DramaCentre

2010-08-20T10:15:00.000-04:00

Greetings from DramaCentre.

We are very excited to have everyone heading back into our midst in the coming days and I thought I'd take an opportunity to bring you up to date on some happenings and other information you might find helpful as you start the school year.

1. Productions: We have three mainstage productions this year.
The Ugly One, by Marius Meyerhoff for Family Weekend.
This has been cast and goes into rehearsal on Sunday, but there are still some opportunities to get involved on running crews, constructions crews, publicity, etc. If you're interested, please let me know.

Arcadia, by Tom Stoppard Directed by Tony Haigh Goes up the first weekend in November. Auditions are at the beginning of the 2nd week of classes. Look for more information forthcoming.

The spring play is an adaptation of the children's book The Giver Directed by Patrick Kagan-Moore. This show goes up in April. More details to follow on that as well.

2. Dates, Meetings, etc.

CentrePlayers mtg. Friday, Sept. 3rd at 4:20 in Grant 502 THE pace to be to meet the drama folk. (students, faculty, staff, friends, families, dogs, etc) and learn about what's coming in the year.

CentrePlayers work day Saturday, Sept. 4th Generally cleaning up our spaces (prop storage, costume storage, shops, etc.) for the year to come.

CentrePlayers Pic-i-nic Sunday, Sept 5th We go to a lake nearby and swim, boat, eat, hang out, have fun. NOT to be missed.

3. KTA (THE KENTUCKY THEATRE ASSOCIATION) Festival will be held at Centre this year during the week of our fall production of Arcadia. We are serving as hosts so this will be a BIG deal in our world that week. We'll be looking for an all-hands-on-deck effort from everyone to really put our best foot forward for our guests. Again, more details to come.

We are really looking forward to the year and getting down to work. See you soon!

-Matthew

2009-05-03T12:33:00.000-04:00

Brazilian theater director Augusto Boal dies

Sat May 2, 7:51 pm ET

RIO DE JANEIRO – Augusto Boal, the Brazilian theater director and playwright known for the interactive genre called the "Theater of the Oppressed," died Saturday. He was 78.

Boal died of respiratory failure following a long battle with leukemia, according to Elisa Nunes, a spokeswoman for Rio's Hospital Samaritano.

Boal, who studied theater arts at New York City's Columbia University, created Theater of the Oppressed in the early 1960s as a way to establish a dialogue between audience, playwright, director and actors that encouraged political activism.

Seen as a threat to the dictatorship that ruled Brazil between 1964 and 1985, Boal was arrested, jailed and tortured before being exiled to Argentina.

He returned to Brazil after the fall of the military regime.

2009-04-27T10:07:00.003-04:00

2009- 2010 Season:

Family Weekend (Sept. 30th - Oct. 3rd)

Master Harold and the Boys by Athol Fugard

Cast: 3 men (2 African American, 1 Caucasian)

Directed by Jane Dewey

Auditions: 4:15, Friday, May 9th and 12:00 noon Saturday, May 10th (or by appointment with the director.)

Fall Show (Nov 18th - 21st)

Anton in Show Business by Jane Martin

Cast: 7 women

Directed by Tony Haigh

Auditions TBA

Spring (April 14th - 17th)

A Midsummer's Night Dream by William Shakespeare

Cast: LOTS

Directed by Patrick Kagan-Moore

Auditions TBA

2008-12-15T09:48:00.003-05:00

Holiday Poll.

Favorite Holiday TV special and why.

Have a merry!

(I said Whoa!)

2008-12-11T09:23:00.002-05:00

End of the term, as we know it!

Everyone on Tony's English Regional Theatre trip - Have a great time!

Don't be afraid of Hull.

Enjoy Stratford, it really is one of those places that is connected to all of us.

See shows - see shows - see shows. As many as you can.

Give in to the Panto. You are powerless to stop it.

Look out for wayward sheep.

Enjoy your rooms in Manchester - the family that runs the B&B is lovely.

Also - more information soon on the NYC trip. I can tell you as of now we're looking at about $2k per person.

This was a very fine Fall Term. Picasso..., ...Earnest, Directing scenes galore. Seriously - nice work, everyone.

So - we'll see you after the holidays, or if you are abroad in the Spring - we'll see you next fall.

Happiest of holidays to you and yours.

-Matthew

2008-11-29T07:16:00.004-05:00

Thanksgiving. A time to reflect on those things that you value. A time to contemplate the gifts presented to you by others, by your own efforts, by whatever creator you honor. And as important - a time to give voice to that gratitude. We make a public declaration: "I am thankful for__________". I think I find this to be the most powerful part of the "ceremony" of Thanksgiving.

So this year: I am thankful for friends, family, and the blessedly blurred line between the two. I am thankful for our country. For new beginnings. For a sense of hope. (and not just the Obama-kind).

I am thankful for the people I make theatre with. I am truly blessed to have such generous and dedicated partners in the cause.

What about you? Care to share YOUR Thanksgivings with us?

2008-10-07T14:29:00.003-04:00

Summer!!! (Remember summer?)

Please respond / post with what (theatrical or related) you did last summer. We're collecting this information for a departmental report, but it would be fun to lay it out for all to see as well.

So - I'll start:

I designed the scenery for The Merry Wives of Windsor at Equus Run's Shakespeare Festival in Midway, KY., directed by and featuring our very own Tony Haigh. Mary Whitehurst ('10) was my design assistant.

You next!

2008-09-21T15:38:00.004-04:00

The Blank Slate:

Picasso... has come and gone.

We played to a fine set of audiences (Sold out Friday night!)

Not bad for 4 weeks work, eh?

What are your thoughts?

2008-09-19T17:01:00.002-04:00

Picasso at the Lapin Agile!!!!

2008-09-17T11:48:00.002-04:00

Picasso... Opens Tonight!!!!

Come see!

8:00 pm tonight and Thursday

7:30 pm Friday (Parents Weekend Show)

5:00 Saturday

2008-09-10T06:14:00.001-04:00

Tech Week Push!!!

Stop in and help!!!!

Scene Shop

Costume Shop

Lighting Grid

Come on, folks. Let's get this thing done!

2008-09-06T08:33:00.001-04:00

Today!

Centre Players Clean-up day: 10 - 2

Tomorrow!

Pic-i-nic: 12 - 4 (Meet behind the Norton Center at 11:45 for the caravan to the lake)

2008-09-03T11:03:00.003-04:00

Work Calls for Picasso:

(These times are also on the DramaCentre Calendar - Link on the right)

Today (Wednesday)

12:30 - 4:30 pm

7:30 - 9:30 pm

Tomorrow (Thursday)

10:00 - 11:30 am

12:30 - 4:00 pm

7:30 - 9:30 pm

Friday

12:30 - 4:00 pm

See you there! (In the shop, that is.)

Experience helpful but not necessary.

-M

2008-09-01T11:10:00.003-04:00

1st Day of School!!!!

Everybody have their lunchboxes? New school shoes? Shelves for your lockers?

Reminder:

Expo - Thursday

CentrePlayers - Friday @ 4:15

Clean-up / Work day - Saturday 10 - 2

Pic-i-nic - Sunday @ 12:00

Auditions for Earnest - Monday and Tuesday

Then breathe.......

Welcome back!

-M

2008-08-20T19:42:00.004-04:00

Okay - So here we go with Picasso at the Lapin Agile.

The cast returns this weekend and we hit the ground running on Sunday with a pretty full day of rehearsals with a nice dinner at the "Dew-Lock's" at the break.

If you're coming back for work on the play, remember to stop by the house: 134 St. Mildred's (across from Rhodes House) after 12:00 noon on Sunday to get your key.

You will also need to go to the housing office to fill out paperwork on monday morning, but we've put that in your schedule so no worries.

If you are not involved, and wish to be, just let me know when you get back or shoot me an email.

See you all soon.

-MRH

2008-08-18T11:14:00.000-04:00

Oh - the website has been updated as well. Enjoy!

2008-08-18T09:52:00.002-04:00

Beginning of the year update:

Well, perhaps the most significant thing is that the entire Drama faculty is back on-campus, off sabbaticals and ready to get to work (sort of).
Tony returns to us after a year of professional acting and directing and some glorious travel. Ask him.

Additionally, we have a new member of the Drama Family, J. Theresa Bush (She just goes by Theresa) our new Graduate Assistant in the Costume Shop. She will be starting right away with pretty much gutting the shop and starting over, with a serious cleaning out of stock not far behind. She will be in the Shop most days, so stop in and introduce yourselves and lend a hand.

Other news: There is a new Calendar for the season. the link is to the right hand side of this page. It will automatically update as things get added to it. Please email me if you have something to be posted (black box readings, auditions, etc.)

I have heard about one student production in the Black Box (Cameron? You out there?) but "more is more". Surely we can do better than that.

We have made a change in the administration of the program that you should be aware of: Patrick will now serve as Academic Chair and I will serve as Production Manager. So if you have questions about departmental stuff (classes, etc.) see PKM, I you have production issues (crew assignments, budgets, etc.) see me. We'll be learning as we go where the real divisions are, but this should make things run a little more efficiently.

So - welcome back (or almost-back as the case may be).

Reply with what you've done over the summer, theatrical or otherwise and stop in and see us when you get back to campus.
-MRH

2008-08-18T08:54:00.002-04:00

New DramaCentre online calendar:

See the link to your right.

2007-10-05T10:45:00.000-04:00

It's been a little while so how about a pointless poll?

Why do you deserve Fall Break more than the average overworked, overcommitted, stressed out, can't-because-I-have-rehearsal Centre student?

2007-09-19T09:19:00.000-04:00

Carpentry call schedule!
All calls are 6:30 - 9:00 pm unless otherwise noted.
Today! - Wednesday, Sept. 19th
Sept. 20th
Sept. 21st

Sept. 24th
Sept. 26th
Sept. 27th

Oct. 1st
Oct. 4th
Oct. 5th Saturday, Oct. 6th from 12:00 - 4:00

Oct. 8th

Oct. 15th
Oct. 17th
Oct. 18th

Oct. 24th
Oct. 25th
Saturday, Oct. 27th from 1:00 - 5:00

Oct. 29th

Beyond that we'll have to wait and see where we are.

If you wish to work on the set at other times, see Will in the shop for details.

Thanks again to all those that said they were interested in helping out.
Remember, no experience necessary!

-MRH

2007-09-12T06:46:00.000-04:00

Open thread.....

So, the fine folk from Cambridge have come and gone.

What are your impressions of the experience?

2007-09-07T12:35:00.000-04:00

Production Staff for STILL. GOING FORWARD BACKWARD

Thanks again to all who said they wished to be involved!

Please send an email to Matthew stating your willingness to do the job assigned to you - or if you have any questions.

Meet the team!

Props:
Props Designer – Nikki Cammack
run crew chief - Dan Burkey
Elizabeth Thompson
Emma Follansbee
Kevin Green
Allison Robbins

Lighting:
Lighting Designer - Talia Harris
Master Electrician: Shannon Bailey
Emily Rodriguez
Meredith Bell

House Management:
David Winningham

Stage Management
Stage Manager - Katie Pfohl
ASM - Lauren Young
ASM - Vivian Richmond
ASM - Drew Davidson

Publicity:
Kelly Bell

Scenery
Scenic Designer – Matthew Hallock
Assistant to the Designer – Kristen Robinson

• Carpentry:
Master Carpenter - Mark Hayes
DRA 150 class
Brendan O'Bryan
Hunter Burkey

• Scenic Painting:
Lydia Curtz
David Winningham
Kate Hein
Angela Herde
Chelsea Apple
Pavan Podapoti
Jasmin Kaeser

Costumes:
Costume Designer - Gretchen Hines-Ward
Emily Deanne
Arielle Knudsen
Chelsea Douglas
Abby Jurewicz

Sound:
Sound Designer - Adam Haigh
Sound Operator - Emily Gallt

2007-08-28T17:02:00.000-04:00

Cambridge University American Shakespeare Tour (C.A.S.T.) will be here on Saturday, Sept. 8th to begin a three-day residency. In that time they'll be performing "Winter's Tale". 7:00 p.m. Sunday and 8:00 p.m. Monday.

There are some opportunities for folk:
I need a couple of lighting techicians that can help on Sunday with the addition of some specials to the standard plot in Weis.

We also need to house these folks - 16 British Theatre Students (8m / 8f). Any takers? They're used to floors.

And, naturally, we need to go see the show. Again, 7:00 Sunday and 8:00 Monday.

email me at hallock@centre.edu if you wish to help.

See you at the CentrePlayers meeting on Friday!

2007-08-26T09:10:00.000-04:00

Sunday morning.

Tomorrow we begin a new year. That makes this a "New Year's Eve" of sorts.

So - RESOLUTIONS!

What do you want to do differently this year than you did last year?

(And no points for "better time management". I don't know anyone that doesn't need to do that better.)

See you tomorrow.

2007-08-22T10:59:00.000-04:00

Dear heavens! New students (and you know who you are) arrive tomorrow!

Well, welcome back to some and welcome to all.

By way of introduction - this is the DramaCentre Blog. A site for information, conversation and with any luck, a little inspiration.

First things first - this years' dates:

Aug. 31st (Friday) - 4:15 pm - 1st CentrePlayers Mtg. in Grant 502
- Introduction of faculty and staff
- announcements regrading dates of auditions, etc.
- opportunities to work off-campus / special programs, etc.
- a chance to see new and old faces.

Sept. 1st (Sat.) - 10:00 am - DramaCentre clean-up day.
- It's time to get our spaces ready for the year. Scene Shop, Black box, Props, costumes, light loft, paint room etc. Bring your work clothes

Sept. 2nd - 12:30 pm - Drama Pic-i-nic
- Out at the lake (directions available - if you need a ride - show up at the back parking lot of the Norton Center around 12:00)
- Food, fun and Water - Bring your swimsuits.

Sept. 3rd - 4th
- Auditions for Still, Going Forward Backward

That should do it for now - remember, spread the word about this blog. Check it often. The more it is used, the more useful it will be. Post, make coments, start a conversation, pick a (respectful) fight.

...and welcome back.

2007-05-31T16:53:00.000-04:00

Greetings, all. As I return from sabbatical, so does the DramaBlog!

So where is everyone this summer?

Post and tell us about your Summer theatre or other summer endeavors.

2006-12-16T06:42:00.000-05:00

Happy holidays to all!!!

Favorite holiday movie?????

Santa Clause III?

The 34th remake of The Miracle on 34th Street?

A very Merry Christmas, Happy Chanuka, Happy Kwaza - but most of all - have a wonderful time visitng with your families and friends and we will see you all in the new year.

All the best,
Matthew

2006-11-23T07:56:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Here's hoping you are eating well, with people you love and are finding a few moments peace (even if it is from a tryptofan-induced coma). Watch football, do laundry, visit with old friends and family and try to get some downtime before the last push toward Christmas. Enjoy!

So - Turkey poll:
What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? Theatrical or otherwise....

See you in a few days.

2006-11-20T14:23:00.000-05:00

The Website has been UPDATED!!!!! HOORAY!

Just click on the link to the right and enjoy!

Everyone have a great break and we'll see you all (or at least most of you) in the Black Box next week for the directing scenes (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights).

gobble, gobble....

2006-11-14T11:44:00.000-05:00

Congrats to the entire Antigone company! Lovely show.

Also - Congrats to David Brown, Adam Brown and Karen Biscopink - they have been passed on from KTA screening auditions and will audition at SETC this spring. Good luck, you three!!!!

So - a poll:

Do you think we need a curtain speech at our performances to address the cel-phone, laptop, text messaging issues we have all experienced?

Should we? (Pros / cons?)

Who should do it?

What should be said?

Any input welcome, but I challenge you all to not post anonymously. Truly there's no need. We want to know who you are.....

Enjoy.

2006-11-06T18:45:00.001-05:00

Well, it hasn't quite been a month but I do apologize for the delay in new posts.

First and foremost - ANTIGONE opens tomorrow and runs through this Saturday (Thursday we are dark due to the Norton Center concert.)

By all accounts things have gone smoothly and we look forward to it. "Break a leg" to the whole company.

Strike will be Saturday night so show up to help - whether you were involved or not. "Many hands..." as they say.

Next post will be about the idea of a creativity initiative on campus as a potential part of the strategic plan. Stay tuned.

oh, and Yes, Tyshawn, we will get back to the question of the musical.

For now - Everyone see Antigone, and if you get a chance, say thank you to Jeff and Martha while bidding them a fond adieu. We are so fortunate to bring such fine artist/friends into our world.

Have a great opening night!

2006-10-16T11:11:00.000-04:00

Pointless poll:

Actors - What role would most like to play and why?

Also - a reminder to get on your KTA Screening auditions. You can approach anyone on the faculty for help. Sooner is better. More is better.

And the deadline is NOV 1st!!! (Not yesterday as I saw in a panicked email) I have this from the highest authority.

See Tony or Patrick for exact details.

Back to the poll - what role would you like to play? And forget "gender". If Charlotte Cushman and Sarah Bernhardt can play Hamlet, the sky's the limit!

-enjoy

-MRH

2006-10-09T08:03:00.000-04:00

Hey Centre Players,

This weekend I took a trip up to Actors Theatre of Louisville to see “Dracula” and “Gem of the Ocean” as a part of the Actors Ambassadors Program.

“Dracula,” an adaptation of Braham Stoker’s novel, was just fun. There was some great stage magic and the physical control of the actors was impressive. The audience was literally jumping out of their seats in fear and it was not at all a bad use of two hours. However, while “Dracula” was fun, I have to say I preferred “Gem of the Ocean,” a play by August Wilson. Everyone do yourself a favor and go see this show. It’s beautifully crafted and acted; certainly the best work I’ve seen since studying in London, and no, I’m not just saying this because I’m supposed to for my job. Also, forget the synopsis I read you from off the website, it doesn’t do the play justice. This play is at its heart, a story, set in the period after the American Civil War, which examines the true meaning of freedom and humanity. If you miss this show you are missing out.

Now I mentioned at the Centre Players meeting last Friday that I would be able to get us discounted tickets to shows of our choice. The coupons are worth a 15% discount on normal prices. Alternatively, there is the possibility of student rush tickets (cheap but not guaranteed seats). However, while I was at Actors, I ran into Ian Frank (a Centre alum and current employee of ATL) who assured me that “Centre needs to be here!” and that if we get a group together we can use our connections to get some free tickets. Anyone interested? You should be. I’ve sent an email to Ian, but it would be best if everyone started looking at their calendars to figure out what dates are going to be best. Check the performance schedule out here: http://www.actorstheatre.org/

So what do you think? Sound like fun?

- david brown

2006-10-02T17:11:00.000-04:00

Trestle...
Thanks to all who helped make it happen.

Any thoughts? Reflections?

2006-09-26T16:35:00.000-04:00

The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek

As Family Weekend approaches, so does the opening night of The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek. Fortunately, I was able to meet with a few of the actors from Trestle and ask them a few questions about the show.
Firstly, Trestle... was written by Naomi Wallace and is about Pace Creagan and Dalton Chance. “Pace is a very beautiful person,” says Irene Palmer, the actress who plays Pace. “But she’s extremely fractured. She is driven, passionate, hurt and a little rough with people.” Throughout the play, she is trying to show Dalton just how incorrect his views of what is important are. “He’s defensive,” JohnBen Lacy, who plays Dalton, tells me, “he wants to think his ideas are right, but they aren’t.” The story follows Pace and Dalton through their adventures in an American town that is hit hard by the Depression. It also focuses on the relationship between Pace and Dalton.
When asked what it was like to act in this play, JohnBen immediately responded “very challenging; definitely the most challenging role I have ever had.” Irene responded with similar comments calling it “draining.” “I get to dive off a 9 foot tall platform,” Irene continued, “It should be fun.”
Trestle... opens August 27 and runs through September 30. “Trestle... is beautifully written, interesting, and intriguing,” Stan Campbell told me. (Stan, the director the Grace Doherty Library, plays Dray, Dalton's father.) Irene agreed and also added that the play “had good language.” JohnBen admits “I really like it. It’s odd, interesting and I appreciate it the more I study it.” Trestle... promises to be thought provoking and unforgettable.
“I hope the audience feels some kind of emotional connection…something that tugs at them,” Stan told me when asked what he hopes the audience will get out of the performance. “I want the audience to realize that we need touch, and love and witness,” JohnBen said. Irene said, “The audience needs to realize that life changes are not bad because they change us. You just have to be in the right frame of mind to accept all of the changes. I hope they like it and feel connected.”

This play also features Will Johnston (Centre College ’04) and Adjunct Instructor Jane Dewey.

The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek runs Wednesday and Thursday of this week at 8:00 p.m., Friday at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in Weisiger Theatre.

For more information or tickets call the Norton Box Office at (859)236-4692.

*Due to adult thematic content, this play is recommended for mature audiences*

By Lauren Young

2006-09-22T11:05:00.000-04:00

Okay - so here we are on the doorstep of Tech Weekend.

Got any Tech weekend-Horror stories?

I was 22, working at the Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, WI as the TD. I was serving as the board programmer for the show and the LD was dictating all the cues to me over headset from the house. At the end of the cueing day he says "Great work, thank you. Please record the show on disc."

So I proceed to do so only I hit READ FROM DISC instead of RECORD TO DISC which basically erases 15 hours of work.

Needless to say, I was contrite and embarassed. The designer was understandably upset but after a brief tirade we got down to it and re-cued the show in two blistering hours of programming.

What about you?

2006-09-21T08:03:00.000-04:00

Morning thoughts about musicals...

Wicked - as Catherine says, the rights will probably not be available.

She Loves Me is a lovely jewel box of a show. If you aren't familiar with it find a copy and give it a listen. Great character songs, charming story.

I'm ashamed to say I don't really know Secret Garden. We thought about it when we eventually decided upon A Little Night Music back in 2000.

Godspell, hmmm...

The cast is 8 or 9, no? Other than the obvious advantages of "rocking" Tyshawn's "face off" and the extreme personal pleasure anonymous at 11:02 experienced, tell me more ...

Bat Boy is something I have been hearing as well. It sort of occupies the same environment as Little Shop..., aesthetically speaking (rock score, pop-culture commentary, deeply ironic, etc.).

We will have a thread soon on the suggested lack of "respect for our theatre department" - but lets hold off on that for now.

Have a good day and keep the suggestions coming...

2006-09-20T07:31:00.000-04:00

By popular demand....

Next year we are scheduled to do our quadrennial musical.

What should we do?

Things to think about:
Cast size
Musical complexity (Sondheim!!!!?)
Dance demands

Let the fun begin.

2006-09-14T08:38:00.000-04:00

SUMMER THEATRE

Okay all you drama-nistas, let us know where you have worked and when. Berkshire? Mill Mountain? Williamstown? Stagedoor Manor?

How was it?
Best Part?
Worst Part?

Use the comment field to post a response...

2006-09-13T08:54:00.000-04:00

With all credit to Lauren Young - the REAL Trestle at Pope Lick Creek!

Meet you on the other side.

2006-09-13T08:49:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Drama Program blog.

Look here for:
• information on auditions

• links to information about productions

• photos

• whatever else we discover we can use this thing for....

Give us your feedback. Let us know what YOU think should be up here.

2006-09-06T22:58:00.000-04:00

FALL SEASON

The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek
by Naomi Wallace

Directed by Patrick Kagan-Moore

August 27th – 30th, 2006

Cast List

Character - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Performer
Pace Creagan - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Irene Palmer
Dalton Chance - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - JohnBen Lacy
Gin Chance - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Jane Dewey
Dray Chance - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Stan Campbell
Chas Weaver - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Will Johnston

TAPE
by Stephen Belber

Directed by Adam Brown

October 5th - 7th, 2006

Cast List

To Be Announced...

Antigone

Directed by Vessela Warner

November 8th – 11th, 2006

Cast List

To Be Announced...