October 27, 2014
Newsletter
Fall 2014
Shakespeare Behind Bars
Productions:
Urinetown
Michelle will be taking a group of students to visit the Shakespeare Music by Mark Hollmann, Lyrics by Hollmann and Greg Kotis
Behind Bars Program in Muskegon on Tues Dec 9. Shakespeare
Book by Greg Kotis
Behind Bars is a program founded by Curt L. Tofteland. ShakeDirected by Richard Perez
speare Behind Bars offers theatrical encounters with personal
November 18-22, 7:30 p.m.
and social issues to incarcerated and post-incarcerated adults and
November 21, 8:00 p.m.
juveniles, allowing them to develop life skills that will ensure their November 22, 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m,
successful reintegration into society.
You can find out more about the program at shakespearebehindbars.org
The group will leave campus at 11:45am and return at approximately 4:45pm If you would like to attend, please contact Michelle by Wed, Oct 29 for additional information at bombe@
hope.edu.
National Theatre’s
FRANKENSTEIN
The National Theatre’s production of Frankenstein, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller, will be showing at Celebration Cinema Grand Rapids North TONIGHT, Monday October 27 at 7:00pm (Original Casting) and Wednesday, October 29 at
7:00pm (Reverse Casting).
Frankenstein features Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller
alternating roles as Dr. Victor Frankenstein and his creation. The
production was a sell-out hit at the National Theatre in 2011, and
the broadcast has since become an international sensation, experienced by almost half a million people in cinemas around the world
to date. Tickets are available at celebrationcinema.com.
Reagan will be attending the sceening TONIGHT and has a couple
free seats in her van. If you’d like to tag along, contact Reagan
before 5pm at chesnut@hope.edu. You are responsible for getting
your own ticket.
Upcoming
Dates:
30
October
Pre-registration meeting
for first year students interested in theatre, 11-12pm, Studio
Theatre.
1
November
KCACTF National Playwright program deadline for
submission.
18-20
Urinetown, 7:30pm,
DeWitt Main Theatre
21
Urinetown, 8:00pm, DeWitt Main Theatre
22
Urinetown, 2:00pm &
7:30pm, DeWitt Main Theatre
23
The Hinterlands Ensemble workshop, time TBD, Studio Theatre
24
Spring Semester Auditions, 3-5pm, 7-10pm Main
Theatre
Senior Seminar:
The Drama of Christianity
Led by Dr. David S. Cunningham, Professor of Religion, his seminar focuses on the theory and
practice of the theatrical arts as a means of exploring theological themes. Its title, “The Drama of
Christianity,” is designed to point us in two directions: first, that the Christian faith and worldview
may itself be understood in dramatic terms, as analogous to a play in performance; and second,
that certain features of drama — such as the interrelationships among author, actor, and director,
or the relationship between the performance and the audience — that can usefully illuminate key
elements of the Christian faith. This two-way conversation, between Christianity and the theatre,
will provide a context within which students can discuss their faiths, their philosophies, and their
engagement with both secular and sacred accounts of the meaning of life. We will read the work
of drama theorists and theologians such as Peter Brook, Constantin Stanislavski, Shannon CraigoSnell, and Hans Urs von Balthasar, as well as writers for (and about) the theater who work in many
modes, ranging from Shakespeare and Mozart to Edward Albee, Caryl Churchill, and Tony Kush-
Stage Managers and Assistant Stage Managers
Needed
If you are interested in participating in one of this fall’s productions as a stage manager or an
assistant stage manager, please contact Michelle Bombe at bombe@hope.edu. The stage management team plays a vital role in the running of rehearsals and productions and have the opportunity to experience all aspects of the production process.
Stage Managers: Must have taken THEA 250: Stage Mangement and ASMed at least one production.
Assistant Stage Managers: No prior experience is required.
Grand Rapids City High School
Seeks Director
In this coming year, the Speech and Debate program at Grand Rapids City HS would like to provide a theatrical experience for their students. Two years of highly successful musicals at the school
have demonstrated a desire for theatre in the student body. The stage production would complement these activities (as well as the competitive Forensics program). To provide this opportunity
they are looking for an outside resource (faculty, staff, advanced/graduate student) to help with the
direction and staging. This is a first year, “beta” project, part of a longer-term initiative to embed
speech, debate and the performing arts as an established part of the extracurricular programming
at the school. They anticipate being able to offer a stipend, conditional on present grant requests.
For more information, Contact: William Harris wmrharris@sbcglobal.net or Visit: Talk Talk Talk
(cityhighforensics.wordpress.com).
Kennedy Center
American College Theatre Festival
Sign-up Now Open!
The sign-up sheet for KCACTF is now online at https://docs.google.com/a/hope.edu/forms/d/1POj
tvFLRgkLEyV5zzCNjbnZSodrtODbRhGLpVObRrEs/viewform?usp=send_form
Students that would like to attend the festival will pay for the registration and hotel costs - the department will pay for the transportation.
Total Amount Due: $240 Deposit of $100 Due on November 14
Supported activity* - Students participating in Irene Ryans as a partner or nominee, in design exhibits, Stage management, or playwriting (with accepted plays at the festival) will receive support
from the department to attend KCACTF Regional Festival
*Supported Activity Total Amount Due: $140 Deposit of $70 Due on November 14
Remaining funds are due before leaving for Christmas Break or through arrangements with Reagan before departure for festival.
Deposit is NON-Returnable.
Why should I go?
See theatre, plays performed by other college students-
Go to workshops- in every area of theatre
Hear from guest artists about their career journey
Hear a talk from a leading playwright
Watch the Irene Ryan Acting auditions and get ideas for monologues
Go to the design exhibit and see creative work from other college students.
Go to see new play festival
Bond with your classmates
Because it is fun!
See next page for ways to participate!
Have something you would like to share? Please send an email by Thursday afternoon for inclusion in the Monday newsletter to Reagan Chesnut at
chesnut@hope.edu
How Can I participate?
Participation that requires nomination-
Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship- selected from realized productions
SDC National Student Directing Fellowship Award- must be nominated by faculty member- materials due December 2 For advanced student only- students prepare scenes that will get feedback from responders.
New Play Dramaturgy- student must have faculty nomination
Open Participation
Devised Project- Organize a group to present a devised piece that you have created based on the national prompt- “Sometimes it’s easier to hear when we whisper”- 20 minute time limit. Limited amount of slots- registration closes when time slots are filled
Devised Project- register in advance to participate in a devised project created at festival- registration closes when slots are filled
Audition for 10 Minute Play Festival- No advance registration- will occur on Wed of festival
Playwriting Program- deadline of November 1 to submit 10 minute plays, One Acts, or Full length plays
Design Storm- registration due by November 15- work with a team of directors , dramaturgs and designers to create a vision for a production while at festival
Institute for Theatrical Journalism and Advocacy- must send email to request participation by November 24 You will participate in workshops at the festival and See all of the invited productions and write a review of each production of 500-600 words.
Dramaturgy- Students who worked on a production or a class dramaturgy project. Must turn materials in by December 10
Design Projects- Any student can present design work from a list of approved scripts. Deadline to apply- November 15
Undergraduate Theatre Scholar - Research Papers on all areas of the art and craft of Theatre are welcome- can be class project or students own research area- deadline to submit – December 20
Open Jar Scholarship Audition - Registration Due by December 10
Directing for the 10 minute play festival- - students must send in a resume , statement of directing philosophy and goals and two letters of recommendation by November 18
Participation based on production work
Program Note Award- apply by December 10 and submit program note
Design and Technology Awards- for realized student design work. Register by November 15
Stage Management Fellowship- for students who have stage managed a realized production in 2014. Application, resume, and letter of support from director due by November 15
Allied Design and Technology Award- Deadline for entry- November 15 .Open to students who have completed major design or technology projects in areas including (but not limited to) makeup, projection, properties, millinery, masks, tech, wigs, scenic art, draping, tailoring, technical direction, puppets, special effects, costume craft, audio engineering, etc. on a play produced in 2014