Opening Next week: Fringe Fest Erie 2015!
FRINGE FEST ERIE 2015
Produced by Jax KubiakWhat would Gannon University Schuster Theatre be without a Fringe? This year, our 5th annual Fringe Festival is being moved to February, where our theatre program can commit more time, energy, and support to the productions which can be found all over downtown Erie. ***********************************************************************
Gannon Fringe Productions:
"Actors" by Conrad Bromberg. Directed by Audrey Stadler. "Actors" is a one act play in which two actors are getting ready for a rehearsal and speak to one another. Their conversation turns toward the heart of all the differences between them and their experiences. Each learns about the other until the root of humanity shows in both of them. Performances are Feb 2 and 4 at 8pm in Zurn 104.
"A Little Nonsense" by Oliver Hoare. Directed by Lauren Loop and Paula Barrett. "A Little Nonsense" is an original dark comedy that explores the clown inside every man. Frustrated and angered by his Clown's freedom to play and inability to take life seriously, a Man decides to teach his Clown a lesson and beat some sense into him. Mixing powerful drama with genuine hilarity, "A Little Nonsense" plays with the shifting light and dark in all of us and leaves us valuing yet questioning our balance. Performances are Feb 3 and 5 at 8pm in the Schuster Theatre Green Room (620 Sassafras Street - 1st floor).
"GU Talent Show" Production Managed by Brianna Woods. Last year we brought to you the "Faculty, Staff, and Alumni Talent Show". We're back! And this year, we are adding student talent! Come see your professors, staff, alumni, and fellow students show you their hidden talents. Performances are Feb 6 and 7 at 8pm in the Schuster Theatre (620 Sassafras Street - main theatre space on the 2nd floor).
"Like Father, Like Son" By Roman Denisyuk. Directed by Roman Denisyuk and Todd Paropacic. Based on a true story that occurred in Erie, "Like Father, Like Son" is unlike any faith play you have ever seen. Filled with an array of characters, ranging from Irish bakers to a Grand Duchess; it focuses on a young boy, Ronny Greevesman, who must face his past and accept the consequences of his actions. There is a unique style of comedy throughout the show. The play focuses on redemption on many levels, the power of forgiveness, and how important morality and ethics, in other words humanity, is to our survival. Performances are Feb 9 and 11 at 8pm in Palumbo 3205.
"Mainstream" by Conor Grey (Class of 2014). Directed by Leah Johnson. "Mainstream" captures the essence of the elusive hipster. Discover a world of thrifting, local coffee shops, and charitable causes that you've probably never heard of before. Just make sure to leave your mainstream, conformist thinking at the door - this play will challenge your perceptions of art, love, and what it means to be human. Performances are Feb 10 and 12 at 8pm in the Schuster Theatre (620 Sassafras Street - main theatre space on the 2nd floor).
"Bedtime Stories" by Laugh/Riot. "Bedtime stories takes a collection of 3 short scenes from Charles Mee as its start and jumps into seven disparate scenes about relationships. Laugh/Riot's ensemble cast will change characters each night, guaranteeing that each audience will see a completely new show. The shows range from comedic to dramatic, romantic to slapstick, and each scene's tone changes depending on the cast that night. This show is intended for mature audiences and contains adult language, adult situations, and violence. Performances are Feb 16 and 18 at 8pm in the Schuster Theatre (620 Sassafras Street - main theatre space on the 2nd floor).
"The Sketch Comedy Show" by Gannon Students. Director: Michael Fujito. Head Writer: Michael Haas. Artistic Director/Comic Advisor: Zach Flock. What happens when you take 6 Gannon students and have them write a short comedy skits? This show is the result of just that! Entirely made up of sketches written by Gannon students, this show will showcase the different comedy styles of the writers. It will have you laughing in your seats from the scene of a bad baby sitter to a series of water flavored water commercials. Come and laugh with us! Performances are Feb 17 and 19 at 8pm in Palumbo 2005.
"Oedipus Tex" by Bach/Schickele. Directed by Tom Barton. This country-western spin-off of “Oedipus the King” is sure to leave you rolling in the aisles. In the original stage play by the Greek author Sophocles, a beloved King attempts to save his city from a terrible curse by sending his brother-in-law to find the person who murdered the previous king. During this journey, Oedipus conducts his own search of the town, looking for anyone who may have had a hand in the murder of Laius, the former king. He eventually questions a blind prophet, who informs Oedipus that the king himself is the killer. The prophecy bothers Oedipus, who realizes later that not only did he kill Laius, fulfilling the man’s prophecy, but he also had a family with his mother, fulfilling another prophecy by the same prophet many years ago. In disgrace, Oedipus gouges out his eyes and moves out of the city into exile. Now, how will all of this fit into a Western setting? You’ll have to come and see for yourself! Performances are Feb 20 at 8pm and Feb 21 at 2pm in the Schuster Theatre (620 Sassafras Street - main theatre space on the 2nd floor).
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Associated Productions:
Dramashop - Once again our friends at Dramashop will produce an original play in association with Fringe. More information about the play that will be produced will be shared soon. Performances are Feb 2-3 and 10-11 at 8pm. Dramashop is located at 1001 State Street on the 2nd floor of the Renaissance Center. For more information, please visit www.dramashop.org.
All An Act - All An Act Theatre will be producing Agatha Cristie's "Witness for the Prosecution" as an associated production this year. Performances are Feb 13-14 at 7:30pm, Feb 15 at 3pm, Feb 20-21 at 7:30pm, and Feb 22 at 3pm. All An Act is located at 652 West 17th Street. For more information, please visit www.allanact.net
Laugh/Riot - Located in Edinboro, Laugh/Riot joins us for the first time this year. Laugh/Riot will be producing a "New Works Festival" in association with Fringe Fest Erie. Exact details of shows, concepts, plays, etc. can be found on their website. Performances are Feb 20 and 21 at 7:30pm and Feb 22 at 2:30pm. Laugh/Riot is located on the campus of Edinboro University. For more information, please visit www.laughrioterie.com.
Erie Playhouse - The Erie Playhouse will be producing "Songs for a New World" by Jason Robert Brown. The performance will be on Feb 23. Admission is $15 general admission, $5 for students with a Gannon ID. The performance on Feb 24th will be in support of the Alex Clemente Fund for the Performing and Related Arts. There will be a reception at 6pm and a performance at 7pm. Admission on Feb 24th is $20. The Erie Playhouse is located at 13 West 10th Street. For details, reservations, and more information, please visit www.erieplayhouse.org.
PACA - PACA is joining Fringe Fest Erie this year to produce two theatre experiences for Erie audiences. On Feb 12-14, PACA will be performing David Ives' "All In The Timing". Then on Feb 19-21, PACA will be producing an evening of Christopher Durang works, which will include "Desire, Desire, Desire" and "For Whom The Southern Belle Tolls." All performances will be at 8pm. PACA is located at 1505 State Street - 2nd Floor, Erie, PA. For details, reservations, and more information, please visit www.paca.1505.ning.com.
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Admission to all Fringe Fest Erie 2015 productions on the Gannon Campus are $5. Tickets for admission to our associated off campus productions at Dramashop, Erie Playhouse, All An Act, Laugh/Riot, and PACA will be sold at each of those venues.
All proceeds from Fringe Fest Erie 2015 will go to support the Schuster Theatre's trip to Edinburgh, Scotland in 2017 to perform at the International Collegiate Theatre Festival. We thank you for supporting Fringe Fest Erie. If you have any questions about Fringe, please contact Producer, Jax Kubiak at (814) 871-7720 or kubiak004@gannon.edu.GANNON FRINGE PASS - ON SALE NOW!!!!
New to Fringe Fest
Erie 2015, we are selling the Gannon Fringe Pass. This card gains you admission
to all performances on the Gannon University campus. That is 8 different
productions! 16 performances! An $80 value if you went to all 16 performances.
All of this for the cost of $15!!!
To reserve and pay
for your Gannon Fringe Pass, please email Jax Kubiak, Fringe Fest Erie
Producer, at kubiak004@gannon.edu. Gannon Fringe Passes will go on sale today
(January 21st) at noon and sell until Feb 13th or until they are sold out.
There is a limited quantity of 40 Gannon Fringe Passes to be sold. They will be
sold on a first come first served basis. Reserve yours today!
PLEASE NOTE: The
Gannon Fringe Pass does not grant you admission to off campus associated
productions at Dramashop, Erie Playhouse, All An Act, PACA, or Laugh/Riot. For
tickets to off campus associated productions, please contact the producing
theatres at their websites listed below:
Dramashop - www.dramashop.org
Erie Playhouse - www.erieplayhouse.org
All An Act Theatre Productions - www.allanact.net
Laugh/Riot Performing Arts Company - www.laughrioterie.com
PACA - www.paca1505.com
Looking for more information about Fringe Fest Erie?
Read the preview article on GoErie.com.
Learn all about Fringe Fest Erie 2015 - the shows involved, how Fringe Fest Erie came to be, and more! Listen to Edge Radio and Michael Haas' interview with Fringe Fest Erie Producer, Jax Kubiak.
Read the preview article in The Gannon Knight about our students involved in Fringe Fest Erie 2015.
Thank you to everyone who came to see Striking 12!
By Brendan Milburn, Valerie Vigoda, and Rachel Sheinkin
Directed by Fr. Shawn Clerkin
Read the review on goerie.com.
Read the review in The Gannon Knight.
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF RICK KLEIN PHOTOGRAPHY.
Striking 12 Promotional video courtesy of Sean Morphy.
Fall Break 2014:
American Shakespeare Center's
Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, VA
Dr. Doug King (Professor in the English Department), Rev. Shawn Clerkin (Director of Theatre), and Jax Kubiak (Technical Director of the Schuster Theatre) took 10 students to Staunton, VA over Fall Break to experience workshops, lectures, and attend 4 performances at the American Shakespeare Center's Blackfriars Playhouse. Students attended 2 lectures, 3 workshops, and saw performances of The Comedy of Errors, Pericles Prince of Tyre, MacBeth, and Edward II. Students also had time to explore and experience the culture of lovely Staunton, VA, including a morning hike led by Dr. King. Some pictures of the experience are below. All photos are courtesy of Zak Westfall, Theatre and Communications Arts major.
A look at the Blackfriars Playhouse.
The Fall Break 2014 group on the stage of the Blackfriars Playhouse.
Hiking with Dr. King in Staunton VA.
Some of the group met ASC cast members Gregory Phelps and Sara Hymes. Thank you Gregory and Sara for taking a photo with our group.
Joe Orton's "Loot" performed at the Schuster theatre from October 2-12. To view archive photos of this production, please visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/schustertheatre.
Please visit goerie.com to read more about this wonderful production.
Gannon University's Schuster Theatre returns from participating in the 2014 International Collegiate Theatre Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland!
10 Gannon University students and 3 faculty recently returned from a 12 day trip to Edinburgh, Scotland to participate and perform in the International Collegiate Theatre Festival, which runs concurrently and in coordination with the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the largest arts festival in the world and takes place every August for three weeks in Scotland's capital city. As participants in the 2014 ICTF, Gannon students performed Stephen Williams' "Whimsical Grimm" at Surgeons Hall on four different occasions. You can read the review of the production on Broadway Baby by clicking here.
The cast and crew of Whimsical Grimm. From L to R - Todd Paropacic, Abby Coppock, Zak Westfall, Cristen Manion, Brianna Woods, Khadija Djellouli, Luis Pontillo, Mary Stephens, Ethan Kelley, and Mike Fujito.
Gannon University was well represented at the College Recruitment Fair held for the American High School Theatre Festival. High school students had the opportunity to speak with Fr. Shawn Clerkin, Director of Theatre, as well as with current students Khadija Djellouli and Abby Coppock.
Many thanks to everyone who helped us raise funds and donated to help our students attend and participate in this international experience!
Video clips courtesy of Fr. Shawn Clerkin, Director of Theatre and Jax Kubiak, Technical Director, will be posted soon.