Coming Soon: WHIMSICAL GRIMM by Stephen Williams
This production is our 2014 International Collegiate Theatre Festival (ICTF) Entry - to be performed in Edinburgh, Scotland in August 2014.
Directed by Rev. Shawn Clerkin
Scenic and Puppet Design by Jax Kubiak
Stage Managers - Bryan Rhines (USA) and Abby Coppock (UK)
Featuring:
Brianna Woods - Narrator/Gnome Puppet
Cristen Manion - Narrator/Gnome Puppet
Todd Paropacic - Rupert
Khadija Djellouli - Gretel
Luis Pontillo - Frederick
Natalie Pertz - Katelizabeth
Mary Stephens - Puppeteer/April May Juniper
Ethan Kelley - Puppeteer/Randolph
Mike Fujito - Puppeteer/Dog
Director Rev. Shawn Clerkin took a few minutes from his day to speak with us about this upcoming production:
SCHUSTER THEATRE: What is "Whimsical Grimm"?
REV. CLERKIN: Two of the Brothers Grimm's "Domestic Tales" - not necessarily fairy tales but still fantastical stories set in a rural environment.
SCHUSTER THEATRE: Why was this show selected for the Schuster Theatre season?
REV. CLERKIN: It presents us with a family-friendly show that not only fits our season experiences, but also fits our hope to provide a family-oriented Fringe show to take to Scotland.
SCHUSTER THEATRE: What is ICTF?
REV. CLERKIN: THE INTERNATIONAL COLLEGIATE THEATRE FESTIVAL!!! First held in 2011 (and Gannon University's Schuster Theatre was one of a handful of schools invited to participate), ICTF is a gathering of college and university theatre artists from across the US and Canada who join the thousands of performing artists at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland's capital city during August. With more than 20,000 performers and 100,000 patrons, it is easily the largest multi-disciplinary arts festival of its kind.
SCHUSTER THEATRE: What exciting details can you tell us about the upcoming production?
REV. CLERKIN: "Whimsical Grimm" has outrageous characters, ridiculous situations, puppets, and laughter.
SCHUSTER THEATRE: Is this your first time working on a fairytale based show?
REV. CLERKIN: Heck no! I directed "Into The Woods a few years back, and had my first professional acting experience in Richmond's THEATRE IV production of "The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse" - played the hip/cool Scat Mouse in the jazz club in the big city!
SCHUSTER THEATRE: Is this simply a children's theatre show?
REV. CLERKIN: Grimm's tales may have an appeal to children by virtue of their characters, but they are much more complicated in their meaning and plots. These two tales in particular, "Clever Gretel" and "Fred & Kate," while appropriate for all ages, definitely have some very pointed messages about expectations in relationships for the adults in the audience.
SCHUSTER THEATRE: Is there anything else you would like to add and tell people about this production?
REV. CLERKIN: I am very thankful that Paula Barrett has this gem of a script in her trunk - it has been great communicating with the author and developing this performance for both the Erie and the Fringe audiences!
Mark your calendars now! Whimsical Grimm runs Dec 5-7 and Dec 12-14 @ 8pm and Dec 8 @ 2pm. Don't miss this entertaining and family-friendly show!
Thank you to all who came to audition for THE MELANCHOLY PLAY by Sarah Ruhl
From director, Alaina Manchester:
"Thank you so much for braving the dismal weather this past weekend to audition. I know every audition comes with a follow-up email that says something like, 'Great job....could have cast it so many ways...hard decision...' BUT OH MY GOODNESS, I had an ABSOLUTELY tough time casting! There was some great auditioning and risk-taking and bravery that I saw this past weekend. You all really rocked it and I hope you are proud. It could have been successfully cast many different ways and I would love to have cast you all in this Melancholy Commedia Troupe!"
Cast List:
Tilly - Brianna Woods
Frances - Natalie Pertz
Joan - Lauren Loop
Julia(n) - Leah Johnson on violin
Frank - Zak Westfall
Lorenzo - Michael Haas
Male Understudy - Tom Barton
Female Understudy - Maggie Cooney
Thank you to everyone who came to Alpha Psi Omega's presentation of THE 24 HOUR SHOW
The Schuster Theatre was full of excited audience members on Saturday November 2nd to see the newly conceived, written, rehearsed, and produced 24 HOUR SHOW. Many thanks to all of the members of Alpha Psi Omega's Kappa Beta Cast! Their hours of tireless work to produce this show. All proceeds from The 24 Hour Show went to support our students in their trip to participate in the 2014 International Collegiate Theatre Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. Thank you APO!
24 Hour Show - writing and late night read thru
24 Hour Show - Tech and orchestra rehearsals
24 Hour Show - final rehearsals
Thank you to everyone who supported the show! ~From the Cast and Crew
