Goals

            My usual MO for the summer is to plot really ridiculous plans; not because I think they’ll actually work out, but because they’re fun to imagine (i.e. The Hot Air Balloon experiment of last summer… not even close to enough funds to consider actually trying to build my own hot air balloon, but I learned a lot and had fun planning and designing, so it was ok).

            This summer, I’m still going to do those kinds of things, but with the addition of setting some actual realistic and achievable goals. Here’s what I’ve got as of the last day of school:

1. Learn to cartwheel (figured this one out about a week ago, thanks Kelsey Rispin)
2. Learn to juggle (I mean I can sort of juggle but it’s sloppy and bad-looking)
3. Learn to ride my bike without holding on to the handlebars
4. Bust out my the unicycle my mom got in college from the basement, pump up the tire, and learn to ride it
5. Learn more monolugues so I have more to fall back on
6. Worry less
7. YouTube all of the shows happening next year so I have a really good idea of what’s going on, whether I’m on the stage or behind it
8. If I’m feeling ambitious (and haven’t killed myself yet with the first two cycling escapades), learn to juggle and ride the unicycle at the same time – because that’d just be cool

I think that’s all. If I think of more later I will add them and I’ll be sure to post more later how things are progressing (especially in regards to the unicycle because I imagine that’s going to result in some really amusing stories).

Have a good summer everybody!

Home?

Hello everyone!

Well, it’s June.  The summer season has started.  And with that, many of us are working various jobs to afford the things we want.  For me, the thing I want the most is the ability to go back to school without taking out immense loan monies.  So here’s my summer work schedule:

• Working at Alto Cucinas- a high class restaurant in Erie
• Assistant Administrative Director for the Erie Playhouse Youtheatre camp
• Low Brass instructor/Marching instructor for my old HS marching band
• Various jobs around my home town
• Music instructor for Ted Sharon’s Playground summer theatre program
• Assistant director for a children’s show in Erie.

Along with all my work, I have some things to be working on for next semester already:

• I was selected to be the director for PAC’s production of Company.  Time to start conceptualizing.
• I will be working with Eliza Meunch on publicity next semester.

• Find audition pieces for Kiss Me, Kate, Electra, Fuddy Meers (which I cannot be cast in due to Company), and Charlotte’s Web (same situation as Fuddy Meers).

Within this busy schedule, I’m also having a hard time readjusting to being home.  This past year, Fredonia has become my home and in the last semester especially I became very close with my roommate, my class, and my faculty.  It’s a truly wonderful feeling to be able to knock on the door of one of my professor’s with a question and end up having a full conversation with them.  I also miss being able to walk down the hallway to hang out with my friends.

This brings me to question where home is for me.  It’s said that “Home is where your heart is.”  Well, where is home if you aren’t entirely sure?  I have my mother and sister here in McKean who I love dearly.  But my sister will be moving to Iowa to start her new life as a doctor of osteopathic medicine in a few days.  At Fredonia, I have the friends who have become my family.  In McKean, I have a house where I’ve lived for 20 years.  In Fredonia, there is always a couch or bed in some dorm or house that I can stay.  I know that when I graduate, I will not be returning to Erie.  I’m not sure where I’ll go yet, but it won’t be here.  I also know I won’t be staying at Fredonia.

I’m, therefore, forced to say that “home” lies with those you care about.  And for me, that “home” is scattered across the eastern coast.  I suppose this is how the seniors will feel for quite some time.  But it’s certainly hard to swallow right now.

But until August, I will have to make the best of my time here.  So, I’ll just chin up and work, waiting for my time to get back.  I hope the rest of you are all having a lovely summer.  I’ll check back with some news about my camp in the month to come.

KAB

Graduation 2009

We have a tradition at SUNY Fredonia TADA where the graduating seniors sign the wall in the sound corridor just inside the stage door. Right after yesterday’s ceremony, the 2009 graduates gathered on the loading dock and proceeded to take pictures and sign the wall. Here’s a video of part of the festivities. Congratulations graduates, and good luck!

The Graduating Class of 2009 Department of Theatre and Dance

A Love Letter to Fredonia

   There are two days until graduation and then I will be finished with my time at Fredonia State. I know this blog is meant for students interested in the theatre and dance department at FSU, so I’d like to give my final summation of what I’ve learned from/about Fredonia in my four years here.

   Fredonia is, by far, the most supportive and loving environment I could ever imagine. I will not say that every student, every day is filled to the brim with sunshine, buttercups and rainbows. But, on a whole, we all really want to see each other succeed not only in our educational process but out in the real world as well. I think there is an overwhelming dedication to the ideals of making something with substance and not merely spectacle. While I doubt any of us would turn down a Broadway show, our primary goal is become contributors to our society as beautiful people creating interesting works of art. That state of mind keeps the competitive energy to a minimum and enthusiasm in full force.

   I cannot say enough about my professors. The dedication to their students is overwhelming. In different ways, each one has invested so much time, energy and hope into my success. They’ve been my best role models, teachers, critics and friends. Their ambition is contagious and their intelligence is inspiring. I have learned that the more you rely on your professors, the more they will rely on you. If you spend time with them, you will find a wealth of knowledge waiting for you. They will happily share.

Although a bit frigid in the winters, at the first moment of sunshine the campus is teeming with life. Music can be heard everywhere you go. Literally. The students at FSU really strive to make this town an enriching community. It may be small, but you will never EVER be bored. There is a constant stream of sporting events, art shows, concerts, film previews, club meetings, rallies and game nights. If you open your eyes, there are a myriad opportunities at every door.

As leave here, I am very confident of the person I have become. Fredonia has equipped me with skills to not only be a great performer, but a great human being. I am excited to start my new adventure outside of these comfortable walls. I will ALWAYS look back on my time spent here with the greatest fondness and love.

On Monday night, some of the students from the  junior and senior BFA classes had our final slumber party/bonding expirience of the year. Someone asked the group “What is best decision you have made in your life?” It was unanimous among 18 students. It was coming to Fredonia. In doing so we found each other and found an abundance of love.

My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep. The more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite.

-Amy

This is what we are.

It is the last day of Finals week, barriers have been completed, and the campus is slowly dying down as the minutes before graduation diminish. It is strange, mostly. The idea of saying “farewell” is bizaare to me. I realize that although things will never be as they are in this moment- the relationships, the way we look, the way we behave- it is all inconsequential. This world of the performing arts is so small. The fact is our paths are bound to cross again. Be it at an audition in Manhattan or being cast in a T.V. show or touring company. I don’t believe that the Seniors leaving now… I don’t believe this is the last I will see of them. They are my friends, colleagues, and peers. There is a bond there. I can’t quite explain what it is to be in this position. The pictures capture us as we are now- a frozen moment of time with those we care about. Will I miss my friends? Of course. But it’s not over. Not even close. I still have two years ahead of me to continue to grow, improve, and break new ground. Watching the Seniors from the time I have come here until now has proven this to be true, leaving me with only more to look forward to.

Arrivederci, mi amici! In bocca da lupo! Buon viaggio!

Good bye, my friends! In the mouth of the wolf (metaphorical statement of ”good luck”)! Good journey!

P.S.- I am assistant directing La Boheme in the Fall, under Tom Loughlin. I am looking forward to this endeavor, possibly opening up another door. More on that as my research for it continues throughout the Summer.

The 2009-2010 Season

In saying goodbye to the 2008-09 season, the Department of Theatre and Dance is pleased to announce our 2009-10 season. We have on tap for you the following shows:

• Charlotte’s Web – This classic tale of “some pig” will open our season in October in the Marvel Theatre. Directed by Prof. Ted Sharon, this family-friendly show will have something for everyone.
• Fuddy Mears – An offbeat comedy in which a woman who wakes up every day not knowing who she is gets caught up in the wild machinations of six eccentric characters. Directed by Dr. Jessica Hillman, this show will be in the Bartlett Theatre in late November.
• The Fredonia Dance Ensemble – The FDE will once again take the Marvel stage in early March with a variety of dance styles and newly choreographed pieces from our dance faculty.
• Sophocle’s Electra – Dr. Jim Ivey will direct this tragic Greek tale of Electra and her brother Orestes as they seek revenge for the murder of their father Agamemnon. Using the translation from the 1998 Broadway production by Frank McGuinness, the play will be presented in the Bartlett Theatre in mid-March
• Kiss Me, Kate! – This season’s spring musical features the wild goings-on backstage and onstage as Fred Graham/Petruchio pursues his ex-wife Lilli Vanessi/Kate during an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. With music by Cole Porter, and featuring such tunes as “So In Love,” “Why Can’t You Behave,” and “Brush Up Your Shakespeare,” this production, under the direction of Prof. Paul Mockovak, will take the Marvel Stage in late April.
• La Bohéme – A co-production of the School of Music and the Department of Theatre and Dance, this Puccini favorite of starving artists in 1840s Paris and their love affairs will be on the Marvel stage in mid-November. Stage direction will be by Prof. Tom Loughlin, and the orchestra will be under the baton of Dr. David Rudge.

We certainly hope you’ll return next year to join us for all these favorites and get behind-the-scene peeks into the action by reading our blog. Until August!

The Party’s Over

Sophomores at the APO Semi-Formal (photo courtesy Jen Lefsyk)

Well, not quite. Sure, there was the annual Alpha Psi Omega semi-formal and the annual PACnic this past weekend, but there are still finals to take, and graduation is coming up this Saturday for our departing seniors. As the days dwindle down to a precious few, we thought we’d give our readers some idea of what our graduating seniors will be moving on to, and what some of our returning students will be up to in the summer. You can read the complete list following the break by clicking on the “Read More” link.

We’ll have one more post featuring our upcoming 2009-10 Walter Gloor Mainstage Season, but we will also be winding down this blog for the summer. We will not be totally inactive over the summer, but no doubt the postings will dwindle down to a few here and there. Perhaps we will catch up with some of our students as they work over the summer and get their reactions to their work. If you’re interested in auditioning for our program next year, do stay tuned for our audition dates for the 2009-10 audition season. Those will be revealed in late August as the academic year begins.

And thanks for reading this blog! We at the Department of Theatre and Dance wish you a productive and pleasant summer, and we look forward to bringing you all the action from our 2009-10 academic year.

Students enjoying the PACnic (photo courtesy Cynthia Hannon)

La Commedia

The Commedia dell’Arte Class, taught by Dr. Jim Ivey, is in the middle of preparing canovacci (improvised scenes) for their final performance exam.  Thanks to the
cooperative spring weather the class has been able to rehearse outside.  The
following video (graciously shot by Professor Tom Loughlin) captures some of
the groups presenting traditional commedia characters such as Dottore,
Pantalone, Zanni, Capitano, Arlecchino and Columbina.  The class has also
created original comic characters that they are incorporating into
improvised canovacci as well.  A canovacci is the Italian term for a basic
storyline around which the performers build their prepared improvisation.
The performers in the video can be observed creating lazzi (physical
business) in both the traditional and modern forms.

The class will present their final performance on Thursday, May 14 at 5:45
pm in the outdoor amphitheatre on the campus of SUNY Fredonia.  In case of
inclement weather the performance will be moved to the Bartlett Theatre.

Alumnus Sheds Light on “A Chorus Line”

One of our lighting alumi, Jim Pritchard, was interviewed in the Buffalo News about the lighting design for A Chorus Line now currently on stage at Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo. The original design was by the late Tharon Musser, one of Broadway’s most well-known designers. Click the link above to see what Jim had to say.

A Chorus Line at Shea's Buffalo

Awards Night

The tradition in the Department of Theatre and Dance is that the closing night of the final show of the year is our annual Awards Night. The department gives out several awards, many of them accompanied by cash awards or tuition remission, to honor student accomplishments throughout the year. On May 2, the closing night for Romeo and Juliet, the department once again presented its awards to our outstanding students. Below is a picture of the winners taken after the ceremony. Congratulations to them all!

The 2009 Department Award winners in the Marvel Theatre Lobby

Front Row l-r: Amy Van Deusen, Jessi St. George, Danielle Pelcher, Jessica Bertollo, Julie Shelton, John Crampton
Middle Row l-r: Mike Valvo, Kate Mulberry, Vince Oddo, Colin Chauche, Kate Stack, Joe Tolle.
Back Row l-r: Brian Moe, Kyle Blount, Rick Haug, Ron Grimshaw, Mark Reeve, Owen Hughes.
Not pictured: Sarah Flanagan, Ashley Arnone, Joe Corallo

Awards Given:

1929 Graduate Fund for Excellence in Dance – Joe Corallo
Alice Bartlett Award for Excellence in Theatre – Kyle Blount
Bea Ullman Award for Excellence in Theatre Arts – Colin Chauche and Michael Valvo
Carol Blanchard Design Award – Ashley Arnone
Carol Prevet Award for Dance – John Crampton
Theatre and Dance Award for Stage Management – Julie Shelton
The Gary Eckhart Award for Design – Richard Haug
Harry John Brown & Paul Mockovac Award in Musical Theatre – Brian Moe and Amy Van Deusen
New York State Home Bureau/Sally Bulger Award – Sarah Flanagan
Howard E. Marsh Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre – Kate Mulberry
Jack Cogdill Award – Amy Van Deusen
John S. Mintun Award for Excellence in Performance – Mark Reeve
Jurgen Banse-Fay – Joe Tolle
Keith Cronin Memorial Award – Kate Stack
Mary and Steve Rees Rising Junior Award – Jessica Bertollo
Myers BFA Dance Award for New Majors – Amanda Kellner
President’s Award for Excellence in Theatre – Vince Oddo
Tamara Malueg Award – Jessica St George
Theatre Arts Outstanding Senior – Ron Grimshaw
Trent Illig Memorial Award for Dance – Danielle Pelcher  and Owen Hughes