Contact Us Search SAU Ambrose A-Z SAU Home
Welcome to St. Ambrose Admissions Academics Athletics Alumni Library Campus Life The Arts @ SAU
 St. Ambrose logo Theatre Department  

Theatre Newsletter: APRIL 2005

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

St. Ambrose University Theatre Department Newsletter
April Edition
April 4th, Edition 7 - '04-'05
518 West Locust St. Davenport, IA 52804

Department Chair: Kristofer Eitrheim - (563) 333-6255, EitrheimKristoferJ@sau.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Corinne Johnson - (563) 333-6427, JohnsonCorinneS@sau.edu
Newsletter Editor: Jenny Stodd, SAU Junior, SAUTheatreNews@Yahoo.com
Contributing Journalists: Daniel Sheridan, SAU Senior / Jamie Booher, SAU Junior / 

Emily Clifton, SAU Sophomore / Andrew Harvey, SAU Sophomore

 

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

 

In This Issue:

 1)  Upcoming Mainstage Performance of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead

 2)  Edward Albee Visits SAU

 3)  SAU Sends Off Student to National Theatre Festival

 4)  Galvin Awards Scheduled

 5)  Student and Alums in The King and I

 6)  Directing Class One-Acts

 7)  SAU Student on Tour

 8)  Senior Salute

 9)  Living Theatre Visits SAU

10)  Theatre Around the QCA

 

Heads… Heads… Heads Up on Mainstage Show

Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead will be wrapping up the Galvin 2004-2005 Mainstage Season, April 15th  – 17th.  The story follows two minor characters from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, as they attempt to figure out why they are where they are.  Stoppard’s contemporary wit, woven in with Shakespeare’s literary genius, guarantees an enjoyable, insightful and inspiring night at the theatre.

“I don’t want to say too much about the show,” explained director Daniel Sheridan, SAU senior.  “It’s tough to pin down R&G simply using words.  It really is an exciting experience that needs to be seen and heard, not explained.” 

This is the third time in fifteen years that a current undergraduate student has directed on the mainstage.  Former undergraduate directors are Matt Speak (‘95) and Erick Holloway (’00).  In order to direct on the mainstage, students must successfully pass Directing 312, apply and successfully direct in the studio theatre, and then apply for a mainstage slot, suggesting shows they would like to direct.  The shows and directors are then selected by the faculty, in conjunction with the “Callboard” (student representatives).

“What grabbed my attention about R&G is that it spoke to me in a way that I didn’t quite understand at first and am still learning about,” stated Sheridan.  Scenic designer Kris Eitrheim added, “Plays like R&G are open to endless design possibilities.  The collaboration process with Sheridan has been exciting.  It is great to start someplace in a process and end someplace else.”

Putting the show together has been no easy task.  With a cast of 17 people, costume designer and faculty member Dr. Corinne Johnson has her hands full.  “It does take a lot of time,” added Dr. Johnson.  “But it is good to work on something that is tangible.  I am able to look back at the end of the day and see what I’ve completed.”  Co-costume designer Crystal Williams, SAU senior, has been inspirational for Dr. Johnson. “It’s wonderful to see a young designer serve a play’s concept so effectively.” 

Even under all the design pressure, R&G will be ready to go and awaiting an audience’s arrival on April 15th. “There has been a great sense of preparation and guidance and I feel we’ll be beyond ready for an audience,” commented Andrew Harvey (Guildenstern), SAU sophomore. “Jeremy Pack (Rosencrantz, SAU sophomore) has given me a lot to work with as an actor because he is so honest and dedicated in every moment onstage.  There’s a real sense of give and take that Sheridan has helped cultivate between us.”

“This has been a great way to end my Ambrose ‘career,’ so to speak,” Sheridan chuckled.  “I couldn’t have asked for a better design team, crew and cast to collaborate with.  It’s been a blast and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern has provided me a powerful canvas to apply all that St. Ambrose has taught me over my four years.”

Where: Galvin Fine Arts Center - Allaert Auditorium

When: Friday, April 15th @ 7:30pm

Saturday, April 16th @ 7:30pm

Sunday, April 17th @ 3:00pm

Tickets:

*Reserve tickets at the Galvin Box Office (563) 333-6251 or online.

*$10 Adults, $9 Faculty/Staff/Alumni/Senior Citizens, $8 Students/Children, $7 Groups, SAU students FREE with a current valid student ID.

 

********************************************************************

Who’s Afraid of the Play About the Three Tall Delicate American Goat Sea Story?

Ecstatic and anxious Ambrosians are scrambling to find their autograph books as they wait in eager anticipation for his arrival on the weekend of April 8th.  For whom are they waiting?  Vin Diesel?  President Bush?  Godot?  No, even better than that—the highly influential and groundbreaking playwright, Edward Albee.

As part of the Quad City Arts’ 2005 Cary Grant Residency, Edward Albee has been asked to appear at St. Ambrose.  On Friday, April 8th at 7 pm in Allaert Auditorium inside of the Galvin Fine Arts Center, Albee will present a lecture on the state of the theatre and the arts.  This lecture is open to the public and is also free of charge.  On the following day, Albee will host a private workshop for both theatre students and theatre professionals.

Albee’s career spans four-and-a-half decades and his reputation as an influential playwright grows with each passing year.  He is the recipient of three Pulitzer Prizes for A Delicate Balance, Seascape, and Three Tall Women and has also received two Tony Awards for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?  His work continues to be produced around the world—and SAU is no exception.  Sophomore Andrew Harvey, who is directing Albee’s The Zoo Story, could not be more excited that the playwright is visiting Ambrose.  “I feel that Edward Albee’s work is vital and important because it challenges an audience to question accepted social norms and traditions…while his work is sometimes dark, a ray of hope symbolizing the potential for change can be seen,” says Harvey.

Albee’s visit to Ambrose is a great opportunity for students to learn more about the impact of theatre on everyday life from a unique perspective.  We look forward to seeing you at the lecture!

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Sending Off Sheridan

Two years ago when senior Dan Hale (’04) won the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship at the American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) at the University of Northern Iowa and advanced to the final round in Washington, D.C., it was considered likely never to happen again.  Dr. Corinne Johnson said with a grin, “When Hale won, it was like the most miraculous dream come true.  The odds are just stacked so high against a small program like ours.”

Those odds were overcome as this year another SAU student earned his way to the final round in our nation's capital.  Daniel Sheridan, SAU senior, was stunned after the regional final round and heard his name called.  “I felt really good coming out of the final round,” retells Sheridan. “I walked offstage and said to myself, ‘well, that was something to be proud of’ and waited to hear the results.”  About an hour later, not only did Sheridan win the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship, he also won the Classical Acting award for his portrayal of Brutus in a scene from Julius Caesar.  Furthermore, his scene partner Brian Golden (’04 graduate of Washington University in St. Louis) earned the Talent Ventures Incorporated Career Enrichment Award.  It will take Golden to LA for a two-week intensive on performing in film.  “I was startled,” added Golden.  “When they first said my name it was attached to St. Ambrose University and I didn’t realize it was me.  It was a great time to act along side Daniel again and represent Ambrose at the competition.”

In honor of the talent at SAU, a send off celebration for Sheridan will be held on Friday, April 15th at 3:30pm in the Galvin Fine Arts Center.  The event will consist of all six Ambrose nominees and their partners performing their six minute auditions.  Performances will include Ted Stephens (with Trina Gillen,), Matt Erkel (with Claire Richards), Scott Peake (with Sean Pankuch), Marianna Caldwell (with Julie Arensdorf), Rusty Koll (with Andrew Harvey), and Daniel Sheridan (with Brian Golden).  The event should last no longer than forty-five minutes and is free of charge.

“This really is a celebration,” added Johnson. “It’s a great chance to take part in the amazing talent at SAU and give Sheridan the chance to perform his work in front of an audience before going to D.C.”

Where: Galvin Fine Arts Center – Allaert Auditorium

When: Friday, April 15th @ 3:30pm

Tickets:

Free of charge and open to the general public.

WHAT IS THE AMERICAN COLLEGE THEATRE FESTIVAL?

The American College Theatre Festival is an event attended every year by the SAU Theatre Department.  The country is broken up into eight regions, SAU falling in region V (Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas).  Held in a different city each time, the week long event is jam packed with theatre workshops and productions from around the seven states, as scholarship competitions are also held.  This year in St. Louis, the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship competition consisted of over 300 participating students.  Irene Ryan Candidates and their acting partners were to prepare two scenes and a monologue that did not exceed six minutes in total length.  After three rounds, two students and their partners were selected to advance to the final round in Washington, D.C. to compete with the other top 14 college actors from around the country.  During this week in our nation’s capital, students attend master classes with highly esteemed professionals on movement, voice and acting, while also competing in the final round for the National Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. At the end of the week, the competitors have the opportunity to perform in a student written ten-minute-play. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Greatest Awards Night on Earth

The Galvins Awards are quickly approaching and plans are being made.  Don’t forget to save the date of Saturday, May 7th.  The Galvins have been in existence since 1990 and are an evening when anyone who has been involved with the Theatre Department during the current school year gather together and celebrate a great season, reminiscing about times gone by. 

The Galvins will be held on-campus at the Rogalski Center in the third-floor ballroom.  The food will be catered by Sodexho Catering and there will be a salad, entrée, and dessert offered.  There will also be a meatless option for those who would like. 

Invitations will be sent out shortly, so keep an eye on the mailbox.  If you do not receive an invitation and have been involved with the season in any capacity, you are still welcome to attend.  Contact the Theatre Call Board at saucallboard@yahoo.com with any further questions or comments.

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Kim (Kurtenbach) Furness (’96), Trina Gillen (’04), and Junior Jenny Stodd may have all learned about theatre the same way, but they are currently getting to know each other in the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse Production of The King and I.

Furness, who graduated SAU with a degree in Theatre, has been living in Los Angeles, California for the past six years pursuing an acting career.  When Circa producer Denny Hitchcock offered her the role of Anna Leonowens in The King and I, she jumped at the chance.  She is returning to the Circa stage, having previously performed in numerous shows such as Steele Magnolias, Not Now Darling, and Fiddler on the Roof.

Gillen made her Circa debut last spring in Hello, Dolly! and is an ensemble member in The King and I.  Gillen graduated SAU with a degree in English and Theatre and has been living in Dubuque, IA, since last May.  Gillen heard Hitchcock was looking for women to play the king’s wives in the production, and received her role after contacting him.  Gillen also has a role backstage, as the show’s child wrangler to sixteen local children who play the king’s children.

Stodd is also not a stranger to Circa ’21.  She made her debut at age ten in The Sound of Music, and since then has performed in such shows as The Wizard of Oz, State Fair, and Annie.  The King and I director, Dimitri Toscas, previously directed Stodd in the SAU production of H.M.S. Pinafore, and he, along with Hitchcock, offered her the role of Tuptim about a month before rehearsals began. 

These three women are nearly done with the rehearsal process, and seem to have instantly connected as actors.  This is not surprising, however, because they did learn their skills from the same professors.  “It is always a delight to work with other students who have studied with Cory (Johnson), Kris (Eitrheim), and (Michael) Kennedy,” Furness shared.  “I always know we have a common bond and that we are on the same page.”  Stodd says she’s had a wonderful time working with Gillen and Furness.  “The three of us are always early to rehearsal and able to maintain a good work ethic for eight-hour days.  We learned this from our professors.”

The King and I opens April 8th and runs for eight weeks, and although Stodd will be returning for her final year at St. Ambrose, both Furness and Gillen have some big plans ahead.  Furness plans to apply for graduate schools in 2006 to pursue her MFA in Acting.  “I also hope to work as a professional actress in Chicago and area Midwest theatres,” she explained.  Gillen’s plans also involve graduate school.  She is currently enrolled at Loras College in Dubuque, where she is studying to obtain her teaching certificate.  “I won’t be able to teach college until I receive my doctorate, but teaching high school English is a start,” she says. 

The St. Ambrose University Theatre Department congratulates its students, and wishes them to “Break-a-Leg” on opening night!

 

THE KING AND I

April 8 - June 4, 2005

Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse

1828 3rd Ave, Rock Island, IL

**See the “Theatre Around the QCA” Section for specific show days, times, and ticket information.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Free Ticket to a Great Night of Theatre

It's nearing the end of the academic year which signals the annual one-act plays directed by aspiring SAU students.  Each year, Dr. Corinne Johnson teaches directing class that culminates in the final project which requires each student to direct a one-act play that runs between 30-45 minutes.  Each director goes through the process of casting and directing their own play, which will be presented the week of finals in the studio theatre and open to the audience members who arrive at the studio theatre first.  This year the directing class has four directors whose one-acts will be divided between May 8th and 10th.

On May 8th, “WASP” by Steve Martin (directed by Bonito Capiozo, SAU Junior), will be performed, as well as “Zoo Story” by Edward Albee (directed by Andrew Harvey, SAU Sophomore).  In “WASP”, Martin writes about what he sees as the values of a typical White Anglo-Saxon Protestant family.  “Zoo Story” is about a man who strikes up a conversation with a stranger he finds sitting on a park bench. The man eventually forces the stranger into helping him commit an act of violence.

On May 10th, Scott Peake will be directing “Bringing It All Back Home” by Terrence McNally.  Danielle Clark will be directing “Apocalyptic Butterflies” by Wendy McLeod the same night.  “Bringing It All Back Home” is an absurdist play about a family whose son has died in the Vietnam War and the way they react to his death.  “Apocalyptic Butterflies” is about a newly married couple who are starting to get on each others nerves and discover what marriage is truly like.

The casts are as follows:

“WASP” by Steve Martin / directed by Bonito Capiozo

Dad - Matt Mercer

Mom - Marianna Caldwell

Sis - Amanda Bourn

Son - Pat Laffey

Female Voice - Claire Richards

Premier, Choirmaster, Ragina - Allison Costello

 

“Zoo Story” by Edward Albee / directed by Andrew Harvey

Jerry - Ted Stevens III

Peter - Chris Konrady

 

“Bringing It All Back Home” by Terrence McNally / directed by Scott Peake

Son - Sean Tweedale

Daughter - Sarah Foley

Father - Jacob Kendall

Mother - Sue Brandt

Jimmy - Sean Pankuch

Miss Horn - Caciona Reece

Army people/television crew - Jack Kloppenborg and TBA

 

“Apocalyptic Butterflies” by Wendy MacLeod / directed by Danielle Clark

Hank - Jack Kloppenborg

Trudi - Katie Danalewich

Muriel - Sarah Ade

Francine - Jamie Booher

Dick - Larry Weiss

The plays will be presented free of charge to the first people who arrive at the studio theater below the Galvin Mainstage.  The studio only seats 50, so show up early if you want a seat!!!  Both evenings begin promptly at 7 p.m.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Student Joins Educational Tour

The Putnam Museum in Davenport, IA has opened a new touring production entitled “Opening the Doors of Possibility,” a one-act about women’s history.  Junior, Marianna Caldwell recently joined the touring company. 

Caldwell has never performed museum or any type of reenactment theatre before, but this is not a totally unique experience for her.  “It is very close to Reader’s Theatre and other Large Group Speech Theatre,” Caldwell said.  The group travels around the area performing for school groups, mainly grades three through eight.   

The experience has turned out to be both positive and rewarding for Caldwell, “The questions the kids ask at the question and answer session are great. You can tell that the kids were really engaged and enjoying the performance, as well as learning.”

The group will break for the summer and in the fall Caldwell will join the inhouse company that performs educational shows at the Putnam on the weekends.  Freshman Jack Kloppenborg is currently a member of the inhouse troupe.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Senior Salute

Name:  Daniel DP Sheridan

Hometown:  Davenport, IA

Majors/Minors: Theatre Major

Previous Productions at SAU:  Rhythm Ranch (Natchez), Macbeth (Malcolm), The Lonesome West (Valene), Raised in Captivity (Sebastian), “Art” (Yvan), Brighton Beach Memoirs (Stanley), Betrayal (Jerry), and Our Town (George Gibbs).  Director of “Danny and the Deep Blue Sea,” Private Eyes, and Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead.  Asst. Director Death of a Salesman and stage manager for One-Acts (2003 – 2004 season).

Favorite SAU experience? “There has not been a single trip to the American College Theatre Festival that has not been an awesome experience.  It was particularly inspiring to go as a freshman and see the success of Anton in Showbusiness and realizing I was part of an amazing department.”

Favorite role?   “Valene in The Lonesome West.  The studio was a perfect container for McDonagh’s violence and I got to knock around Lou Hare.”

 Latest project?  “Directing Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead.”

Dream job?  “To be the artistic director of my own company, where I can direct and act.”

Favorite Actor/Actress?  “Patrick Stewart – I grew up with him on Star Trek (nerd, I know) and Stewart’s one man Christmas Carol is awe inspiring.”

Favorite quote?  “It’s better to shoot for the moon and miss, than aim for a pile of ____ and hit.” –Mr. Harold C. Keller, former speech coach at Davenport, WHS

Favorite word/phrase?  “Next time.”

Least favorite word/phrase?  “Impossible.”

What will you miss the most about SAU?  “What is great about Ambrose is the Theatre Department is like a small family of artists.  Everyone is so gifted in so many different areas; there are endless opportunities to share and learn.  I’ll miss the daily inspiration from everyone around me.”

#################################################

Theatre’s Not Dying; It’s Living

Do you feel that theatre should be thought-provoking, ground-shaking, and confrontational?  If you answered yes to any of the above, you might be interested in attending The Living Theatre’s production of the original play, “Not In My Name” at noon on Wednesday, April 6th in the Rogalski Center.

 

“Not In My Name” is an interactive protest piece against the death penalty; the piece is performed in public places on days that executions are slated to occur within the United States.

 

The Living Theatre is a New York City-based avant garde company that was founded in 1947 by Judith Malina and Julian Beck.  The company has staged over 80 productions in eight languages in 25 countries across the world.  Its mission, according to the company’s website (www.livingtheatre.org), is “to call into question who we are to each other in the social environment of the theater, to undo the knots that lead to misery, to spread ourselves across the public’s table like platters at a banquet, to set ourselves in motion like a vortex that pulls the spectator into action, to fire the body’s secret engines, to pass through the prism and come out a rainbow, to insist that what happens in the jails matters, to cry ‘Not in my name!’ at the hour of execution, to move from the theater to the street and from the street to the theater.”

 

SAU sophomore Marianna Caldwell will perform in this production; the performance is free and is open to the public.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

THEATRE AROUND THE QCA THIS MONTH

 

Show:     Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

Producer:   St. Ambrose University

Dates: Friday & Saturday April 15 & 16 @ 7:30pm

            Sunday, April 17 @ 3pm

Tickets:  $10 Adults; $9 Faculty/Staff/Alumni/Senior Citizens;

               $8 Students/Children; $7 groups; Free to SAU students w/

               current valid student ID.

               For reservations call (563)333-6251 or see www.sau.edu/galvin

Location:  518 W. Locust St, Davenport, IA in Allaert Auditorium,

                 located in the Galvin Fine Arts Building

      

Show:  The King and I

Producer:  Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse

Dates:  Now through April 2

       Wednesday matinee @ 11:45am (with show-only tickets at 1:00pm),

       Wednesday - Saturday evenings @ 5:45pm (with show-only

        tickets at 7:15pm)

                   Sunday evenings @ 3:45pm (with show-only tickets at 5:15pm)

Tickets:  Tickets range from $22.36 to $39.00 per ticket

                           For reservations call (309) 786-7733 or go to

                www.circa21.com

Location:  1828 3rd Ave, Rock Island, IL 

Note:  Producer and owner Denny Hitchcock is on the SAU Theatre

           Advisory Board,  SAU Alums Kim Kurtenbach-Furness and Trina

           Gillen, and current SAU student Jenny Stodd are part of the cast.

Show:   Macbeth

Producer:   Prenzie Players

Dates:   April 8 & 9, Fri. & Sat., @ 8:00pm

             April 10, Sun, @7:30pm

Tickets:   $8 general admission, $5 students and seniors

Location:  former Marycrest College campus

                 1601 w. 12th St. / Davenport, IA

                 Near the Putnam Museum

Show:   The Dancing Donkey

Producer:   Davenport's Junior Theatre

Dates:   April 16 & 17, Saturday and Sunday, @ 2:00pm & 4:00pm

Tickets:   $6 at the door.

Location:  Mary Fluher-Nighswander Theatre

                 On the campus of the Annie Wittenmyer Complex

                 2822 Eastern Ave / Davenport, IA / 52803

Show:   "Pippi Longstocking"

Producer:   Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse

Dates:   April 18, 19, 21, 26, 28, 28, 29 and May 2, 5, & 7 @ 9:30am.

             April 22-25, 30 and May 3 and 7 @ 12:30pm.

Tickets:   All tickets are $7, no meal is included

Location:  1818 3rd Ave, Rock Island, IL. 

 

Show:   ComedySportz: Quad Cities

Producer:   Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse

Dates:   Every Friday and Saturday night at 7:00pm

Tickets:   $8 prepaid, $10 at the door

Location:  1818 3rd Ave, Rock Island, IL.  Downtown in the District,

                  next to Circa ’21.

Note:  SAU students Andrew Harvey, Daniel Sheridan and Don Abbott

           are ComedySportz players.  Check with them to catch them

           onstage.

Show:  Miss Saigon

Producer:  The Adler Theatre

Dates:  Sunday, April 17 and Monday, April 18 @ 7pm

Tickets: $31.50-$54.00

Location:  Adler Theatre, located on 3rd St. in Downtown Davenport

 

Show:  The Laramie Project

Producer:  Augustana College

Dates:   Wednesday May 4 - Saturday May 7 @ 7:30pm

              Sunday May 8 @ 1:30pm

Tickets:   $8 Students, $12 Adults

                For further information visit, www.augustana.edu

Location:  7th Avenue and 38th St. in Rock Island, IL

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

SAU NEWSLETTER: NEXT EDITION

 

The newsletter is sent out on the first business day of every month.  Next month's issue will be released on Monday, April 4th.

 

The May issue will wrap up the year for the SAU Theatre Department, looking back on all the things that were accomplished in 2005.  There will be a behind the scenes look at the Callboard's preperation for the big awards night, "Galvins," and a look ahead at next year's season on the mainstage.

 

To inquire further about St. Ambrose University and our offered courses, degrees, events, and staff, visit www.SAU.edu for information.  Come check out the SAU Theatre Website at www.sau.edu/theatre.  If interested in learning more about the Theatre Department, please contact theatre chair Kristofer Eitrheim by phone at (563) 333-6255 or e-mail at EitrheimKristoferJ@sau.edu.

 

DO YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE SAU NEWSLETTER MAILING LIST?  If yes, contact us at SAUTheatreNews@Yahoo.com and get their names put on our e-mail list.  If you would like to be removed from the mailing list, please contact us at the same address.  Cheers.