OCTOBER, 2026
ROCKFORD UNIVERSITY PERFORMING
ARTS
https://www.rockford.edu/academics/ departments/performingarts/ PerformingArts@Rockfrod.edu
NEWSLETTER What’s Happening This Month?
September 24th-27th and October 1st-3rd The Tempest at RVC Starlight Theatre directed by Professor Mogford October 1st-3rd Orchesis: Reclaiming Hope Through Dance 7:30 in Maddox Theatre October 5th Directing Scene Presentation 5:00-7:00 in Maddox Theatre October 11th Chicago Shakespeare Theatre PFMA: Play On! October 12th-13th Fall Break October 16th Voice Recital 4:00 in Maddox Theatre October 17th Senior Seminar Presentation 7:00 in Maddox Theatre October 23rd Stevie Rimke Workshop October 23rd The Goodman Theatre PFMA: Dead Girl’s Quinceañera
Fall Semester in Full Swing
OCTOBER, 2026
COMING UP THIS SEMESTER ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD In his first successful play, Stoppard tells the tale of two hapless university students who are on their way to Elsinore at the invitation of the King and Queen of Denmark. Neither Guildenstern nor Rosencrantz know why they have been summoned but who are they to question a King. Also, they look forward to seeing their classmate, Hamlet. As they approach the castle, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern meet a group of disreputable players touring the countryside looking for work. Yes, this is the story of Hamlet told through the eyes of two minor and inept characters. They are so busy trying to rationalize life they fail to comprehend the events unfolding around them. The result is a comedy of misunderstanding and total confusion until the very end.
NATIVE GARDENS Coming up next for Artists’ Ensemble, the equity theatre in residence at Rockford University’s Cheek Theatre, is Native Gardens written by Karen Zacarías. High-powered attorney and doctoral candidate, Pablo, and his very pregnant wife, Talia, get a piece of the American Dream when they purchase their first home next door to Frank and Virginia, pillars of the community. But a disagreement over a long-standing fence line soon spirals into an all-out war of taste, class, privilege, and entitlement. This hilarious culture clash guarantees that, in these gardens, no one comes out smelling like a rose. Shows will be November 5th- 22nd and will feature RU alumni Kahla Conley!
Curtain Call!
Keeping up with Our Alumni We want to hear from our Alumni and spotlight you with current projects that you are working on or have booked. Keep us up to date so we can celebrate with you and shout you out for all of your talent! Please fill out the form from the QR code or click this link.
THIS SEASON RUPA PRESENTS
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OCTOBER, 2026
JANE ADDAMS DAY OF SERVICE HIGHLIGHT Held each year in honor of alumna Jane Addams, the day of service seeks to recognize the university’s commitment to community and remember the rich legacy Addams left behind. The day of service is organized each year by Rockford University’s Jane Addams Center for Civic Engagement. While Rockford University Students, Faculty, and Staff were volunteering across 25 different community cites, the Rockford University Performing Arts department was lending a hand at the West Side Show Room Theatre. Using the skills and knowledge fostered by the design/tech curriculum all performing arts majors are exposed to, students helped to achieve the production demands of Nat Turner In Jerusalem before its opening weekend of performances. Some of the jobs completed by RUPA students and faculty included painting/building the set, hanging lights and curtains, and finishing important set dressing and props.
Beyond the Jane Addams day of service, the relationship between WSSR, the University, and the Rockford community as a whole is a deep and significant one. West Side Show Room is a Public Access theatre, meaning all tickets are reserved only on a donation basis, helping to eliminate barriers to participation in theatre. Focused on new works that challenge us, The West Side Show Room is a perfect taste of Chicago storefront theatre right here in Rockford. Like Nat Turner In Jerusalem, which is written by Rockford native Nathan Allen Davis, The West Side Show Room amplifies the creative voice of Rockfordians while exposing audiences to provoking works which inspire new ways of thinking. By volunteering with this organization, students were not only able to lend their theatrical know how for a good cause, but they also were able to experience first hand working with the kinds of theatres they will likely encounter in their professional careers
OCTOBER, 2026
Curtain Call! -Alumni Spotlight Bryce Panzella, BFA MT Class of 2019 Performing on the Maddox stage since 11 years old, Bryce has always felt most at home under the lights at Rockford University. At the beginning of this semester, Rockford University students had the pleasure of talking with Bryce about his life since graduating Rockford University while Bryce enjoyed the nostalgia of visiting his alma mater. In their conversation, Bryce told RUPA about his performance jobs around the country and eventually the world! Bryce has worked at theme parks in Lancaster, PA (Dutch Wonderland), Branson, MO (Dolly Parton’s Stampede), Kansas City, MO (Worlds of Fun), and Cincinnati, OH (Kings Island). Later he would go on to work with Grayboy Entertainment, a production agency based out of Gold Coast, Queensland in Australia. Working on the Carnival Adventure with their shows for 6 months, he is now rehearsing at Carnival Studios to join another Carnival ship. With each of these contracts there have always little challenges to face to learn, grow, and adapt with. Some examples being learning to ride horses from the ground up at Dolly’s Stampede, or being cast in a show that has a different style of vocals/choreography than Bryce is most familiar with. Whatever the job, whatever the demands, Bryce finds joy in finding and honing the new skill that will enable his success. In order to find this success, Bryce encouraged students to “always put yourself out there.” He told them, jobs come with connections. The more people you know and audition for, the better. And surrounding yourself with people who have similar goals is so important. He reminded them to “never take a rejection personally!” Jobs are about both you and them finding the right fit for what they are looking for. Don’t stress about what you can’t control.
OCTOBER, 2026
EPIC 80's CABARET PHOTO HIGHLIGHT
OCTOBER, 2026
PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS FROM LAST MONTH