Theatre Newsletter: November 2003

St. Ambrose University Theatre Department Newsletter

Department Chair: Kristofer Eitrheim – (563) 333-6255

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Corinne Johnson – (563) 333-6427

Newsletter Editor: Daniel Sheridan, SAU Junior, SAUTheatreNews@Yahoo.com

Contributing Journalist: Julie Arensdorf, SAU Freshman

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Betrayal in the Studio Theatre

Betrayal, by Harold Pinter, is a story about an affair between a woman (Emma) and her husband Robert’s best friend (Jerry). The play displays the emotional and physical toll the affair takes on each of the characters. This psychological thriller is unique because it takes place in reverse chronological order. The show is the second of the season for the Galvin Studio Theatre, following Private Eyes, and Director Rusty Koll describes the play as “Sophisticated, yet savage.”

Koll, an SAU senior, is excited about Betrayal because it’s “an actor piece, with much above and beneath the surface of the text. I like the style of the play, and the world in which they live.” In order to direct in the studio theatre, Koll enrolled in and successfully completed the directing class at SAU last spring, and then filled out an application to direct in the studio theatre. He also completed the two pre-requisite courses, stagecraft and beginning acting. Koll chose the piece after Dr. Corinne Johnson suggested the play to him in his Theatre History II class last spring.

SAU sophomore Jamie Booher, Betrayal’s Stage Manager, is very excited to work in the studio for the first time. “It’s a whole different atmosphere in the studio. I feel very prepared for this show. I have a great technical team and they make my job so much easier.”

Allison Costello, an SAU junior, is the costume designer for the show.  Koll made the final costume design choice from Dr. Johnson’s costume design class, choosing Costello‘s design.  This is a new challenge for Costello, as she has mostly been exposed to acting and on-stage experience.  On her process Allison commented, “Researching back to the 1970s is great, the clothing worn back then was actually quite groovy, and some styles are even brought back today.”  Costello has had to do an enormous amount of rummaging through costumes and shoes in hopes of finding a perfect fit, according to her design.  “It’s a challenge, but well worth the experience!”

In closing, Koll remarked, “Betrayal will make you think about what you say and the way you say it.”

Galvin Fine Arts Studio Theatre
November 14 & 15 @ 7:30pm
November 16 @ 3:00pm

*For reservations, contact the Galvin Box Office at (563) 333-6251.  Seating is limited to 50 seats, so make reservations as soon as possible.

Cast

Robert - Matt Erkel

Jerry - Daniel Sheridan

Emma - Jill Schmits

Waiter - Ryan Harmsen

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Back in the Spotlight

Name:  Theodore John Stephens III

Year:  Returning graduate from 00’

Hometown:  Davenport, IA

Major(s) & Minor(s):  Successfully completed a bachelor degree in Marketing Communications and Public Relations with a minor in theatre.

Previous Productions:  Alan Swan in My Favorite Year, Matthew in Private Eyes, Stine in City of Angels, Stage Manager for How I Learned to Drive, Centipede in James and the Giant Peach, Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Burton in Burn This, Assistant Stage Manager for Buried Child, Orin the Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors.

Current job?  “I am currently the Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing at St. Ambrose.”

Why did you return to classes at SAU?  “My theatre degree is always something I wanted to finish but didn’t have time to complete.  I am back to attain my theatre degree and pursue a career in acting to avoid any “what ifs” about myself later in life.”

Favorite SAU experience?  “The first performance of Private Eyes in the final scene of the show.  It was the first time I truly understood a character and felt the same way he did.”

Latest project?  “Alan Swan in My Favorite Year.”

Dream job?  “Broadway Actor, but I’d settle for off-off-off-off Broadway too.”

Favorite quote?  “Being dead is not enough when you dream of being great.”

Favorite word?  “Son-of-a-Beehive.”  A term often used in the Ambrose Marketing Department.

Least favorite word?  “No.”

If Heaven exists, what would you like God to say?  “Do you wanna go another round?”

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Second Semester AUDITIONS already?

Auditions for Thornton Wilder’s Our Town will be held on December 4^th and 5^th from 4pm – 6pm and December 6^th from 10am – noon. The show will be the first mainstage production of the second semester at SAU.  There are a multitude of parts that need to be cast, from leading roles to townspeople.  Theatre majors or not, everyone is encouraged to audition for this Pulitzer Prize winning show.

Our Town is a three-act play that studies the different stages in human life; birth, love, marriage and death.  It takes place in a small town in New Hampshire called Grover’s Corner.  It is here that the simple things in life earn a greater appreciation, as the trials of a family are followed through a generation.  The final act is set in a graveyard, with the spirits of the characters who have passed away understanding the true meaning of life.

Auditions

December 4^th and 5^th from 4pm – 6pm

December 6^th from 10am – noon

Scripts available in the Galvin Box Office.

* If you would like to audition, but cannot attend any of the said dates, please contact the director, Dr. Corinne Johnson, at (563) 333-6427 to set up a separate audition time. 

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Students Land Professional Gigs

One of the most important goals of the SAU theatre department is to train students so that they will be able to go out in the real world and make a career in professional theatre.  The department is proud to announce that two SAU students are currently working professional theatre jobs. 

Dan Hale, a senior, plays the character of G in The Primitive at the New Ground Theatre.  The show, a romantic comedy, is about the evolution of relationship; the journey two people make through their experiences with one another.  “I like G because I can relate to him.  He is an artist and he has a large heart.”  Although they have only recently begun the rehearsal process, Hale comments that the experience “is not too shabby. I love working with Jamie Johnson.”  Hale would recommend an experience like this to other students. “It is worthwhile to see how other local theatres put together a show.  The money ain’t bad either!”

Jenny Stodd, an SAU sophomore, plays a 13-year-old orphan named Duffy in Annie at the Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse.  “She is sassy and tough around bullies.”  Annie is about an 11-year-old orphan, who believes her parents are still alive.  She befriends a famous millionaire, who helps her search for them.

Stodd performed in her first Circa ‘21 show when she was a child, and has continued to have successful auditions.  Stodd is also the “child wrangler” for the show, meaning she is responsible for the kids during rehearsals and performances.  “The kids come up with new things every day, and they’re not shy on stage at all.  I think watching them learn and playing with them has been the best part so far.”

Stodd would also recommend this opportunity to other students. “I will admit I get tired and miss my time at school, but I’m having a blast.  An experience like this, while you’re in college, is incredible.  It makes you more excited for the future.”

The Primitive

New Ground Theatre

326-7529

Nov. 28 & 29, Dec. 4,5, & 6 -7:30pm

Nov. 30, Dec 6 & 7 - 2:00pm

Tickets $12 adults, $10 students and senior citizens

Annie

Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse

786-7733

Nov. 5- Jan. 16

Tickets $21 show only, $38 dinner and show

*See Jenny Stodd for $10 off 1 pair of tickets

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Senior Salute

Name:  Daniel Keith Hale

Hometown:  Bettendorf, IA

Major(s) & Minor(s):  Theatre Major and Art Minor

Previous Productions at SAU:  Benji in My Favorite Year, Eugene in Brighton Beach Memoirs, Gypsy, Father Welsh-Walsh in The Lonesome West, Witch/Porter in Macbeth, Piglet in Winnie-the-Pooh, Rhythm Ranch, City of Angels, Ladies not for Burning, James and the Giant Peach, and Antigone.  Hale also directed the studio one-act “Art.”

Favorite SAU experience?  “The theatre trip I took to London in 2001.”

Favorite role?  “Eugene in Brighton Beach Memoirs.  The cast became really close and Eugene was a fun character because he was a kid.  It was fun because I got to explore the set through my physicality and playfulness.”

Latest project?  “I am playing G in The Primitive at New Ground Theatre.”

Dream job?  “A meaningful entertainer.”

Favorite Actor/Actress?  “John Cleese.”

Favorite quote?  “It’s all about attitude.” 

Favorite word?  “Wiggley-Diggle.”

Least favorite word?  “Anything derogatory.”

If Heaven exists, what would you like God to say?  “Yes.”

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SAU’s Production of “Pippi Longstocking”

Student Performances Dec. 3-5

Public Performances Dec. 6 & 7 - 3:00pm

Tickets available at the Galvin Fine Arts Center Box Office (563) 333-6251

$7 Adults and $6 Faculty/Staff, Alumni, Senior Citizens, Students and Children

SAU students with current ID are free

Cast

Pippi - Allison Costello

Mrs. Stettergren - Kacie McIntyre

Tommy - Scott Peake

Annika - Ann Nowicki

Mr. Nielson - Claire Richards

Mighty Lars - Matt Erkel

The Ringmaster - Chris Bright

Mr. Peterson - Sean Pankuch

Tramp #1 - Jodi Leonard

Tramp #2 - Jacob Kendall

Clowns/Students - Brian “Pitt” Strohm, June Coons, Dan McGinn, Julie Arensdorf

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Extra Knowledge Offered in Stage Management

“Go… Go… Go… Hold… Go,” said senior Eric Behnke, as he stage-managed the most recent Ambrose production of the musical My Favorite Year.  These words are often what comes out of a stage managers mouth, into the headset, and out to his or her team.  These orders carry out the lighting, scene shifts, sound and music of a production.  Yet other than hands on experience with our own productions, this element of a production is an aspect of the theatre Ambrose offers no courses in.  However, an opportunity is knocking for second semester this year.

Debbie Alley, currently a professor at Illinois State University and an Equity stage manager (SM), will be instructing a one credit hour class on stage management this Spring.  Beyond being an Equity SM, Alley received an MFA in directing from Illinois State University. 

The stage-management class will be held for one weekend, Saturday, January 31^st to Sunday, February 1^st, for roughly six hours per day.  “I want to hit on the basic responsibilities of a stage manager; what you should be doing before rehearsals begin, during rehearsals, techs and performances,” said Alley.  “I’m also very interested in less tangible skills, like problem-solving and being a mediator.”

SAU Theatre Department Chair, Kris Eitrheim said, “This class gives us the opportunity to offer students a chance to partake in an area that is usually a little outside of the department’s scope.”  Matt Cox, a senior and SM for the upcoming Pippi Longstocking, added, “It will be a great chance to get a professional perspective and see how things are operated in the real world.”

Having held a number of professional jobs, Alley looks forward to the interaction with the students of SAU.  “I feel like I’m affecting the way theatre will be done in years to come when I teach.”  Alley has a number of her previous students influencing the theatre world now.  “I’ve got former stage management students working at Chicago Shakespeare, the Goodman, Famous Door, Steppenwolf, the Baliwick, and Nobel Fool – all in Chicago.  There are also students working professionally in New York, Georgia and California.”

Alley did not become interested in theatre until after she had earned her undergraduate degree and was teaching in the public school system.  A group of seventh graders asked her to sponsor a drama club and, returning to earn her MFA, Debbie has never looked back.  “I love theatre because it appeals both to my wild artistic self and my controlled organizational self.”  And if you can direct and stage-manage seventh graders, teaching a small band of SAU students a little something should be a drop in the pail for Debbie Alley.

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Freshman Spotlight

Name:  Jacob Ryan Kendall

Hometown:  Bettendorf, IA

Major(s) & Minor(s):  Theatre and Psychology Major

Previous Productions:  Stage Manager in My Favorite Year, Tom Lamont in Bad Year for Tomatoes, and Florenz Zigfield in Funny Girl.

Why did you come to SAU?  “Proximity and the amount of money that Ambrose gave to me.  I’m also a good friend with the Dean of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Koch.”

Favorite SAU experience?  “Getting to know the cast and the department during My Favorite Year."

Latest project?  “Tramp #2 in Pippi Longstocking.”

Dream job?  “I would say professionally acting.  But really, the dream job would be to act opposite my favorite actors.”

Favorite Actor/Actress?  “Al Pacino and Martin Short.”

Favorite quote?  “Are you making fun of racist people?”  A comment that Jake overheard on a trip to New York City.

Favorite word?  “Squirrel.”

Least favorite word?  “Swear words in general.”

If Heaven exists, what would you like God to say?  “I thought you’d never show up.”

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SAU Grad Creates Play for Local Performing Arts Center

Clay Sander, an SAU alum with a major in Mass Communications and a minor in Business, has recently written a script about the life of Iowa Artist Grant Wood for a fundraiser for the Bettendorf Performing Arts Center.  This task was challenging for Sander as a biographical play is very creatively limiting.  “The process was a lot of research as well as finding stories within that research.”  This task has presented a good example of the difference of being a commissioned writer, and being an autonomous playwright.  There were also struggles with communication breakdown, which can only be expected because Sander resides in Chicago.  “(Those who hired me) have to approve the script, which means that if they want something out-it’s out.”

“Grant Wood is someone I think Iowans need to know more about.   He’s a world famous artist who we kind of took for granted.”  There are five scenes in the piece that show the many different sides of Wood’s personality.

Sander himself has lived quite an interesting life.  He has written several scripts including Leopold!, Losers Bracket, and Bad Judgment Day (written with his brother, Nate.)  Leopold! (which Sander also acted in with SAU graduate David Bonde) was scouted by HBO Sketchpad and is “strongly being considered for inclusion in next year’s season.”  He has also performed with ComedySportz, ImprovOlympic Mainstage, Postmortem, and is currently a company member of WNEP Theatre (Chicago).

As far as what’s to come in the future, Sander comments, “nothing is official.”  Losers Bracket will have an open run in Chicago starting the summer of 2004.  This will be his full-time business (along side his brother).  “If all goes well, I can keep the ball rolling for years to come.  We have great reviews and had a great initial run, so we hope this play will be a mainstay for Chicago Theater.”  Bad Judgment Day opens January 15th at the WNEP Theater.  Sander will also be performing at Sketchfest 2004 in Chicago, as well as Defending Your Life; an improvised play based on the film, which starts in January 2004.

St. Ambrose Theatre Department would like to thank Clay Sander for his work as well as granting us the interview.  We would also like to wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Grant Wood Production Dates

Nov. 8th- 8:00pm

Nov. 9th- 3:00pm

Nov. 10th- 9:30am & 12:30pm (student performances w/ discounts available)

*Tickets run at $25 a piece.  Including the Grant Wood performance, there will also be an art opening and a living art performance, which consists of costumed people dressed as the art work itself.  For tickets, contact the Family Museum (563) 344-4106 or the Bettendorf Public Library (563) 344-4175.  Event runs at approximately two hours in length.

Where:  Eagles Building: 2850 18th St., Bettendorf, IA

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Death of a Salesman to Reunite SAU Alumni

Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman is considered by many to be one of the most inspiring and evocative works produced in American dramatic literature.  It is with this moving piece that the Theatre Department at St. Ambrose University is hoping to reunite its alumni and merge them with current students and faculty to create a piece of unforgettable artwork filled with invaluable experience.

SAU is proud to have its very own Michael Kennedy playing Willy Loman, the tragic lead that is determined to find success, or die trying.  Kennedy, a professor in communications and theatre at SAU for the past thirty-four years, is delighted for the opportunity to play this complex role.  Dr. Corinne Johnson is also slated to play opposite of Michael Kennedy as Linda, Willy Loman’s wife.  Directing the show will be Ambrose alum, Matthew Speak.  Costuming will be done by SAU alum, Brian Hemesath.  Ted Stephens III (SAU 00’) will be the stage manager and also design the advertising for the show.

As many people already are, the excitement continues to brew within the department.  “It is a chance to see Kennedy perform onstage in a tour-de-force role for American actors.  Seeing him play Willy Loman will be an incredible lesson in acting,” said Dr. Johnson. 

Anyone who has ever participated with the SAU theatre department is strongly encouraged to contribute to this production.  If interested, please contact Cory Johnson (563-333-6427) at your earliest convenience.  “I am really thrilled to have this fabulous play be done on our stage with a cast and crew that can serve it well,” Dr. Johnson said in closing.  “We want to include as many as we can in this experience.”