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Theatre
Newsletter: September 2002
September 6 edition 8-02.
St. Ambrose University
Department Chair- Dr. Corinne Johnson- (563) 333-6427
Newsletter Editor: Megan O'Connell SAUTheatreNews@hotmail.com
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Studio Theatre Production Opening 2002-2003 Season
Martin McDonagh's Irish comedy "The Lonesome West"
will be performed in the Galvin Fine Arts Studio Theatre.
The dates are September 13-15. Curtain on the Friday and
Saturday performances rise at 7:30, and the Sunday
performance is at 3:00. Get your tickets at the Galvin Box
office soon!
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SAU STUDENTS AND
FACULTY EXPERIENCE THEATRICAL SUMMER
Over the summer several
SAU Theatre students and faculty experienced local and
professional theatre. Though their experiences varied,
each had a great time and learned a lot.
* Senior Heather Starns who spent second semester and this
summer at the only Equity Theatre in Iowa, the Old Creamery
Theatre in Amana, IA, explored several avenues of
performance. Heather began her paid internship as a stage
manager for the play "Home on the Iowa" (which was
taped by Iowa Public Television). Heather then performed in
the following plays: "Once Upon a Character"
(Ensemble character), "Elephant Man" (Ms.
Sandwich, Princess Alexandra), and "Once Upon a
Mattress" (Lady Lucille, Laughing Girl). Of her
experience Heather said, "I gained more confidence. I
learned a lot from watching the professional actors and
actresses. One actress would get on the stage and hold
nothing back- she taught me a lot about being
fearless."
* Sophomore Allison Costello played Patricia Fodor in
"Crazy For You" at Countryside Community Theatre
this summer Allison said, "I had a blast. Even though
it was a very small role, I could make her have as many
characteristics as I wanted her to have. I never got to have
a British accent before, so I had a lot of fun with the
role."
* Junior Brian Strohm experienced several aspects of
production while helping out at Countryside Community
Theatre. Brian worked on spotlight, program design, and set
construction for "Crazy for You", directed by SAU
alumn Shellee Frazee.
* Faculty member Mike
Kennedy played Mr. Apollo in Circa '21's "Getting Momma
Married", directed by Theatre Chair, Cory Johnson.
His most memorable experience of the production,
"I got to wear red shoes." Playing an
eccentric Greek bachelor made Kennedy's summer, "With
'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' at the movie theatres, and me
wearing my Greek red shoes, it was a Greek Summer all
around."
********************FRESHMEN SPOTLIGHT******************
Full Name: Scott
Andrew Peake
Hometown: Decorah, IA
Major: Theatre & Art
Why did you come to SAU? When I visited it felt
right. Every other college felt strange. The
teachers I spoke with seemed good, and I was impressed with
the programs.
Previous Productions Acted In: "Winnie the
Pooh" (Eyeore), "Oklahoma" (Ali Hakim),
"Sound of Music" (Kurt).
Favorite Experience at SAU: I felt good at auditions
for "Gypsy". It was a great experience for my
first audition here.
Latest Project: Scott is playing Angie in
"Gypsy"
Favorite Actor/Actress: Carol Channing & Zero
Mostel
Dream Job: To own my own theme hotel, with a dinner
theatre attached to it.
Favorite Quote: "Life's a banquet and most sons
of bitches are starving to death!" - Mame.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Raised in
Captivity" Auditions Coming Up!
Nicky Silver's familial comedy, "Raised in
Captivity" will be performed at the SAU Studio Theatre
Thursday Nov. 7- Sat. Nov. 9.
Auditions are: September 17th at 4:00 p.m.
September 18th at 7:00 p.m.
Both nights of auditions are in the Studio Theatre. Scripts
will be available in the Galvin Box Office. If you have any
questions or can't attend auditions please contact the
Director Megan O'Connell at 888-7195.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Welcome New Faces! Caciona Reece
Full Name: Caciona Rae Reece
Hometown: Wheatland, IA
Major: Theatre
Year: Sophomore
Why did you come to SAU: I went to Waldorf College in
Forest City last year but all of a sudden my whole faculty
quit. My favorite professor always talked about Kris
Eitrheim and how great the Ambrose Theatre Department is.
Favorite Previous Productions: "Children of
Eden", "How I Learned to Drive" (Teenage
Greek Chorus)
Favorite Experience at SAU: Just realizing how nice
everyone in the theatre department is.
Latest Project: Caciona is the stage manager for the
upcoming production of "The Lonesome West". She
is also cast as one of the Hollywood Blondes and a stage
mother in "Gypsy".
Favorite Actor: Lief Shrieber- every role he's in
never ceases to amaze me.
Dream Job: Having my own theatre and theatre company
in New York City.
Favorite Quote: "Nothing formative in the world,
nothing great or beautiful in the world has ever been born
of rational argument." Yvan, "Art"
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CAST LIST ANNOUNCED FOR "GYPSY"
The musical
"Gypsy" directed by Cory Johnson, music directed
by Marti Dunn-Hall, choreographed by Shellee Frazee, stage
managed by Eric Behnke, assistant stage managed by Christel
Williams, assistant directed by Kacie McIntyre, costume
designed by Brian Hemesath, and set designed by Kris
Eitrheim.
"Gypsy" will be performed October 17-20.
Matt Erkel: Herbie
Rusty Koll: Uncle Jocko/Kringelein
Ryan Harmsen: Georgie/Mr. Goldstone
Taylor Gillhouse: Balloon Girl
Rock Koehler: Rose's Father/Bourgeron Cochorn
Kelsey Guard: Baby Louise
Kelsey Francis: Baby June
Heather Starns: Mama Rose
Elijah Alvarado: Newsboy
Nathan Spainhower: Newsboy
Adam Spainhower: Newsboy
Dan McGinn: Tulsa
Dan Hale: Yonkers/Clarence the Contortionist
Tony Seward: L.A./Phil
Scott Peake: Angie
Sean Pankuch: St. Paul
Ben Dau: Eldridge
Nate Meyer: Fellner
Jack Kloppenborg: Dixon
Eric Hayek: Weber/Pastey
Phil Potter: Cigar
Trina Gillen: Louise
Renagh O'Leary: Dainty June
Audrey Gregan: Agnes
Caciona Reece: Marjorie May
Sarah Foley: Thelme
Liz Paul: Edna
Sue Brandt: Delores/Stage Mother
June Coons: Dot
Megan O'Connell: Miss Cratchitt/Maid
Beth Curley: Tessie Tura
Allison Costello: Miss Mazeppa
Electra: Jodi Leonard
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Welcome Back Kacie
McIntyre!
After a short time off Kacie McIntyre is back and serving as
assistant director for "Gypsy." We're happy to
have you back Kacie McIntyre!
----------------------------------------
Congratulations
Shellee Frazee!
SAU Theatre Department Alumn Shellee Frazee ('99) has been
in business for two years with her performing arts school.
Center Stage Performing Arts Academy offers a variety of
dance and performing classes. Located on N. Brady
Street, the academy offers classes for a variety of ages.
Some of the classes include the following:
Tap Levels I & II
Beginning Pilates
Ballet Level I & II
Adult Combination Level II
Stage Dancing
Ballroom Dancing
Men's Ballet
Men's Tap
Men's Jazz
Theatre & Acting Skills
Shellee Frazee also offers a great discount to St. Ambrose
students only! "I would love to have St. Ambrose
students at Centerstage," said Frazee. "I'd be
happy to give a 25% discount to SAU students interested in
classes."
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SAU Student to Host
Night of Monologues
Junior writer Rusty Koll has been writing for years. He's
compiled many monologues and has found a stage on which to
perform them. Inspired to perform a one-man show of his
monologues Rusty Koll spoke with Cory Johnson about securing
a night in the Studio Theatre to perform his monologues. In
February, Rusty Koll, with no budget, will perform his yet
to be named evening of monologues.
Koll worked all summer on
his writings. "I wrote seven brand new monologues and
re-wrote two of my old monologues," said Koll. What
is the show about? "It is a compilation of my
little observations about growing up in a small town, never
getting the girl, and writing."
Rusty's production crew follows:
Director: Megan O'Connell
Advisor: Mike Kennedy
The Girl: Jill Schmits
Voiceovers: Dan Hale
Light Designer: Eric Behnke
Dresser: Jessica Rairdon
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If you have any questions or suggestions please contact the
editor of the SAU Theatre Department Newsletter, Megan
O'Connell, at SAUTheatreNews@hotmail.com.
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