Sept Oct 2025 Vessel Magazine

Table of Contents 3

Writers

4

All the World’s a Stage

6

Fall Fest

8

USF Movie Night

9

Splash into a New Year

Editors

Andrew Frohwein

10 Culture for Service 12 Faculty Art Exhibition 13 Campus Cookout Emma Edwards

14 Key to the City

Cover Photo taken by Clayton Cooper. USF students volunteering to help Premiere Playhouse move and construct set pieces for their production of Noises Off.

Writers

Kylee Miller

Toby Knutson

Faithanne Rukavina

Tori Schroeder

Mauloa Wells

Photographers

3 Sydney McKee

Clayton Cooper

All the World’s a Stage

By Kylee Miller

4

All the World’s a Stage… A Shakespearean Jukebox Musical was written by Toby Knutson and directed by Mitchel Groote.

Seniors Groote and Knutson put on the musical for the public October 9 through 11 at 7 p.m. at the University of Sioux Falls. The musical was part of their theater degree.

Knutson wrote the script for the musical and Groote directed and wrote the music. This tag team has put in countless hours casting the roles, running rehearsals, and finally putting on a show during the fall semester.

The show took place in the Jones Black Box Theater and it was open not only for the university students but also for the public.

The inspiration for this show came about when Knutson was chatting it up with a few of his friends after a Shakespeare class with University of Sioux Falls English Professor Dr. Kevin Cole. They were discussing what song Hamlet and Ophelia would sing if they did musical theater. From there he took that idea and ran with it. He started writing toward the end of his sophomore year and finally finished it the summer before his senior year.

Knutson said, ”I just wanted it to be a fun show, not a thought-provoking show, just one where people could watch it and have some fun and to forget about the worries of their life and get lost in the world of theater for a little under an hour.”

He tied the crowd in by picking relatable songs the crowd would recognize and get excited about. He did parodies for each of the songs and with help from his co-writer Groote they rewrote the songs with their own lyrics. He also added an in-person band at the live performance instead of an audio track.

The songs included “Gosh, I Hate Shakespeare” based on the original song “God, I Hate Shakespeare”, “Dead Dad” based on the song “Dead Mom”, “Shakespeare Tango” based on “Cell Block Tango” and many more. Knutson worked to make sure each song related well with the characters in the musical by discussing with others and really thinking about what would make the most sense but still relate to his audience.

Photo taken by Kylee Miller Actor in photo is Faithanne Rukavina during the song “Shakespeare Tango”

Photo by Madeline Fremarek Top: L to R- Hunter Reimer, Ben Fletcher, Toby Knutson Bottom: L to R- Gaby Axtman, Regan Malley, Chad Kolden, Faithanne Rukavina, Kyla Schwager

Taking Shakespeare and bringing it into a more modern light did not come easy. Knutson focused more on Shakespeare characters that were less known by the people. There was no Romeo, Juliet or Hamlet but rather Ben Jonson, William Shakespeare, and John Webster. As for casting for these specific roles, Knutson and Groote were looking for very specific people. They wanted someone who could fill the absurd role, be accountable, and someone they could trust to make the role the best that it could be.

Chad Kolden, a senior at University of Sioux Falls, auditioned because, “Mitchel and Toby are two of my closest friends that I met, ironically, in Introduction to Theatre. I just knew that they would be great to work with, and it would have been an honor for me to work alongside such amazing talent.” He was cast into the musical as Billy Pierce who was based on William Shakespeare. Kolden really took on his role and learned a lot. “This may sound a little cliché, but this show taught me that theatre can be FUN! My role in this show allowed me to just be myself in a safe environment. We live in a world where everyone is going through something different.

This show teaches me that the theater can also be a place where we can leave behind our problems and cultivate positive emotions through the gift of laughter,” Kolden said, which was exactly what Knutson hoped for with his audience.

Kolden also talked about how important it was to work with his friends. “Mitchel and Toby are dear friends and classmates that I have known for over three years. Just having the opportunity to help them with this project is a huge honor in and of itself. Having a part to play in making this show everything that they would have hoped for has been my number one goal throughout this whole process. I thank God every day that I have the privilege of knowing these two people.

I wasn’t just helping with a performance; I was supporting people I believe in. I have no doubt these people are going to do great things in the future. I’m just happy I had a small part to play in their future success.”

“It feels like yesterday I was a freshman going through all the ideas for my senior show and now I’m here and we just wrapped up the show and it felt a little weird,” Knutson said. Knutson was very happy with the way things turned out and can not believe it is over. From the memories, castmates, to all the work becoming a reality, it all ended up being exactly what Knutson and Groote had hoped for in their senior show.

Photo Taken By Kylee Miller in picture is Chad Kolden and Toby Knutson during the song "Gosh, I hate Shakespeare".

Fall Fest By: Faithanne Rukavina

6

Fall is finally here!

Fall Fest!

On the Jeschke patio, USF Fall Fest, presented by Student Life, offered a bouquet-making station, apple nachos, bean bag toss, and the opportunity to buy the “Key to the City” shirts for Homecoming. With the leaves on the trees already changing, this October 2nd afternoon was the perfect way to celebrate the new season.

Students gathered to enjoy crisp autumn air, laughter with friends, and all things cozy. An awesome opportunity to catch up with friends as the music filled the air and set the mood for a laid-back afternoon. Students created their own floral arrangements and tested their aim at yard games.

Everyone found something to love about Fall Fest, a reminder that campus is at its best when community and celebration come together.

USF

Movie Night

By: Tori Schroeder

8

September 17, 2025 the students of USF got together for fellowship and laughs! They gathered in Big Z at 8:30 p.m. to eat pizza, drink soda, and watch a movie. To decide which movie they would watch, students voted on a poll between 5 categories: Disney, Horror, Comedy, Romance, and Action.

When the evening arrived, comedy was the winner.

The movie that was picked was Free Guy starring Ryan Reynolds. Students settled in to watch the movie with their pizza and snacks and were certainly in for a laugh. Free Guy has a lot of comedic moments, some pretty cool action, and even a little bit of romance.

Free Guy got very positive reviews from the students.

“I thought it was great, it was a really fun time. I’m glad I came...the snacks were very delicious. I loved

the pizza and the baja blast was very good.” said Sam McConnell.

The Cougar Activities organizers said it was a fun evening. “I honestly loved it. I have heard of Free Guy, I’ve watched it before and as soon as we decided to choose Free Guy, I knew it was going to be a hit, and people were going to like it. We got some laughs throughout the movie so that was good!” said Courtney Holsteen. Cameen McFarquhar said, “I thought it was pretty good...I’m glad we were able to find a good movie for everyone to watch, it was really fun. Definitely got the little romance in there which I liked and enjoyed!” .

Splash into a New Year By: Toby Knutson USF theater students dove into the new school year with a poolside theater kickoff. It wasn’t your typical back-to-school meeting. Between the cannonballs, hot dogs, and plenty of laughs, students got the chance to hang out, welcome newcomers, and talk about the season ahead. The laid-back setting made it the perfect way to mix summer vibes with the excitement of a fresh start for a new academic year. This year’s kickoff was hosted at the home of the Paulsens, a family who has been part of the USF theater community for years and who generously opened their backyard pool for the third year in a row.

Sydni Mauldin, a senior Communication Studies and Theater major, and Student Theater Advisory Board (STAB) President, talked about what she enjoys most about the theater kickoff. “It’s just a nice place to get to know other people in the department,” said Mauldin. “To kind of also hear of the goings on with the main stage productions, senior shows, volunteer opportunities, and all the things.” For Mauldin, the event is as much about friendship and connection as it is about staying plugged into the productions and projects that shape the community of the department.

At its heart, the kickoff was about more than just starting the season, it was about building community. For some, that meant reconnecting with old friends, and for others, it was about finding their place in the department. For Hunter Reimer, a sophomore Communication Studies and Theater major, the sense of community was what stood out most. “It’s just the most genuine people I’ve met and it’s such a wonderful place where I can go and I don’t feel judged,” Reimer said.

While the day was filled with laughter and splashes, what really mattered was the sense of community. For Reimer, that was the heart of it all. “We’re all hanging out and it feels no different than when we’re on stage rehearsing.

We’re just a group of friends all hanging out, having fun, just for the vibes,” said Reimer.

Theater at USF has always been about more

than scripts and spotlights—it’s about the people who bring those stories to life. The poolside kickoff captured that spirit perfectly, blending fun with friendship and setting the tone for a year full of collaboration, creativity, and connection. As the season begins, students aren’t just looking forward to the shows ahead—they’re stepping into a community where they can grow, belong, and make memories both onstage and off.

(Top) Sydni Mauldin (left) and Kadie Huls (right) sharing a laugh by the pool.

(Bottom) USF Theater students and faculty pose for a group picture.

Picture creds: Charlie Wood

9

Culture For Service By: Clayton Cooper

10

The University of Sioux Falls held its annual Culture for Service Day on September 24, 2025. Students from around the campus volunteered for projects in and around the Sioux Falls area. This group of students volunteered to help the Premiere Playhouse move and construct set pieces for their production of Noises Off. USF’s Culture for Service days are designed to prepare students not only for their careers, but to use their talents in ways that positively impact their communities.

Faculty Art Exhibition

By: Sydney McKee

12

October 3, 2025, the Faculty Art Exhibition was held in the lower level of the Jeschke Fine Arts Center. Featured artists included Ceca Cooper, Dr. Nick Poppens, Joe Schaeffer, Nancy Olive, and Cody Henrichs.

Students, faculty, and alumni attended an opening reception celebrating the artists’ most recent works. This was one of the many events that took place during homecoming week at USF.

Campus Cookout

By: Sydney McKee

September 25, 2025, the Black Student Alliance and Cougar Activities Board put on a cookout for students on the quad. The night included hot dogs, hamburgers, music, and outdoor games.

Nine-square, spike ball, and giant chess games were played throughout the evening.

13

The Cougars Longing for Growth After Heartbreaking Key to the City Loss By: Junior Wide Receiver Adonis Hutchinson

14

The locker room was quiet. Helmets rested on the floor, shoulder pads half-unbuckled, eyes fixed on the busted white board taken out by disappointment, mind in awe. Just minutes earlier, the roar on The Bob quickly faded into disbelief as Augustana celebrated on our turf, again.

For the third straight year, the Key to the City stays on the other side of town. This time, after a fourth-quarter tragedy that to this day doesn’t feel real. We led 28-10 early in the final quarter, in complete control, until it all slipped away.

As a player, and as someone a part of this rivalry for three years, the sting cuts deep. Rivalry games are about pride, legacy, and proving dominance. Losing three in a row especially in the fashion that we did is hard to put into words. “It’s tough,” Head Coach Jim Glogowski said during his postgame interview on The Coo Cast.

“There’s no other way to say it. You feel every bit of that one. But we’re going to learn from it. We have to.”

Augustana’s comeback was one for the books. Their freshman quarterback, playing in his first college start, threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. A late two-point conversion, a perfectly timed reverse play ultimately sealed the 29-28 loss that left us stunned. For most of the game, though, it was all USF. Bubba Tann III scored twice on the ground, and Hank Brown Jr. added two more touchdowns, one receiving and one rushing. We moved the ball at will and outgained Augustana nearly 500 to 330 yards. Everything was clicking.

Momentum in football is strange; it can swing off one stop, one penalty, one spark. Though even when they started scoring, the way the game was going it felt like a response was near. A response that never arrived.

After the game, Coach Glogowski didn’t yell. He didn’t have to. The silence and the tears running down our faces said everything. But when he finally spoke, the message was clear.

“Games like this don’t build your char-

acter, they test it,” he said. “You can’t control the past, but you can control your response. We have a choice, we either let this define us or we use it to grow.”

At 4-3, we still have everything to play for. We can still reach 8-3, still fight for respect, and still show that this team is built for more.

Monday’s team meeting wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. We watched the film, relived every missed tackle, every dropped ball, every empty red-zone trip.

“Sometimes,” Coach Glogowski said, “you must feel pain to learn how to grow. You can’t hide from it.” For the older guys, especially those of us who have been through all three of these rivalry losses, the lesson hits harder. We’ve seen what it feels like to win and what it feels like to lose when it matters most. We have got to use this to respond.

Too many of us have fallen into this “illusion of choice” as Coach Glo would say. There is no other choice than to respond.

There’s still more football left to play, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years here, it’s that this program keeps pushing.

The Key might be on the other sideline for now, but next season, we’ll be ready to fight for it again with a gritty, experienced, sharp, and determined mindset.

Photo Credit: Jurgens Photography

Photo Credit: Clayton Cooper

Culture For Service