us about his experiences and opinions. I feel so incredibly privileged to even KNOW Mike, but to be in a show under him, receiving his scholarship - that is a honor.” Catie also had plenty of good things to say about the other two recipients. “Having all three Kennedy Scholars in one play was so much fun. Seth was the first theatre student I met at Ambrose, and Ryan and I got along amazingly as soon as we met. And it’s not just these guys--the entire St. Ambrose theatre department has an amazing bond that I love. We're a family, plain and simple.”
Congratulations to the scholars and Mr. Kennedy on a wonderful show! If you’re interested in applying for the Michael Kennedy Theatre Scholarship, please go to the SAU Theatre Home Page and look under scholarships!
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Freshmen Spotlight: Josh Tipsword
Name: Josh Tipsword
Hometown: Eldridge, IA
Majors/Minors: CNA (Computer Network Administration)
Previous Productions: All My Sons
Most Recent Project: Brad Frazee has given me too many tech assignments to count!
Why did you come to SAU? It was close to home, had a good program, Galvin, and Brad Frazee!
Favorite SAU Experience? Meeting Jaci Entwistle
Dream Job? Computer networking
Favorite Word/Phrase? That’s what she said!
Biggest Pet Peeve? Laziness
What do you hope to accomplish at SAU? No Idea - Graduate?
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Freshman Spotlight: Stacy Alguire
Name: Stacy Alguire
Hometown: Port Byron, IL
Majors/Minors: Mathematics Education
Previous Productions: Night of the Living Beauty Pagent, Next, Grease, 13 Daughters, Snow White and Friends, Humpty Dumpty is Missing, Footloose, Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?, Fables, The Emperor's New Clothes, Radio Dazes, WhoDunit, Guys and Dolls (all stage crew).
Most Recent Project: Earning my Girl Scout Gold Award.
Why did you come to SAU? I liked the campus and the surrounding areas and the curriculum.
Favorite SAU Experience? The Homecoming game!
Dream Job? Something where I can help people.
Favorite Actor/Actress? The Hairspray actors and actresses (Hard to choose who was the best. They were all great).
Favorite Word/Phrase? Don't stop believing. Reach for you dreams.
Biggest Pet Peeve? I really don't have one that I can think of.
What do you hope to accomplish at SAU? Graduating and getting a good job
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Theatre in the QCA This Month
Show: [sic]
Producer: St. Ambrose University
Dates: November 9, 10, and 11 at 7:30
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: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
Producer: Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse
Dates: November 9, 2007 through January 5, 2008; Wednesday matinees at 1 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: Uh-Oh, Here Comes Christmas!
Producer: Playcrafters Barn Theater
Dates: November 9-11 and 16-18; Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.
Tickets: $10; call (309) 762-0330 for information and reservations.
Location: 4950 35th Ave, Moline, IL
Show: After Ashley Play Reading
Producer: New Ground Theatre
Dates: November 8
Tickets: $3; call (563) 326-7529 to reserve
Location: 2822 Easter Ave, Davenport, IA 52803
Show: Miracle on 34th Street
Producer: Quad City Music Guild
Dates: November 29-30 and December 1-2; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15 for adults, $9 for children; Call (309) 762-6610 to reserve tickets.
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SAU Theatre Newsletter Next Issue
Our December issue will feature updates on Charlotte’s Web and [sic] and the chosen pieces and partners taken to this year’s KC/ACTF!
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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