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Upcoming Production: Stop Kiss in the Studio Stop Kiss is a bittersweet play that tells the story of a growing friendship between two women, Callie and Sara. The play is not told in chronological order and the scenes frequently jump in time and location. Throughout the play, the audience witnesses friendship evolving into romance, as well as the violent aftermath of Callie and Sara’s first kiss. Callie………Jessica Stratton |
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Finding a Corner of the Galvin Mainstage
Cast of Pippin: |
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Rain, Sleet, Snow or Shine: God’s Favorite wasn’t adjudicated, but Irene Ryan nominees were still chosen by director Michael Kennedy and Theatre Faculty member Dr. Corinne Johnson. The nominees are Senior Matt Mercer and Junior Seth Kaltwasser for the roles of Joe Benjamin and Sidney Lipton, respectively. This is Mercer’s first nomination for the scholarship competition, but Kaltwasser has been nominated twice before: first, in 2006 for the role of Mr. Peachum in The Threepenny Opera, and again in 2007 for the role of Horatio in Fortinbras. Congratulations and good luck to both of them! In spite of less than positive reactions from local reviewers, the cast and crew look back at the experience with positive thoughts. Sophomore Stage Manager Dan Hernandez says of the show, “God’s Favorite was my first time stage managing, and I found it to be a wonderful and enriching experience. The cast was so fun and easy-going. The show went off wonderfully and being a stage manager was a great learning experience for me.” |
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Homecoming for SAU All-Star Since his graduation, Behnke has been consistently working in professional theatre, first as a stage manager for the Cortland Repertory Theatre in upstate New York and currently as the lighting intern (master electrician and lighting designer) for the Hippodrome Theatre’s 2007-2008 season in Gainesville, Florida. Eric Behnke has been working with Kris Eitrheim for two years now, trying to work out a time when he could come back and design a show, but the time was never right until this February. Originally, he had been slated to design this winter’s children’s show, Charlotte’s Web, but when that fell through he realized that production week for God’s Favorite fell right in between two shows at the Hippodrome. Once all the details were worked out, Behnke had little time to pull his design together. He received the script and production notes from Eitrheim on a Saturday, emailed back his design on that Monday, and flew into the Quad Cities on the following Thursday. The design turned out to be a great success, which Behnke credits to his great familiarity with Allaert’s mainstage space. When he wasn’t working upstairs, Behnke played the role of guest speaker for many of the department’s theatre courses, including Stage Management, Lighting Design, and Junior Seminar, and he had much helpful insight to students looking to pursue a career in theatre. One of the many subjects he touched on was how to land a job and break into the sometimes exclusive theatre world. “Knowing people can really make the difference between getting a job and not getting a job.” Behnke’s current employment with the Hippodrome Theatre actually came about because Ted Stephens, another SAU alum and friend of Eric, had done work at the Hippodrome and recommended Behnke when the theatre started looking for a lighting intern. Behnke also warned against burning bridges. “You never know when you’re going to meet someone again or when something you say might come back to haunt you…Always leave with a good impression. If you have a good attitude, people will want to work with you again. Negativity is the biggest turn-off in the world.” In the end, Behnke noted that a professional theatre worker must be adaptable and have an inherent love of learning. “In this industry, you never stop learning. There is constantly new stuff coming out there.” Thus, Eric Behnke has pulled off one more successful production with the SAU Theatre Department. The Ambrose community benefited much from his visit and thanks him for the work he did with God’s Favorite. We all hope that the Ambrose stage has not seen the end of Mr. Behnke. |
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SAU Students Share Their Talent
Abby was cast in Lee Blessing's Eleemosynary at The Green Room Theatre in Rock Island, which ran from February 22-24. This, however, was not Abby’s first performance with The Green Room, previously she had acted in The Glass Menagerie, but she was still as excited as ever to be working with new people. “Working on Eleemosynary was an amazing experience. Susan McPeters and Angela Elliot were both great to work with and the show wouldn't have been what it was without them. The script was so well written and Derek Bertelsen, did a fantastic job directing it, especially with the short amount of rehearsal time we had. With all these elements put together, it's no wonder the show went so amazingly!” Eleemosynary will not be Abby’s last performance at The Green Room, as she is cast in the upcoming production of The Melville Boys, directed by SAU Faculty member Donna Hare. SAU Senior Colleen Winters will also appear in this production. Jaci Entwisle is receiving a very different experience at Prenzie Players, with their upcoming production of William Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, in which she will be playing Baptista. Of her experience, she stated: “Prenzie has a lot more experience working with Shakespeare than we do. It’s interesting to work on a show where the primary concern isn’t the classroom experience.” The Taming of the Shrew will run March 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15. Mark your calendars as to not miss this great night in the theatre! Jovon Eberhart, SAU Junior, also has lent her talent to a theatre other than SAU, but not as an actor. Jovon designed the set for the recent Junior Theatre production of Holes. “It was different working in a setting in which I wasn’t able to be present to work everyday, and I had to rely on others to put the design into motion. I also had to take into account what I could and could not do in the theatre, which always varies from place to place. I learned a lot from this experience.” Holes was directed by SAU Junior Cynthia Smysor. Congratulations all on spreading your wings and bringing a little of the SAU theatre into the community! |
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Farewell to the Frazees: Part I Brad started out at SAU as a student, transferring from the now Marycrest College. He began working as an SAU employee in 1995, and graduated from SAU in 1997. He has worn many hats throughout his time here, and regarding the educational theatre setting he says, “What I love about the university setting is that I like being able to produce or acquire what we need to make the production better. Whatever needs to be done, we do: sound, lights, whatever.” Brad is originally from the Quad Cities, and graduated from North Scott High School. His former teacher Tom Goodall’s words became almost a motto for Brad in his work--. “Do it. I don’t care how it gets done, just make it happen.” This advice is especially helpful in regards to the shows Brad has worked on. “I’ve done so many shows here. One of the first designs I worked on, Fiddler on the Roof, I came in and Kris told me I “couldn’t do that” [what I was doing], and I did. From then on, I am always striving to do one better than I had done before.” Brad’s work ethic and attitude towards projects are contagious among students. “I give suggestions, but never tell someone how they are doing things is wrong. It’s all about the learning experience and having fun.” Brad and his wife Shellee will make the move to Chicago over the summer. In Chicago, Brad plans on continuing his work as a stagehand and rigger with the union. Brad will be greatly missed, but we wish him luck in all of his future endeavors! Stay tuned for news on Shellee in next month’s newsletter! |
Martin "Uncle Andy" Reagan (1926-2007)
Mr. Reagan graduated from the former St. Anthony’s School, St. Ambrose Academy, and St. Ambrose College.He worked in the family business, “Reagan’s Market”, with his parents, Martin and Dora and his brother, Bill.He was a Sergeant Major in the United States Army during the Korean War, serving in Germany. He was Director of the Galvin Fine Arts Center at St. Ambrose until retiring.Andy was a true Renaissance man.He was a gentleman blessed with a scholarly mind, a facile wit, and a temperament that easily conquered tension in any difficult situation. The St. Ambrose Fine Arts had no better friend.From his academic and extra-curricular achievements in the early 1950’s to his eclectic attendance of plays, symphonies, and concerts, to his musical theatre direction, Andy was a constant in the St. Ambrose community. |
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"How to Succeed in Business Without
Really Trying SAU 1998: Howard Johnson as Mr. Biggley with Ted Stephens
as Finch". During his college years, Johnson studied at Wentworth Military Academy and the University of Kansas, as well as Nadia Boulanger’s American Conservatory of Music in France. After a five-year, long-distance relationship, he married Patricia Jean Saunders. Following several orchestra jobs, the couple settled in Davenport in 1968 with their daughter, Valerie. Johnson worked for 34 years as a music teacher in the Davenport Public Schools, where he produced award-winning groups and trained many future professional musicians, including his daughter, April. Always passionate for the stage, Johnson appeared in his first leading role as Curly in Oklahoma! at St. Ambrose University, at the age of 40. He began studying acting, dance, and many languages and dialects. He took acting classes and continued to perform at St. Ambrose University. Johnson appeared in more than 70 productions over the course of 30 years in theaters such as the Playcrafters Barn Theatre, Quad City Music Guild, and Timber Lake Playhouse. He most recently graced the SAU stage as Mr. Bigley in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and as Orgon in Tartuffe. Friends of Johnson remember his quick wit and genuine personality. Those who worked with him in shows remember him as a remarkably positive individual and talented character actor. Cory Johnson (no relation to the deceased) remembers his sense of humor, recalling how is would introduce himself at theatre auditions: “Hi, my name is Howard Johnson. And - yes! - just like the hotel!” |
"Narnia SAU 2006: Adam Burnham as
Tumnus" |
Theatre in the QCA This Month Show: Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story Show: ComedySportz Quad Cities Show: Anybody for Murder? |
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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
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God's Favorite Performs During a Weekend of Inclement Weather
Copyright 2006St. Ambrose University 518 W. Locust Street Davenport IA 52803 563/333-6000Contact SAU