Big parking news for The Bluest Eye!!

As you know... parking around Theatre VCU can be a bit challenging. (the Blogster is grimacing at her own understatement).

After much negotiation, (thank you David Leong, thank you School of the Arts, Dean's Office) the university is willing to let us have a limited number of parking spaces in the VV lot (across the street behind the Music Department's renovated church).

Parking passes can be purchased at the Box Office window before and on performance nights. Each parking pass will cost $5.00, and you must pick up a pass for your dashboard so your car will not be ticketed or  towed.

These parking passes will be available for Friday April 8, Saturday April 9, Friday April 15 & Saturday April 16.

If this is well received, and we use up all the passes, we will extend this offer for the last week of the show.

Just think how wonderful it will be be to walk across the street to you car parked under the lights at the VV lot.

If you have any questions - please call us at the Theatre VCU main office - 828-1514 or email our box office at Theatretix@vcu.edu.

This could be the start of something big!!!

Bakety Bakety Bake Sale -PAC 10-1 today

Come buy a goodie for a buck today in the PAC lobby from 10 - 2.

And support the Theatre VCU Masquerade Ball!

We're in tech!

Set photos to follow...

Devil Boys from Beyond - VCU night!

Devil Boys from Beyond
Flying saucers! Backstabbing bitches! Muscle hunks and men in pumps! Buddy Thomas, author of RTP’s "The Crumple Zone", and Kenneth Elliott, the director of off-Broadway classics such as "Vampire Lesbians of Sodom", have written a deliriously campy sci-fi spoof that is naughty, gleeful fun, recalling not only the paranoid world of the 1950s, but the legendary drag romps of Charles Ludlam and Charles Busch. Wake up and smell the alien invasion in this outrageous comedy, nominated for 2010 GLAAD award, and a recent off-Broadway success!

The show features VCU Students Tommy Callan, Thomas Cunningham, Trey Harrison, and Kevin Cisek. Lights are designed by Johnny Kernisky and Lisa Hardt stage managing.

Also, since there are so many VCU students involved, we are having "VCU Night" on Thursday, March 31st at 8pm. All students with a VCU ID can purchase 2 for 1 tickets at the door! Regular student tickets are $15.

Richmond Triangle Players Theater

1300 Altamont Avenue

Richmond, VA

Need I say more???

Aaron Willoughby took our sign to 

the Elite Eight  triumph in San Antonio.

Way to Represent Aaron!!

Sign up today.....

for advising on Monday.

Every undergrad first, second & third year student must sign up with their advisor for Advising Day - Monday, March 28, 2011.


Let's review: if you want to return next year as a theatre major you need to speak to your Advisor on Monday.

Or... if you haven't already, then please proceed to the second floor of the PAC and schedule a time with your advisor by signing up on the sheets hanging on the red panels.

Are we clear?

Repeat after me...

Advising Monday, must sign up....

Advising Monday, must sign up....

Advising Monday, must sign up....

Advising Monday, must sign up.... TODAY!!!

Nerve opening at Shafer tonight!

NERVE
by Adam Szymkowics

A dark comedy about falling in love on the first date. Elliot has never had an online date before ... at least not one that showed up. Susan has had far too many but would prefer not to discuss them. When they meet in a bar one night, all their personality flaws are revealed, along with a live puppet, some modern dance and a desperation that may or may not be love.

Come on out, it’s FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE!!!

Starring:
Emily Marsh
Alan Vollmer

Directed by Thomas Bell
Choreography by Tori Bertocci
Lighting Design by Sam Updike
Sound Design by Andrew Redmon
Production Management by Katie Davis  

March 24th IDR@ 8pm
March 25th @ 8pm
March 26th @ 8pm
March 27th @ 3pm


From the director:

“Love’s a crazy thing.  It’s hard to really define what it is because it’s a matter of opinion.  We all look for love with the objective of finding our soul mates, when really what we want is connection.  Connections help us to feel needed and important, and we want to find someone that makes us feel like that all the time.  No wonder bosses fall in love with their secretaries all the time.  As human beings in a fast paced world, we all want the quick fix, so using dating sites and Facebook has become more popular than actually finding people to talk to by chance.  In trying to find that ultimate connection, we build up unreal expectations to the point that we think that anything we feel is love, when really it’s something else.  What is it?  Desperation?  Loneliness? Indigestion?  Where does it belong?  Nothings certain.  We only know that it exists and it’s better to be crazy-looking for love instead of not looking for love and seeming crazy.”

or as Paul Simon has said:

Ask somebody to love you,

Takes a lot of nerve.

Ask somebody to love you,

You got a lot of nerve.

Black & White Masquerade Meeting Tomorrow - 4:30

Here we go!

The core group of planners... and any of you who would like to dive in and add your genius to a great Theatre VCU event.... please join us for a meeting Thursday, March 24, 4:30 pm, PAC Bldg. student lounge. It's time to get serious and make this happen.

For those of you who don't know what's up:

Here's the scoop:

The students of Theatre VCU are throwing themselves a celebration

 Masquerade Ball

Saturday, May 7, 2011

from 7:30 - 11:00

Raymond Hodges Theatre, Singleton Performing Arts Center

Ticket & a mask - $7.00 per person

Tickets go on sale April 11, 2011

Who's invited?

You are!

ALL Theatre Undergrads, Grad students, Faculty, Staff - the whole damn Theatre VCU family 

You and a guest (yes, your guest does NOT have to be a theatre student)

Why are we doing this?

Why not?

We deserve it.

It will be a blast.

What do we wear?

Decorate the mask you are given with your ticket. We will even sell you a decorating kit of feathers and sparklies! Then take a hint from the name of the Ball - Black & White! Dress it up... or dress it down - it's your party.

What will happen at this Ball?

That's what we're working on. 

There will be food, and dancing and photo ops, and goofy prizes... and of course prizes for the best mask, the best outfit, and.... well... that would be giving it away wouldn't it?

So now you know!!

Bake sales to come soon - buy a muffin and support YOUR Ball!!

More wonderful advising information

I did warn you... it is one busy day for the Bloginator.

Just heard from the fabulous Ms. McCracken and here is what she said:

 Because I am awesome (and because I lost my voice and can’t call you about this)...here are the instructions for students to access the Degree Audit tool on eServices (required for Theatre Advising Day).  A reminder that these are the STUDENT instructions (advisors get to the tool a different way).  Also reminder that all first year and sophomore students need to use the instructions for the What If Analysis tool (the second set of instructions on the sheet).  Why?  Because students are listed as “Theatre Foundation” until they complete their Sophomore assessments...and you can’t earn a degree in Theatre Foundation!

Hugs and kisses

Shaun


Here you go:


Degree Evaluation on eServices


1). Log on to eServices.

2). Click the “Student” tab.

3). Select the “Student Records” option.

4). Select “Degree Evaluation”.

5). Select the term (it will usually be the upcoming semester, i.e. Fall 2010, or Spring 2011). Then click “Submit”.

6). You will see your current degree information (major, concentration, year started, etc.)—look at the bottom of the screen and click “Generate New Evaluation”.

7). Select your program (click on the circle beside it) and click “Generate Request”.

8). You will see 2 options (General Requirements and Detail Requirements)—select “Detail Requirements” and click “Submit”.

9). All “completed” requirements will have a “yes” beside them—all incomplete requirements will have a “no” in red beside them.  Pay careful attention to any requirements you have not yet completed.

This is the same process you will use when you do your graduation checkout, so it’s a great idea to get used to it now!  Pay close attention to any requirements that you’ve spoken with your departmental advisor about (i.e. if you are “substituting” one course for another).  Your departmental advisor needs to fill out a Substitution/Waiver Form so that your degree audit reflects that substitution.

Thinking about changing your major, changing your academic bulletin, or switching to a different track?  The degree audit can help you with that too!

 1). Follow all of the previous steps up to #6.

2). Instead of clicking on “Generate New Evaluation”, click “What-if Analysis”.

3). Select your entry term (this is the semester you started at VCU or, if you want to change your academic bulletin, the new bulletin year) and click “Continue”.

4). Select your program.  If you want to see how much progress you’ve made in a different major, click the drop-down box and select a new major (i.e. Music BA, or Theatre BA), then click “Continue”.

5). You should see the entry term you selected and the program you selected—now choose your campus (it will always be “Monroe Park”, unless you choose a medical program), and click the drop-down box beside “First Major” (there will only be one option to select—just make sure you select it or the program won’t work).  Click “Submit”.

6). Select your evaluation term (it will be the current semester) and click “Generate Request”.

7). You will see 2 options (General Requirements and Detail Requirements)—select “Detail Requirements” and click “Submit”.

8). All “completed” requirements will have a “yes” beside them—all incomplete requirements will have a “no” in red beside them.  Pay careful attention to any requirements you have not yet completed.



An important question or two - Are we reaching ALL of the Theatre VCU students and faculty? Are you looking at the Blog? Do you care? Does the Blog help with spreading the Theatre VCU word? Does my butt look big in these pants?  How do we find these things out?

Advising.... The Blogster advises that you sign up... like... now.

Once again the Bloginator needs your attention.

If you are theatre major -  first, second & third year. Graduating seniors, ignore this blog- go back to your nap

Actors, Techs, Stage Managers. You know who you are.


Today.
Come to the PAC Building.
You know, the big brick building on the corner of Park Ave and Harrison St., across the street from the park with the canon guy. Yep. That's the one.

Now go to the second floor.

See the big red board?

Those are are advising sign-up sheets for Monday, March 28th.

Find the name of your advisor and write your name on a time slot.

Easy right?

Do it today. Here's the serious part:

ALL THEATRE MAJORS MUST SIGN UP FOR ADVISING DAY.

We do this twice a year. If you are coming back in the Fall you must attend Advising Day this coming Monday, and you must put your name on the sign-up sheet. Capeesh?

Are you a Playwriter?

FULL TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS available for the MFA Playwriting Program at Catholic University, Washington, DC - extended to April 15th!

Catholic University of America is still accepting applications for their MFA Playwriting Program, headed by award-winning playwright Jon Klein.  This is the only MFA program in playwriting in the theatre-rich Washington, DC area - and with over 80 theatres in residence, there are many opportunities for professional internships, readings and productions available to graduate students.  Previous and current playwrights have had such opportunities at Arena Stage, Woolly Mammoth, Roundhouse Theatre, Theatre J, the Kennedy Center, the DC Fringe Festival, and many more.  CUA playwrights have also won several national Michael Kanin Playwriting awards (at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival), for the last five years running!

Also, we are able to offer two full tuition fellowships for the three year program, culminating in a full, mainstage production of the thesis play.  We have extended the application deadline to April 15th!  This might be of great benefit to those playwrights who thought they were too strapped for cash to pursue an MFA - or to those who may have already been rejected by other programs!
More information on the program, and how to apply, may be found here: http://drama.cua.edu/graduate/mfa-playwriting.cfm

Jon Klein
Head of the MFA Playwriting Program
The Catholic University of America

Big Day on the Blog

First to all you performance majors.

ALL OF YOU!

This is a once in a career opportunity.

Today from 1 to 3 pm in B72 and Friday from 1 to 3 pm in Newdick you ALL will have the opportunity to have a Question and Answer period with Rich Cole, one of the most successful and influential Broadway Casting Directors.

Have you seen his bio??

No?

Take a minute and read this:
RICH COLE has cast more than 800 productions for Broadway (including several for the Roundabout), Off-Broadway, London, Vienna, Frankfort and more than two-dozen of the nation’s major regional theatres over the past twenty-three years. His current casting clients include The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Pioneer Theatre Company, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, The Connecticut Repertory Theatre, and others. The Casting Society of America has nominated him three times for the prestigious ARTIOS AWARD. A member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, he just directed THE DINING ROOM for the Monomoy Theatre in Cape Cod. Other directing credits include projects for the Pearl Theatre Company, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, MCC, Geva, the Asolo, the Roundabout’s Ensemble Company, the George Street Playhouse, the Tilles Arts Center, the West Bank, the Drilling Company and many others. He received a 2003 OOBR Award for his Urban Rock Project’s production of his play UNNATURAL ACTS. The Project’s PATRIOT ACTS (for which he wrote two and directed four of the plays) received critical acclaim at the 2004 New York International Fringe Festival.  In addition, he was a member of the performance faculty for the University of Alabama/Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s MFA program from 1995-1999 and is currently a guest Professor of Acting at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Are you serious about a theatre career?

Really?

Then get yourself to B72 at 1:00 today, and on Friday go to Newdick at 1:00, and listen very carefully. This man knows the business, loves the business is here FOR YOU.

Or... you could just go and buy another $5.00 latte.  Your call.

Thank you Patti D'Beck for asking Rich to come to Virginia. What a tremendous opportunity for all of us! Right guys?

Theatre is family. When one of us is in pain, we all feel it.

Lou Szari is Theatre VCU's Lighting Design Director.


But we all know he is more than that.

He is the department's most enthusiastic supporter, cheerleader, and advocate. He teaches lighting design and technology when he isn't teaching ethics, compassion and the fundamentals of living well. Lou teaches by listening, and uses the power of positive feedback. He recognizes the demands and struggles our students sometimes have difficulty with. He will always help them when he can, and if can't, he finds out who will.

Lou Szari is genuinely beloved and respected by his current and former students, his colleagues, and his family. We all feel the pain of what he is going through now, and all of us hope that our love will help relieve some of his sorrow.

From the Richmond Times Dispatch, March 16, 2011:

Nicholas Anthony Szari

  |   Visit Guest Book

SZARI, Nicholas Anthony Joseph, 25, went to the arms of his mother, Catherine Gragnani Szari, on March 14, 2011. He is survived by his sons, Anthony Joseph, 4, and Austyn Ryan, 2; the love of his life, Brandy Nichole Berg; his loving father, Lou Szari; sister, Annie; stepmother, Diane; stepsister, Robin Cambell; stepsister, Jenny Thompson (Erik), their daughter, Kyleigh; stepbrother, Joseph Cambell and his son, Lochlan. He also leaves behind many members of the extended Gragnani family; and Spann's family; Jewell's; Evans families; and especially, Grandma Anna. Nick loved spending time with his boys. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved being with his friends, drinking a cold beer, and getting down and dirty in the mud at the "farm," and at any good mud sling'n'mudbog. He enjoyed the outdoors and helping anyone and everyone possible. He loved us all with everything he had. His smile and amazing baby blues could get him out of anything. Nick may be gone, but his legacy will live on forever. At the visitation, ties are not expected, and camo is respected. He saved multiple lives with his gift of life as an organ donor. The family will receive friends and family from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at Bliley's - Central, 3801 Augusta Ave. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Friday, March 18, at The Catholic Church of the Redeemer, 8275 Meadowbridge Rd., Mechanicsville, Va. 23116, followed by interment at Hanover Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, Nick would prefer donations for educational needs for his sons. Please send in care of Lou Szari.

 

 

Here is the link to the RTD

 

And here is the link to the Facebook page

Very Special Guest Artist Rich Cole - Here Monday, March 21st!

What a terrific opportunity for our performance seniors!

Monday, March 21 - Friday, March 25 

4-6pm • PAC 072 

The Gnadiges Fraulein: A One-Act by Tennessee Williams Tonight - Friday!

FREEATER alert! 

Come out come out wherever you are!

The Gnadiges Fraulein is opening TONIGHT Wednesday, March 9th! It's a bizarre romp into slapstick tragedy, featuring witty dialogue, props, costumes and even an awkward bird named Sebastian. What more could you really want?

Performances will be at 8pm Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and since the shows run about one hour from start to finish you'll have time for additional evening events and still be in bed by eleven!  

Whatta deal! 

 

8:00 Shafer Street Playhouse FREE!!

 

In the photo: Erin Adelman, Kim Campbell, Pam Webb and Sean Wyland, and VCU theatre graduate Ben Hill

Last Week of Legacy of Light!!! Special ticket prices!!

This is the final week of Legacy of Light by Karen Zacarías. SPECIAL DISCOUNT! 1/2 price tickets for Thursday (tomorrow) night's performance. Call now! 282-2620

Calling all designers!! Put Theatre VCU on the university's radar!

This is a little late... but thanks to Toni Leslie James and Bonnie McCoy we are joining the other Fine Art students in being considered for the
2011 Juried Student Fine Arts Exhibition.

All you scene designers & costume designers who competed in SETC should be in great shape to submit work. Lighting designers - if you have fine art pieces - please consider submitting those!!

The deadline is March 22 - that is the Tuesday after spring break.

Here is all the info:

Photo Ops # 2 - the night of the Design Tech CeremonyA

Cody and Becky waitng for the SETC Design/Tech Award Ceremony to begin.

I take complete responsibility for this photo. In the first shot they were simply smiling - looking every inch, the perfect college student. I think all I said was "Attitude please." And this is what I got. YES, Theatre VCU

Some of our favorite people.

Ron Keller, Maura Cravey, and the Lou Szari... ready for a great night.

Jasmine and Sam looking at some award winning work perhaps?...

Rows and rows of Theatre VCU support. See that waving arm? That's Lou way back there.




Next Blog: Photos of the winners!

Congratulations to Dr. T!!

Photo Ops SETC #1 - Getting there, getting set up, first day.

Driving down to Atlanta - a van load of Theatre VCUers - that's Blair Russell taking the photo, Johnny K grimacing on the next bench. Look carefully, isn't that Tucker napping in the back against the window?

Helpers in the booth. Nicole sneaking a sandwich before another workshop. Andy who saved the day multiple times, and made the TV work. Thank you Andy!

Matt A. was a huge help answering questions, passing out brochures like a pro. We had a very busy booth, and Matt made us look good.
Love the grip he has on Blair's tie!

What a handsome group. The first day of SETC - Mackenzie, Mac, Becca & Ron.
See how fresh everyone looks! Trust me, it didn't last.

Call this the braggin' about SETC week!

Here is a list of our Design/Tech students who won at SETC, according to Maura Cravey:   Of the 92 total entrants in the competition VCU had 21--or 22.8%.   Of the 23 awards given out VCU had 8--or 34.7%.

Not too shabby.

Here's How it broke down:

Tomorrow: photos from Atlanta.