Georgia College Department of Theatre Newsletter July 2014

Newsletter

Free Like Br’er Rabbit

Celebrating Best Department Award

JULY 2014

The theatre department won the GC Department of Excellence Award for 2013-14 and we were presented with a plaque from the provost at a banquet.

I want to thank the tremendously talented faculty and staff for their efforts during this past season.

We are grateful that Frani Geiger (Master of Fine Arts) Theatre Design, Jessica Van Essen (Master of Fine Arts.) Costumes and Core and Natalie King (Master of Fine Arts) Dance joined us this past year, along with Iona and Jimmy Holder.

We look forward to our upcoming 2014-15 season entitled An Anniversary Season in honor of five years in the Campus Black Box Theatre and 125 years of history at Georgia College.

Next year we offer fantastic opportunities for our students! Our fall shows will include one of the most popular plays of all time, Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” to celebrate Shakespeare’s 450th birthday.

We are also looking forward to GC’s Quasquicentennial celebration on Oct. 8, 2014 and our alumni reunion party Feb. 21, 2015. Join us for the reunion and performance of our musical in February in Russell Auditorium! We present “Romeo and Juliet” in the spring.

All Best, Karen Berman, Theatre Chair

OF THEATRE

DEPARTMENT

Dear Parents, Friends, Alumni and Freshmen:

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We take pride in our community outreach. This year, GC Theatre students performed two touring children’s shows “Free Like Br’er Rabbit” and “The Greek Olympiaganza” directed by Iona Holder and presented to 1500 students. They performed in Baldwin County schools, for Early College, on campus, as well as for other counties including Wilkinson County. We even presented at the Wren’s Nest, home of Joel Chandler Harris in Atlanta.

We are also proud to report that Matt Riley received a full scholarship to an Master of Fine Arts. program in costumes at N.Y.U. and Ross Daniel received a full scholarship to an Master of Fine Arts program at Florida State University. in dance. Tyler Voyles got a job teaching for the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas! Hannah Pniewski was accepted for a full semester at the British Academy of Dramatic Arts.

SEASON NEWS GEORGIA COLLEGE THEATRE NEWSLETTER JULY 2014

Death of a Salesman

DR. KAREN BERMAN THEATRE CHAIR/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

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The first show of 2013-2014 was “Death of a Salesman” a story in which two sons question the “American Dream” in this Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play by Arthur Miller. Iona Holder directed. Two students, Tyler Voyles who designed Sound and David Dingess who created an original musical soundscape for the show, won third place nationally in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and Professor Bea Czogalla won an award for Lighting Design. Professor Frani Geiger designed the set.

Student Logan Lorenz was Costume Designer and the play was Stage Managed by Zack Bradford. The Brown Bag featured Professor Stephanie McClure from the department of government and sociology and Professor Doug Monroe from mass communication.

The Laramie Project

Contents Department Chair News Dear Parents/Freshmen/Alum Death of a Salesman The Laramie Project Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Alumni Reunion Party Seminar and Sum of Me [Re]turn Rocky Horror Show Dance Minor Program 24 Hour Plays Guest Artists Senior Capstones Alumni News Graduating Seniors Undergraduate Research Faculty and Staff

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Upcoming Events • For more information: karen.berman@gcsu.edu • Upcoming 2014-2015 Season Brochure will be available in August

Professor Eric Griffis directed “The Laramie Project” by Moises Kaufman and Tectonic Theatre on its 15th Anniversary. Head writer Leigh Fondakowski was in residency and praised the production of this true story that condemns intolerance. Lyssa Hoganson staged managed, Taylor Lancaster did sound editing and Drew Ringham was lighting designer. A brown bag panel was held on the topic of “Diversity” and Fondakowski did a talkback that lasted almost until midnight.

Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Dr. Amy Pinney took audiences on a fantastic journey with the play “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka” this past spring. With Music Director Dr. Wendy Mullen conducting, accompanied by Lev Ryabinin, the show based on the book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” was performed by 39 students including the “chocolate river dancers” choreographed by Natalie King. The costumes were designed by student Kayla Crane with lights by Trey Barnett, props by Sarah Burman, sound by Tyler Voyles, and stage managed by Lindsey Sharpless. Scenic design was by Professor Frani Geiger. At the Brown Bag, Newell Scholar Leon Johnson created chocolate treats with Chef Jonathan Kung in newly crafted ceramic bowls with discussion by Dr. Myron Avila on cocoa beans.

Our Alumni Reunion Party Our new Georgia College Alumni Board held a grand reunion last year which was so much fun that they are planning a new reunion for Feb. 21, 2015. Stay tuned.

LeAnne McLendon Lemmond, ’75, Man Martin, '78 and Ken Garland, '91 along with Iona Holder (’95) brought together alums from as far away as California!

For more info email karen.berman@gcsu.edu.

• Send Alumni news to karen.berman@gcsu.edu

Seminar and Sum of Me

Thank you to photographers Paul Accettura, Michael Crews, and student Evan Wells for the beautiful photos!

Student Will Warren directed “Seminar,” stage managed by Sarah Burman, scenic designed by Kayla Crane, lighting designed by Tyler Voyles, sound designed by Lexi Williams and make-up/hair designed

by Jessica McClure. Student Sarah Prochaska directed “The Sum of Me” by Pillars Prize Winner Catherine Rush, stage managed by John Underwood, scenic designed by Zac Schneider, lighting design by Justin Harrison, costume design by Justin Kalin with sound by Sam Stratton.

[Re]turn

24 Hour Plays

In collaboration with the Shades of Green sustainability conference, guest artist Jimmy Holder premiered his new play “[Re]turn” with GC students performing on campus, Warner Robins Air Force Base and Actor’s Express in Atlanta. A talkback was held at Actor’s Express.

The 24 Hour Plays in collaboration with the Creative Writing Program of the English Department brought six new plays to life! Students wrote and directed 10-minute plays overnight. The show was produced by Iona Holder and Professors Eric Griffis and Amy Pinney.

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Guest Artists

Congratulations to student Director Kayla Carson, Assistant Director Justin Kalin, Choreographer Hayley Koger and Stage Manager Olivia Langford and the cast of GC students for their sixth annual Halloween production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show!” If you missed it this year, the show will remount this Oct. 31, 2014 at midnight!

Our Dance Program Amelia Pelton, director of dance, with Continuing Education, was honored to host the American College Dance Festival on campus and welcomed 550 dancers from across the country!

For the 17th year, Director of Dance Amelia Pelton choreographed the magnificent “The Nutcracker” starring Ross Daniel. Assisted by Dance Instructor Natalie King, the performance played on cable television throughout the Holiday Season and had a sold out run. Pelton also choreographed another 200 dancers in the Spring Community Dance Program. The beautiful Spring Dance Minor Concert featured guest artists from City Gate Dance Theatre from Atlanta. Many of Pelton and King’s students choreographed their own pieces.

Guest Artists this past year included Acting for the Camera coach Brit Whittle, alum and offBroadway performer David Harrell, Iraqi-American playwright/actress Heather Raffo, dialect coach Susan Lynskey, Czech actress Katarina Bohadlova, fight coach Ashley Eckersley and African-American playwright Caleen Sinnette Jennings. Collaborations with the Departments of Art and Modern Languages and Cultures included residencies by performer Jose Torres-Tama and Moliere expert Tim Mooney.

Senior Capstones Students acted as Teaching Assistants for classes this year: Katie Cain for Theatre as Social Change; Ross Daniel for Acting I; Rachel Harwell for the children’s Shakespeare summer camp. Other capstone students included Will Warren and Sarah Prochaska who directed and Anna Fontaine, Hannah Pneiwski, Sasha Schafler, John Underwood, Zac Schneider and Maria Barber who performed. Trey Barnett and Tyler Voyles did Light Design.

Kayla Crane did Costume Design. Madison Junod was a casting director and production assistant.

ALUMNI NEWS Chi Tau Epsilon dance honorary raised $1000 for Children’s Miracle Network at GC Dance Marathon.

Dyana (Niki) Edwards is an associate artist for the Academy Theatre in Atlanta. She is producing a “Round the Clock” play festival, complete with online video updates where she has had the pleasure of working with fellow GC alums Erica Mandato, Steve Holbert, Joe Dumford, Jamie Walsh and Joe Johnson.

Nic Marrone received his M.F.A. in Acting from The New School in New York City.

Sarah Michael is working with the Savannah Stage Company and currently stage managing “Oedipus” and understudying for the show.

Jacob Bailey performed at Blue Jacket, Patchwork Playhouse, Sterling Renaissance Festival and The Hampstead Players. In L.A. he did extra work on “Pirates of the Caribbean” in which he became SAG eligible and an independent film "Slaughter House Massacre" playing the role of Stoner. He is now a nurse, and married with four beautiful children.

Jason Fulton, a Theatre Major at GC in 1997 and 1998, is currently living in Warner Robins with his wife Tracy and two children and is employed by the Defense Logistics Agency.

Jim Bohannon, after several career paths, including in Adult Basic Education and as a GED prep teacher with the Georgia Department of Corrections, is currently pursuing his dream of being a full-time artist, working exclusively in paper mâché. From his Mâché Creations studio, he has sold his work through various shows and galleries and has set up an online shop through Etsy. Jim and his works were featured in the Spring-Summer 2014 issue of Millegeville Living magazine.

David Muschell, former Creative Writing Professor, recently won the $1000 Porter Fleming Literary Competition. He also won the Maxim Mazumdar New Play Award. He had play productions in Buffalo and San Diego and will have forthcoming productions in Seattle and Orlando.

Ken Garland '91, resides in Milledgeville. He has three grown children. Laura (Adam) Stephens, Adam (Kelly) Garland, both of whom live in Asheville, N.C. and Clay who lives in Milledgeville and is currently enrolled as a theatre major at GC. Ken retired from the Georgia Department of Human Resources in 2007 and currently works at the Baldwin County Coroner's Office. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Milledgeville Players community theatre and the Milledgeville Film Festival.

Heather Chapman, formerly Heather Wilson, 2010, got married on Nov. 18, 2012 to Matt Chapman and is expecting their first child this November. She is working full time at Georgia Connections Academy as an 8th Grade social studies teacher.

Leah Keelan is in a performance and dance company in Atlanta called Stella working all over the U.S. and soon internationally as well. Leah also works for Creative Movement and Dance teaching ballet, tap and hip hop to various ages. This summer she will be choreographing Peter Pan and Annie for Atlanta Children’s Theatre. On the side she performs with Peachtree Princess and can be seen working on film sets.

Aijalon (Aj) Hardy recently graduated culinary school and works as a caterer both privately and through a major hotel in Savannah. She still does a little performing on the side with cooking demonstrations, tastings and classes.

Emilie Coons Cook graduated from GC in '96 and owns a small yoga studio in Gainesville, Ga. With husband Larry (head of design and technology at GTA) she has three daughters.

Ruby Werts is a retired elementary teacher. She volunteers with Milledgeville Allied Arts to have a year round theatre teaching program for children and teens. She also volunteers with Milledgeville Players.

Kat Lea is currently living in the mountains of northern El Salvador and working with the Peace Corps in the youth development project. She is using her theatre degree to help implement a drama club in a local school that will travel the region performing skits and one act plays reflecting values such as goal setting, self esteem and healthy relationships as well as themes such as gender equality and AIDS prevention.

Lizzie Spratt is a Production Coordinator for True Entertainment.

Anna Fontaine just completed a lead role in “The Miracle Worker” for the Front Porch Players.

Contact Us

Graduating Seniors

Undergraduate Research

Georgia College Theatre Department Campus Black Box Theatre Campus Box 119 Milledgeville, Ga. 31061

Congratulations to our graduates: Trey Barnett, Keith Bergeron, Katie Cain, Kayla Crane, Ross Daniel, Anna Fontaine, Rachel Harwell, Madison Junod, Hannah Pniewski, Matt Riley, Sasha Schafler, Zac Schneider, Tyler Voyles and Will Warren!

Phone: 478-445-8290 Tina Alvarez

We are so proud of you!

We are proud of the 60 percent of our Theatre and Dance students who were invited to attend undergraduate research conferences including Georgia Thespian Conference, American College Dance Festival, Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Southeastern Theatre Conference and U.S. Institute of Theatre Technology.

Fax: 478-445-5990

Meet our Faculty and Staff!

Email: karen.berman@gcsu.edu Website: gcsu.edu/theatre

Karen Berman Chair

Joshua Johnson Technical Director

Amelia Pelton Director of Dance

Frani Geiger Visiting Assistant Professor

Beate Czogalla Scenography

Iona Holder Guest Director

Eric Griffis Costume Design

Natalie King Dance Instructor

Amy Pinney History and Performance

Jessica Van Essen Costume Shop Supervisor

Facebook: Georgia College Theatre If you would like to support GC Theatre, contact Karen Berman at 478-445-1980

Georgia College is Georgia's designated public liberal arts university, combining the educational experience expected at esteemed private liberal arts colleges with the affordability of public higher education.

Tina Alvarez Coordinator of Office Services Senior Secretary Susan Caro and Madii Davis Box Office Assistants Brooke Jennings Office Assistant Jimmy Holder Webmaster

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Milledgeville, Ga. PERMIT NO. 73

Department of Theatre Campus Black Box Theatre Campus Box 119 Milledgeville, GA 31061

Senior Madison Junod Casts for TV Welcome to Georgia College’s Department of Theatre! Our student Madison Junod, a rising senior, started as a casting intern on the TV show “House of Cards” and in one month became the paid Director of Casting for the show!

Welcome to Georgia College’s Department of Theatre!