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Theatre
Newsletter: December 2002
December 10
edition 12 - 02. St. Ambrose University
Department Chair- Dr. Corinne Johnson- (563) 333-6427
Newsletter Editor: Megan O'Connell SAUTheatreNews@hotmail.com
Happy
Holidays from the SAU Theatre Department!
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SAU Grads
perform in "Proof" at New Ground Theatre:
The Midwest premier of David Auburn's play "Proof"
was an excellent display of SAU graduate talent as '02 grad
Jamie Em Johnson and '97 grad Kristin M. (Halverson) Skaggs
played as sisters united when their father dies. The story
focuses on Catherine (Johnson), a young woman who has spent
the last few years of her life taking care of her father,
Robert, as he rapidly loses touch with reality. The loss is
made all the more distressing as Robert was a former
professor at the University of Chicago and a mathematical
genius. The play begins with Catherine alone, on her 25th
birthday. Her father (Pat Flaherty), enters and offers her
comfort and a bottle of champagne. The exchange between
the two demonstrates the fondness and love between the
father and daughter. It is not until later that the audience
discovers Catherine is speaking to a ghost or memory of her
father. The play continues as Catherine forms a friendship
that eventually becomes romantic, with her father's former
student, Hal (Matthew Davis). Hal is searching through the
hundreds of notebooks Catherine's father left behind for any
last traces of the man's genius. Catherine's hopes to
be left alone are again disturbed when her sister, Claire
(Skaggs), returns for the funeral and wants to bring
Catherine back to New York to live with her. The play
escalates as Hal finds a notebook with an incredible, new
proof that could solve many mathematical mysteries. He
believes the proof to be written by Robert, but challenges
his new relationship with Catherine as she claims the proof
is hers.
"Proof"
is a fantastic script that transcends any confusing
mathematics and relates its complications to the
relationships that bring joy and pain to our lives. Johnson
brought a tremendous focus and understanding to her
character. Her interactions with Flaherty's Robert were a
poignant reminder of the role reversal that often happens
between parents and children. Flaherty's Robert was a
mix of good-hearted professor and fatherly care as he
challenged his daughter while reaching out for her. Matthew
Davis' Hal was charming to watch and sincere. Skaggs' Claire
walked the line of overbearing yet caring sister, as she
alternated between bringing breakfast for her sister and
lecturing her for her messy appearance.
The show's
direction by Chris Jansen was engaging, with a great pace
that slowed only between scenes. Set and lighting design by
Kim Aeby utilized the relatively small space quite well.
New Ground Theatre's mission is to bring the best in
contemporary and original theatre to the Quad Cities while
compensating its artists. President Scott Tunnicliff and
artistic director Chris Jansen should be lauded for a great
script choice. If you're interested in supporting New Ground
and watching head of the SAU Theatre Department, Dr. Corinne
Johnson perform, come see Margaret Edson's "Wit",
January 30, 31, and February 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9. Not only
will you be
supporting a new theatre, you will also enjoy a touching new
script. For any questions contact New Ground Theatre
at 326-PLAY.
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Cast List
for "Brighton Beach Memoirs" Announced
Cory Johnson will be directing the upcoming Neil Simon play
"Brighton Beach Memoirs", which will be performed
February 21-23 in Allaert Auditorium. The play is a
touching story of a family struggling to make ends meet in
the late 30's. The story focuses on Eugene Morris
Jerome who is writing his memoirs on going through puberty,
girls, and most importantly, his family. This is a
comedic play with heart.
The cast:
Eugene........Dan Hale
Blanche.......Jill Schmits
Kate..........Megan O'Connell
Laurie........Jessica Rairdin
Nora..........Trina Gillen
Stanley.......Daniel Sheridan
Jack..........Phil Potter
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Irene Ryan
Nominees Prepare for KC/ACTF
The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival will be
held in Cedar Falls this year, January 21-26th. The
Irene Ryan nominees from SAU include: Beth Curley, Megan
O'Connell, Dan Hale, Dan Sheridan, Trina Gillen and Heather
Starns. Each of the nominees has been working with
Cory Johnson, Kris Eitrheim, and/or Mike Kennedy to perfect
their scene and monologue. If you're unable to attend
the festival and want to see their work before they leave,
you can come to the 2nd showing of the Irene Ryan nominees,
Sunday, January 19th, in the Studio Theatre at 6:30pm
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Freshman Spotlight `````````````````````
Name:
Sean Pankuch
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Aurora, IL
Major: Theatre/PR & Marketing Communications,
Music Minor
Why did you come to SAU? I liked the people, the
campus, and the scholarships.
Favorite Previous Productions: "Joseph & the
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (Pharaoh & Brother
Dan), "Crazy for You" (Mingo), "Little Shop
of Horrors" (Street Bum).
Favorite Experience at SAU: Doing the children's show
"Aladdin" and hearing the reactions of all the
kids.
Latest Project: Sean just finished playing the evil
Malaki in "Aladdin".
Favorite Actor: Jimmy Stewart
Dream Role: Joseph in "Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat"
Dream Job: Head of advertising for a professional
sports team, or an actor on Broadway.
What have you learned since coming here? Don't judge
a script until you hear an audience's reaction to it.
Favorite quote or motto? FUNNY QUOTE: "Honestly
who throw's a show? You fight like a woman." -
Austin Powers MOTTO: The greatest risk is not taking
one.
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Recruiting Trip Looks to be a Success
Cory Johnson, Sue Brandt, and Megan O'Connell ventured to
Indianola, Iowa, November 15-16, to be swarmed by hundreds
of hormonal high schoolers at the Iowa Thespian Conference. Not
that the goal of the trip was to be swarmed, it just
happened. The Thespian Conference is a gathering of
Iowa high school troupes that participate in the
conference's workshops, plays, and college recruiting. Preparations
by Johnson and Kris Eitrheim insured the SAU Theatre
Department Booth's success. The recruiters were equipped
with Ambrose signs that were held up by three pillars that
were wired with small fresnels to light the signs and the
booth. SAU's booth attracted the most high school students
because of the women's presence and ability to answer
questions on the spot. Students also enjoyed signing up to
win sweatshirts and partake in the free candy offered by the
SAU Theatre Department. Many students signed up for more
information about St. Ambrose and have already called to
book times for scholarship auditions. When asked about the
experience of recruiting, senior Megan O'Connell replied
"It was great to see fresh faces excited about theatre. It
was even better that they were coming to our booth to find
out more about St. Ambrose's Theatre Department!"
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"Aladdin"
A Delight!
Mike Kennedy's production of "Aladdin"
brought many wishes to life in Allaert Auditorium December 4
- 8th. Galvin was filled with children from local grade
schools who were eager to see Aladdin and his adventures.
The production sparkled and entertained the gleeful children
who watched, wide-eyed, from their seats in the theatre as
the storyteller, Scheherazad (played by the agile Lacey
Jacobs) appeared from a trap door in the stage and began the
story of Aladdin's adventures. Aladdin, played by freshmen,
Dan McGinn was a charismatic character who brought the
audience into his world of adventure and bravery. His
sidekick, the monkey Cashew, was played by the adorable Jodi
Leonard, aided in many of Aladdin's escapes and brushes with
the evil counselor Malaki. Sean Pankuch, who played the
villain, Malaki, made for a towering and intimidating foe
that audience's loved to hate. The Princess Zenovia (Amanda
Gagliani) and her father, the sultan Karim (Rusty Koll)
played well off each other as they bantered about her
marriage prospects as suitor after suitor appeared to court
Zenovia. The story became more exciting as Malaki made
Aladdin and Cashew seek out the famous lamp within a dark
cave. Aladdin, having found the lamp, unwittingly
releases the grateful Genie, played by a dazzling Allison
Costello, who in turn offers him three wishes.
The audience is
not forgotten in this production as the Genie and other
characters onstage, lead the audience in a song "Wish,
Wish, Wish" where they help Aladdin gain his wishes by
singing with the Genie to grant them. The play ends as
Aladdin is granted his most fevered wish, a marriage with
Princess Zenovia, and a happy ending for all.
he set design,
by Kristofer Eitrheim, utilized great backdrops, and set
pieces that moved on and off stage easily. The most
captivating scenic design was in the cave, which had dark
drops that exuded doom. Lighting designer, Mike Shafer
worked well with Eitrheim to light the set and help
establish the mood in the cave, as well as in the palace
gardens. Costumes by Dianne Dye sparkled and
contributed to the mystical setting. Her work with Pankuch's
costume to make him a billowy, daunting character proved
quite effective. By combining all aspects of design and the
script, director, Mike Kennedy, created a children's story
that captured the attention of children and adults, and
brought both the characters of "Aladdin" and the
audience, to life.
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Engagement
Announcement
Two of SAU's Theatre Department's finest have announced
their engagement. Dan Hale and Jessica Rairdin became
engaged on their two-year anniversary. "Words
can't express how happy I am," Hale commented. The
two will also be working together in the upcoming production
of "Brighton Beach Memoirs" with Hale as the
character Eugene, and Rairdon as Laurie. They will
also be working side by side as Hale directs "Art,"
(which opens in April) and Rairdin serving as stage manager.
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Happy
Holidays to You All!
Please be safe and have a fantastic holiday season! We'll
see you in January!
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