Theatre Newsletter: April 2002

April 11th edition 6 - 02. St. Ambrose University
Department Chair- Dr. Corinne Johnson-  (563) 333-6427
Theatre Department Web Page - http://web.sau.edu/theatre/
Newsletter Editor: Megan O'Connell SAUTheatreNews@hotmail.com

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ATTENTION: Galvin Invitations Arrive!

The SAU Theatre Dept. Callboard has arranged for this year's Annual Galvin Theatre Award Celebration. The Galvins will be held at The Dock Restaurant, Saturday, May 4th. Cocktails begin at 6:00 p.m., and the optional dinner starts at 6:30. The awards immediately follow dinner.

If you have not received your invitation and are interested in attending, stop by the Galvin box office by Friday, April 26, to place your reservation (even if you are not eating dinner). Dinner costs $17, and is due at time of reservation.

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Student Writes Music for SAU Production of Macbeth

War, witches, and murders form the backdrop of Shakespeare's "Macbeth." Senior music major Aaron Randolph created a sound design for SAU's production of "Macbeth" that combines all three. 
"The supernatural world of 'Macbeth' has more sound effects than melodies," Randolph explained. "It may sound like whirring, humming, and rattling. It's kind of spooky."

Playing the leading role and working as sound designer for "Macbeth" was the biggest challenge to Randolph. "It's been a lot of work but I'm glad I did it," Randolph commented. "I really wanted to do music for a Shakespeare production since I started sound design."

Randolph has worked on the music for "Macbeth" since last summer. He spent the summer and first semester conceiving and writing the music. Yet, challenges still met Randolph along the way.

"What the real challenge of the sound design wasn't writing the music," Randolph said.  "I had to write music that had an epic feeling to it, yet was simple enough for volunteers to play in their free time."

The SAU Choir provided vocals for Randolph's pieces. Katie Krug played the French horn, Kirstin Ihde performed percussion, and Ali Issa played the trumpet. Randolph filled in with other instruments and sound effects for the sound design.

Writing music that reflected the period of "Macbeth" provided a challenge to Randolph as well.

"At first we wanted the music to be of the period," Randolph said. "But most of those instruments were recorders and lutes. It's difficult to find people who can play these instruments. So we stuck with music that mimicked the time period and provided an archaic and eerie sound."

Randolph's efforts in sound design have not gone unrewarded.  He received a Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival Honorable Mention for his sound design of SAU's production of "Hedda Gabbler" as well as for his original music in "James and the Giant Peach".

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SAU Grad Starts Performing Arts Academy:

Shellee Frazee, a 2000 graduate of SAU's Theatre Department has opened the "Center Stage Performing Arts Academy" in Davenport. Frazee has taught dance for fifteen years. Using experience, business savvy, and her passion for the arts, Frazee opened her studio in January, 2002.

Center Stage Performing Arts Academy offers courses in dance and theatre. Some dance courses include tap, jazz, and a special dancer's class in Pilates. Pilates are a non-aerobic exercise which allow one to stretch muscles without building bulk.

This summer Center Stage Performing Arts will offer a class in musical theatre production.  Student between the ages of 8 and 18 may sign up to be in the musical play "How to Eat Like A Child, And Other Lessons in Not Being a Grown Up." The musical will be performed August 2 and 3.

Teaching offers an opportunity for instructors to pass on not only their experience but also their passion to their students. When asked what she hopes to pass on to her students Frazee replies, "More than anything I hope they take a passion and love for the arts in general. I want them to discover the arts in all aspects of their life."

Frazee is eager to teach Ambrose students. "I always offer Ambrose students a tuition break," Frazee said. "I will certainly work with them financially."

Center Stage Performing Arts Academy will also offer several four-day camps this summer if a student is curious in a specific style of dance. "The camps are short and sweet," Frazee said. "But you can find out if you want to learn more about the style."

If you are interested in classes or want to find out more about the Center Stage Performing Arts Academy, you can contact Shellee Frazee at: (563)391-3174.

******** Professor Profile *********

Leaning back in the chair of his basement office in Galvin, Mike Kennedy explains his life in one sentence.

"Most of my life's just been work."

As a youth in Rock Island, Kennedy laid tracks for the railroad, helped with his father's lamp business, and began his performing career in summer theater with the Rock Island, Illinois Genesius Guild. His background displays a vast array of jobs ranging from cameraman to an acting instructor with Burt Reynolds.

After graduating from Alleman High School, Kennedy attended St. Ambrose University, receiving a bachelor's degree in Speech and Theatre. Though school kept Kennedy busy, he still spent his evenings working at the Quad Cities television station, WHBF.

Yet it was the challenge of a friend that convinced Kennedy to study for his master's in Theatre.

"I didn't want him to get a degree higher than me." Kennedy said.

Kennedy traveled to Philadelphia to attend Villanova. He paid his way through school by working at a local tavern and laboring for the Villanova Athletic Department. Most of these tasks were not glamorous.

"I had to dig a 16-by-16 foot hole in the side of a hill for the athletic department's gear shop," Kennedy said.  "Good Irish Labor."

After returning to the Quad Cities to finish his thesis on Shakespeare's villain, Iago, Kennedy taught at Blackhawk College for three years.

The siren call of Hollywood soon reached Kennedy. He left Iowa with $1,200 and ended up spending $800 on car repairs. When he finally arrived in California, he got an interview at CBS for production positions on the Red Skeleton or Danny Kaye shows. However, when he showed up for his interview he found out the first major television strike began that morning, and the man who was to interview him died of a heart attack three days earlier.

Taking his bad luck in stride, Kennedy worked as a dealer in a card club in Gardina, Calif. Not wanting to forsake his acting, Kennedy knocked on the door of the Jimmy Best Acting Studio for classes. He traded film acting lessons from Jimmy Best and in return, taught stage acting and Shakespeare classes. Though he spent his days at the school meeting and working with soon-to-be film stars, Kennedy still worked at the card club, and slept in the theatre of the school.

Kennedy took Kung Fu lessons in Hollywood and recalled a quiet, nice guy in the same class. The man was late to class one day and was talking more than usual. He showed Kennedy his first new car, a XKE Jaguar, and explained that he just renewed an acting contract.  Kennedy explains that this man, Clint Eastwood, is probably the most famous person he ever met.

Kennedy returned to the Quad Cities and began teaching at SAU in 1969. He remembers teaching students such as Duke Schneider and Ken Colwell, who now work in the SAU Communication Department.

Kennedy keeps one foot in the communication department and one in theatre. Yet, one particular attribute of SAU keeps him here.

"I like the hands off policy.  I have the freedom to do what I want to do.  If you know what you're doing and are confident in doing it, they leave you alone."

Students are eager to work with Kennedy.  Louis Hare has worked with Kennedy in the classroom and on the stage.

"Mike Kennedy is surprisingly the funniest man on the SAU campus," Hare said.  "As funny as he is, he is also down to business. Sometimes he can be intimidating, but it only makes you want to work harder for him."

When asked about retirement plans, Kennedy is quick to answer.

"I have no plans for retirement yet."

*********** Freshmen Spotlight ***********

Full Name: Kelly Beitzel
Hometown:  Sydney, Australia and Davenport, IA
Major: Theater
Why did you come to SAU? "I had been searching for a place that was either Division I or II for the purpose of doing sports and receiving a scholarship. But because I wanted to learn something.  I also wanted to go to a place that had a decent theatre and music department. Overall, I came to SAU after a lot of prayer and feeling like this is where God wanted me to be."
Previous Productions: "Winnie the Pooh" (Roo), "Sylvan Slough" (Dedre)
Favorite Experience at SAU: Playing Roo in Winnie the Pooh, it was a lot of fun, and my first play ever.
Latest Project: Helping in the costume shops with costumes for Macbeth.
Favorite Actor/Actress: Denzel Washington & Sandra Bullock
What have you learned about Theatre since you came to school at SAU?
"I have learned so much because I knew so little when I came.  I've had an opportunity to act on the main stage and Studio stage, I've learned to build sets, hang lights, run sound, and sew!"
Dream Job: "My dream job would be going back to Australia, where I would help out with youth evangelistic outreach events doing skits to help portray the message the speaker will speak.  God and Theatre are my passion in life."
Favorite Quote: If you want to make an impact, there's going to be a collision.

********** Senior Salute *************

Full Name: Aaron Peter Randolph III
Birthdate: August 2, 1979
Hometown: Marion, IA
Major: Music
Minor:  Theatre
Date of Graduation: May 2002
SAU Theatre Experience: "Play it Again Sam" (Alan), "Picasso at Lapine Agile" (Picasso), "Lonely Planet" (Jody), "How I Learned to Drive" (Uncle Peck), "Macbeth" (Macbeth), "Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" (Miles Gloriosus), "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" (Mr. Johnson).
Dream Project: To write a really worthwhile musical, not some crappy piece of fluff. Musicals could be such an excellent form of expression, they're reduced to being theatre's form of pop culture.
Favorite actor: Kevin Spacey
What will you miss most when you graduate: I would miss being involved in plays, and seeing Kris Eitrheim on a daily basis.
Latest Project: Sound designer and title character in "Macbeth".

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Student Directed One-Acts:

This year's directing class one-acts will be performed Sunday, May 5, and Tuesday, May 7. The doors will open for the free performances at 6:30 p.m. each night, and at 7 p.m., the performances begin.

Sunday evening's plays will begin with director Megan O'Connell's comedy "The Original Last Wish Baby", by William Seebring. After a short intermission, director Louis Hare's one-act entitled, "Sexual Perversity in Chicago", by David Mamet, will close the evening.

On Tuesday evening, Jamie Johnson's one-act "No Exit" by John Paul Sartre, and director Dan Hale's new one-act by John Monteleoene, "He/She", will be performed.

When questioned about the challenges of directing, all of the directors are eager for the process. "Directing is difficult, but rewarding," commented Dan Hale.

The experience of directing a play and bearing the responsibility for it is a welcome challenge to these actors and directors.

"I'm looking forward to the experience," Hale said. "I'm really happy about my choice of script. Everyone involved is excited about it. They're bringing really cool ideas to the production."

Jamie Johnson also enjoys directing. "I like working with the actors and getting their opinions," Johnson said. "I like the collaboration."

The directors research their plays thoroughly and present their concept and metaphor for their one-act to the class. Each of the directors have already directed a scene earlier in the semester.

"Though the prospect of directing a play seems daunting, I'm thrilled to face the challenge," Megan O'Connell said. "Working with the actors to tell a story, and choosing how the audience can perceive that story is a fascinating experience."

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New Play Premieres at SAU Studio Theatre

"Sylvan Slough" premiered in the SAU Studio Theatre Thursday, March 21-23. Written by SAU professor Randy Richards, the play questions if people are obligated morally, to do good. The story focuses on a man who sees two young men jumping off a bridge into the Sylvan Slough. When the man, Ron (played by Rick Koehler), decides to leave the area so he won't be responsible for anything that may happen to the adolescents, his wife (Kelly Beitzel), questions him on his choice. Ron's culpability reaches a point when he and his wife hear the on the news that one of the boy's drowned.

The play spirals into chaos when the police believe that the other boy Hector, (David Hayes) killed his friend Trino (Esteban Bersosa). When Ron attempts to convince Hector to tell the police the truth that the boys were playing and jumping off the bridge, Hector counters that he will run away from the police. The climax of the play occurs when the police attempt to arrest Hector and he runs away, and is shot in the attempt. Ron, and the audience, is left to ponder their moral duty to do good.

The playwright, Randy Richards, has taught at SAU since 1974. He is a professor of Philosophy and Management Studies. "Sylvan Slough" is one of five plays he has written, as well as one novel.

Working on a new play was an interesting challenge for freshmen Kelly Beitzel. "This production was interesting because it was a new play and there were so many people learning things for the first time," Beitzel explained. "Susan McDonald was directing a larger cast for the first time. Many of the actors were acting for the first time, and it was Randy's first production on one of his plays. It was neat to see how all of it came together in the end."

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"Anton in Showbusiness" Rests

After a very successful showing at the American College Theater Festival in Nebraska, this past January, "Anton in Showbusiness" was temporarily held for consideration for the National Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.  Though it was not chosen for the performance, those involved with the entire experience appreciated the opportunity to perform at the Regional Festival.

Stage Manager and Assistant Director Louis Hare commented, "Everyone in the show has a lot for which they can be proud."

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Next Year's Mainstage Productions Selected

The main stage slots have been chosen by the callboard and directors.  The first main stage performance, in the fall slot, is the musical "Gypsy", and will be directed by Dr. Corinne Johnson. Michael Kennedy will direct the children's production of "Aladdin" in December. The February slot belongs to Johnson and the Neil Simon comedy "Brighton Beach Memoirs." The final main stage production is "A Man for All Seasons" and will be directed by Kennedy.

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