SETC Looms - Are YOU Ready?

Me. Not so much.

The Bloginator could use your assistance.
Your brilliance.
Your enthusiasm.
Your words.

Current students or alumni - take 5 minutes and give me a few words about your journey here at Theatre VCU.

AS SOON AS YOU ARE ABLE - please write a few lines about your experience as a theatre student. How have your grown?
What have you discovered?
What has been exciting?
What has been challenging?

I am creating a promotional piece about the program and I want to feature YOU.
The dream is to knock this together THIS WEEK and have it at SETC. (this inspiration hit me while limping to work this morning.)

Email the blogster at gmbrannan@vcu.edu with a sentence or two. Send me a headshot, if you can. What year are you (did you) graduating?
5 minutes - two sentences - that's all we need. 

Thank you for your help! 

ps - if you help the bloginator - promise the next blog will be nothing but bragging!!

pps - there's a grand bakesale planned for next Tuesday March 7 to support our Magnificent Masked Ball 2012. Bring a buck to support your favorite ball.

Are you ready? (insert peppy TV sports show music here)

Four things to peak your interest
Something for everyone:
1st
We are excited to announce auditions for a production in the SALT Season this spring, titled "A Corner of the World," directed by Rachel Blackburn and stage managed/assistant directed by Sydney Ballesteros.
Auditions will take place:

*7:30-10pm Monday, March 5th, 2012, Room 204 Shafer Street Playhouse
*7:30-10pm Tuesday, March 6th, 2012, Room 204 Shafer Street Playhouse
***The Tuesday date is a second opportunity for those to come out who cannot make it on Monday night. It is not a call back.***

A large variety of casting options within the play will be considered and all persons - no matter your gender, color, or creed - are encouraged to come out and play. The characters in this play span a beautiful and wide spectrum of ethnic, gender, and sexual orientation identification. You will be asked to do cold readings from the script; you are not required to prepare a monologue. However, please bring a resume and headshot with you, and a willingness to play. Rehearsals will begin after spring break, and performances are scheduled throughout the weekend of April 27th-29th, 2012.    
If you have any questions, please email the director at blackburnre@vcu.edu

Thank you!

"A Corner of the World" was originally commissioned and produced by the Emigrant Theater in Minneapolis in 2005. The play is written by Bridget Carpenter, Julia Cho, Jordan Harrison, Itamar Moses, and Chay Yew.


2nd
Congratulations to the Stand Up Comics - it was a huge success for the Department, for Stephen Rosenfield, for our students! And the winner of 4 FREE tickets to the Theatre VCU May 4th Masquerade Ball is Caitlin Carbone!!!
Tied for 2nd was Danielle Williams & Grace Earley
Tied for 3rd is Caty Nicholson & Becky Granger.

Congratulations Caitlin!!!
Tickets for the ball will go on sale starting April 1 (April Fools Day) come to the office and get your 4 tickets any time after that date!




3rd
Speaking of THE BALL there will be a short (incredibly productive) meeting today at 5:00 in the Student Lounge - for ALL our volunteers. It's time to get serious about pulling the Ball.

4th

This coming weekend Theatre VCU is hosting:

Virginia Theatre In Our Schools Mini-Conference

March 3, 2012

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, VA

REGISTER NOW!

The Virginia Theatre In Our Schools Mini-Conference Committee is pleased to announce the breakout sessions schedule for the March 3 mini-conference in Richmond, VA. For full session descriptions and registration information, please visit www.aate.com/VA.

Communicating: Onstage AND Off
This session will inform teachers on how to guide their students through onstage dialogues that are well communicated.  The goal is that the students become better communicators onstage and off.  This provides both a quantifiable enrichment of the students for evaluation and valuable life skills. The foci of the communication process include clarity, presence, effectiveness, and "the Why?".
Session Presented by:
Augustine Correro, Theatre VCU

Your Future as a Theatre Educator: Connecting with Possibilities
Connect with Dr. Rosalind M. Flynn and other conference attendees for a conversation about current and future employment possibilities for Theatre Educators.Dr. Flynn will share her perspective on how Theatre Educators can broaden their professional horizons and lead participants in a discussion of ways to connect with their own communities and with the global community.
Session Presented By:
Dr. Rosalind M. Flynn, The Catholic University of America Drama Department

Math +(Dance+Storytelling)=Empowered Math Understanding
Participants will create a series of best practice specially designed games for exploring mathematically concepts. Attendees will develop their own ideas and discover how a teacher can explore word problems in an entertaining, accessible and creative manner.  Finally, they will explore how easily you can incorporate the arts into your classroom. As result, the teachers could immediately apply these best practices to design their lessons to be more kinesthetic; to have a stronger curricula connection, and to build a more connected focused community.
Session Presented by:
Arianna Ross, Story Tapestries

Explaining Science Through Story
The educators will discover through drama and storytelling how best to teach their students complex scientific processes and concepts in a visual, audio and kinesthetic process. Attendees will play a series of specially designed games for either small or large group settings that have been proven to enhance their science curricula.
Session Presented by:
Arianna Ross, Story Tapestries

What If I Act It?
This session will give attendees a toolbox and the permission to explore connectivity to core curriculum subjects. Specific SOL points will be addressed and participants will actively work to engage the topic using theatrical techniques.
Session Presented by: Michael Kerry Williams, Young Audiences of Virginia and Amelia Zontini, Young Audiences of Virginia

Theatre in Our Schools (TIOS) is a month-long national event celebrating the power of theatre education to make children’s lives better. Supported by AATE, the celebration has grown substantially each March, reaching thousands of students, educators, artists, administrators, and supporters.

To register with a check by mail, please download our registration form.

5th 

Today  at 1:00 and 2:00 in the Commons Theatre - Ten Theatre VCU students will appear in a devised piece directed by Josh Chenard about body image for National Eating Disorder Awareness week -

Here's what the Telegram is saying:

4. National Eating Disorder Awareness Week Event: 'You, Me, & Everyone We Know'
University Counseling Services and the Wellness Resource Center sponsor TheatreVCU's presentation of "You, Me, and Everyone We Know" today, Feb. 27, at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. in the Commons Theater. The free performance will present a series of monologues and sketches exploring body image, disordered eating, pressure, community and hope. A brief discussion will follow each 30-minute performance. For more information, contact Megan Brannan at mbrannan@vcu.edu. 

The buzz is - this a wonderful half hour performance - honest, funny, tragic poignant. 

If you are free - please stop by and support our students!
 

 

Vote for your favorite! And you might win too!!

 What a great way to support members of the Theatre VCU community... a night of stand up comedy!

This weekend, Friday at 8pm and Saturday at 8pm and 10pm, we are celebrating the very original work of our own Theatre VCU stand up comedians.
This 80 minute show features under-grad and grad students coached by nationally renowned comedian, writer, coach and Director of the New York City’s American Comedy Institute, Stephen Rosenfield. $5 student tickets.

To add a little fun, to an already fun night, we are going to run a contest...
In the lobby (when you're buying your popcorn and candy) you will be able to vote for the person you are coming to see or most excited to see.  The comedian who receives the most votes, will receive 4 free tickets to the masked ball, who knows, they might even invite you to go with them.


The Theatre VCU Stand Up comics include:
Morgan Barbour
Rachel Blackburn
Caitlin Carbone
Elliot Duffy
Grace Earley
Andrew Flack
Becky Granger
Matt Johnson
Aaron Mauck
Caty Nicholson
Mahlon Raoufi
Tyra Robinson
Connor Scully
Danielle Williams

Don't forget, the valuable stage manager Sarah Worden - you can vote for her too!

We've got comedy (and popcorn) in the Hodges - and you don't want to miss this weekend.

Work for the actors out there - all y'all!

From "Happy Reading" Who are looking for actors:

Perhaps three will be the charm.  We are still looking for male actors to portray Patrick Henry, Tavern Keeper and Thornton... a slave... during our field trip week.  Thus far, I have heard from no candidates.

Call for Acting Talent for Historic Site in Hanover County

We are looking for actors to portray "living characters" for one week during the month of March (March 12-16) as elementary students visit our historic site.  Each character will wear period costume and deliver a presentation of approximately 8 minutes, twice a day, for five days.  We are in need of actors to play Patrick Henry, a slave named Thornton (who was a blacksmith and a lead conspirator in a planned slave uprising), and a lively individual to portray a Tavern Keeper.  Auditions for these parts will be held in February (date TBD) and selected actors will be compensated $250 for the week.  In addition, we are in need of understudies for these same three roles.  Understudies must attend 2 of the 5 performance days and be available to step into the role on any of the 5 days.  We are also seeking two individuals to serve as "acting coaches", helping students to engage with the script during a brief reader's theater performance twice each day.  Understudies and acting coaches will be compensated $100 for the week.  Interested actors should reply to lovebooks@happyreading.org.  We look forward to your response.

Theatre VCU's The Elephant Man ends with standing ovations and challenges met

Yesterday, as the snow fell on Richmond a nearly full audience leapt to their feet after the final performance of The Elephant Man.

Even with one of our understudies (Cassandra Hamilton) jumping into the role of the Princess Alesandra (as well as jumping into a refitted wig and costume- thank you Costumers!), and with some very quick music changes - the audience was rapt. This Bloginator has received three phone messages this morning from friends who were in the audience who were overwhelmed by the work they saw in the Hodges. One caller wanted to be sure Ausin received "back massages and a long soak in a hot tub."
Suggestion noted.

The comments overheard in the lobby were full of praise and accolades. One blogger (I Could Go On) said
"The cast, particulary Austin Seay as Merrick and Matthew Johnson as the doctor, made it easy to forget that it wasn't a troupe of professionals."



Congratulations to the cast and crew who made the magic at every performance.

Next up:

 STAND UP COMEDY 
AT THEATRE VCU 
THIS COMING WEEKEND!!

It's up to you Theatre VCU students.

We know you're busy.
We know you've got homework. 
We know that you try not to think about how much we need your help.
But.. please...
Take an hour to promote Theatre VCU and your friends.

The Theatre VCU family have two big events 

to support

to spread the word about

to embrace

to endorse

to celebrate:

The last weekend of The Elephant Man

 AND

Next week's great Stand Up Comedy Weekend!!

Only $5.00 for any student!

 

Please help us spread the word.

You will receive credit (and possibly chocolate)

If you will:

Hang posters

Hand out fliers

and don't forget to

Talk to your friends.

Tweet/facebook/tmblr

Support each other's work. 

Please come to the main office and volunteer an hour to hand out fliers today and next week.

Take an hour to promote Theatre VCU and your friends.

Casting news

    Thank you Barry Bell for the info:

    GOOD NEWS PRODUCTIONS

    Presents:

    CASTING FOR THE FILM “TEMP”

    SUSPENSE THRILLER!

    March 17, 2012

    Location: Hampton Inn Richmond South

    4300 Commerce Road Richmond VA., 23234

    (804) 743-3550

    TIME: 11:00AM- 7:00PM

    Looking for talent of all ages! Visit the website for more details:

    www.goodnewsproductions.net

    
Good News Productions, LLC; PO Box 2624, Chesterfield, Virginia 23832

 Characters needed:

     Female lead 24-36, male lead 24-36, 2 male co-star 45-60, 2 females 45-60, 2 females 60-70, short roles- female 24-36, 4 male police officers 25-60, one little person, lots of short roles and extras needed various ages

Brag Blog #2

some very interesting items about Theatre VCU alums and current students:

Alumni
Andrew Wallace (BFA, Scene Design 06)
Winners of the nine USITT Awards for Young Designers & Technicians in the Performing Arts have been selected for 2012.
Andrew Wallace will receive the Bernhard R. Works, Frederick A. Buerki Scenic Technology Award. He will graduate in May from Yale University. Mr. Wallace was nominated by Bronislaw Sammler, who also nominated the winners for this award for the past three years and himself received the 2009 USITT Distinguished Achievement in Technical Production Award. Adjudicators commented "The work shown by Andrew demonstrates excellence in technical direction and a level of professional work that all students should strive to meet."  
Go here to read more!

Current Grad Student
Keven Inouye (MFA, Movement)
From the Richmond Times Dispatch review of Richmond Shakespeare's Macbeth
"...and fight director Kevin Inouye provides fearsome and believable action throughout, especially in the crashing final battle between Macbeth and Macduff."
Go here to read more!

Heading to the Atlanta Fringe Festival
[vampire]Medea has been selected to be performed at ATLANTA FRINGE FESTIVAL May 9-13, 2012!
Directed by Augustin Correra (current grad student)
with Sharisse Saunders (current grad student) as Medea
Check out our webpage, which includes news, updates, and audition information for our home-grown VCU production that is all grown up and headed down to Atlanta Fringe Festival!

Go here to read more!

hey Theatre VCU students & alums...

what do you have to brag about?

contact gmbrannan@vcu.edu and we will bragblog right here.

Brag Blog #1

Tonight.

The beginning of the last weekend of Elephant Man at 
Theatre VCU.

Haven't seen it yet?

This is what you have missed:

 

Take a listen here to John Ogle's recording that aired this morning on WCVE about our Elephant Man high school matinees.

Attention all Theatre VCU Designers - your photos for SETC are here!

To view all the photos of The Elephant Man set, costumes & light design shot on Sunday, February 12
go here.

Theatre VCU's The Elephant Man - "...the cast delivered a masterful performance with an obvious understanding of their respective characters that took the audience from goose bumps to, in some cases, tears."

Please go here for a thoughtful review of the Elephant Man from The Commonwealth Times.

Kudos to our actors & designers, the students who stitched the costumes, banged the hammers and hung the lights - The Elephant Man is a beautiful show!

Here are some examples of why the bloginator urges you not to miss this production of 

The Elephant Man:

Some great updates from some recent Theatre VCU Alumni!

Joshua Boone:
As far as an update, I'm just staying focused and on the grind. I think I told you that I did a show at Goodspeed called Cutman which gave me my equity card, and when I got back to the city I was a part of a Fringe Encores production of a new play called Felony Friday. It starred John Amos, and right now they are in talks to bring it back for an Off Broadway run, also starring John, and directed by Joe Pantoliano, we'll see how that goes. Of course all of my eggs are not in one basket, so I'm staying strong on the audition grind until a contract is presented. I've been blessed, and lot's of opportunities have come my way, and I know its only a matter of time before something MAJOR happens! I love it up here, I miss yall, and please tell everyone I say hello, and thanks for having me in mind!!


Jasmine Coles:
I am having an amazing time in New York. I feel confident with my training from VCU every time I enter an audition. I just finished Monette an Off Broadway one woman show and now I am currently working on my own solo show for festivals. Thank you again for thinking of us.


Kimberly Exum:
Just to update you, I just finished a short tour of Seussical the musical and recently booked Ain't Misbehavin' for the month of March! I'm very happy to be working!


Josh Grace:
Having recently finished a tour of a children's musical, I am eager to delve into more complex material. Thanks for thinking about the alums up here and keeping us in the loop, we really appreciate it.



We would love hear from all our alums and put their adventures and successes right HERE!
Send photos!!

The Elephant Man in rehearsal - opening February 10 - this Friday!

Look what Kevin P. Cisek is bringing home from Florida!!

THE KCACTF REGION IV AWARD FOR THEATRICAL EXCELLENCE 

MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT IN SCENIC DESIGN

FOR HIS MODEL OF 

ARABIAN NIGHTS.

CONGRATS KEVIN!!!

Tonight. Free. Student directed. Student acted. Student designed. And best of all FREE!!

Almost Maine

Today at 8:00pm until Tomorrow at 8:00pm

A play written by John Cariani Synopsis: On a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost's residents find themselves... falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend...almost. Directed by Pam Webb Stage Manager: Kim Campbell Lighting Designer: Joe Thompson Featuring performances by: Rachel McManus Byron Wigfall Ashley Thompson Max Ehrlich Colleen Murphy Case Little Performance Dates: February 3rd at 8pm February 4th at 2pm and 8pm Doors open 30 minutes before the show COMPLETELY FREE!!!!!

Lord of the Flies - what a great review!!

Go here:

'Lord of the Flies' Theater Review

for a wonderful review of Henley Street Theatre's Lord of the Flies
Directed by our own Josh Chenard and starring several Theatre VCu stand outs.
Congrats to Sean Wyland and Drew Sease for their heralded performances.

Need I say more?

The Elephant Man!!!!
at

February 10 - 19.

Theatre VCU Students - Grad and Undergrad - pay attention please to this colorful message...