Just take a look at all the Theatre VCU faculty, alumni & students included in the RTCC award nominations!!!!

Best Musical
Dessa Rose, Richmond CenterStage / Firehouse Theatre Project - featuring Stacey Cabaj MFA 2012, Nick Aliff BFA 2010
The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), Richmond Triangle Players 
My Fair Lady, Virginia Repertory Theatre - featuring Stacey Cabaj MFA 2012 & Maggie Horan BFA 2013
The Rocky Horror Show, Firehouse Theatre Project - directed by Jase Smith MFA 2008, ensemble- Maggie Horan BFA 2013, Mauricio Marces BFA 2013, Nick Aliff, Joy Newsome, Katie Ford, Alex Gerber, Michael Hawke all BFA alumni

Spring Awakening, Virginia Repertory Theatre - ensemble - Josh Marin BFA 2012, Daniel Cimo BFA 2012, Richard Chan BFA 2013

Best Direction - Musical
Chase Kniffen, Seussical the Musical (Virginia Repertory Theatre)
Chase Kniffen, Spring Awakening
Bruce Miller, My Fair Lady
Steve Perigard, A Year with Frog and Toad (Virginia Repertory Theatre)
Jase Smith, The Rocky Horror Show- Jase Smith MFA 2008,  

Best Actor - Musical
Oliver Houser, Spring Awakening
Joe Inscoe, My Fair Lady
John Mincks, Spring Awakening
Fernando Rivadeneira, Musical of Musicals
Terence Sullivan, The Rocky Horror Show

Best Actress - Musical
Stacey Cabaj, My Fair Lady- starring Stacey Cabaj MFA 2012, featuring Maggie HoranBFA 2013
Desiree Roots Centeio, Dessa Rose
Jacquie O'Connor, Musical of Musicals
Ali Thibodeau, Spring Awakening
Debra Wagoner, Always...Patsy Cline (Virginia Repertory Theatre)

Best Supporting Actor - Musical
Nick Aliff, The Rocky Horror Show -Nick Aliff BFA 2010
Richard Chan, Spring Awakening - Richard Chan BFA 2013
Ben Houghton, My Fair Lady
Jason Marks, My Fair Lady
Durron Tyre, Dessa Rose

Best Supporting Actress - Musical
Christie Jackson, Spring Awakening
Lauren Leinhaas-Cook, My Fair Lady
Terri Moore, Always...Patsy Cline
Susan Sanford, Seussical
Susan Sanford, Spring Awakening

Best Musical Direction
Sandy Dacus, Spring Awakening
Paul Deiss, A Year with Frog and Toad
Kim Fox, Musical of Musicals
Leilani Giles, The Rocky Horror Show
Ben Houghton, My Fair Lady

Best Choreography
Starrene Foster, Spring Awakening
Maggie Marlin, The Rocky Horror Show - Maggie Marlin MFA 2009
Leslie Owens-Harrington, My Fair Lady

Best Play
August: Osage County, Cadence Theatre / Virginia Repertory Theatre
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Firehouse Theatre Project
Kimberly Akimbo, Cadence Theatre / Virginia Repertory Theatre
The Liar, Henley Street Theatre
The Tragedy of Macbeth, Richmond Shakespeare

Best Direction – Play
Anna Johnson, Kimberly Akimbo
Steve Perigard, Scorched Earth (Virginia Repertory Theatre)
Jan Powell, Macbeth
Rusty Wilson, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Keri Wormald, August: Osage County

Best Actor – Play
Ryan Bechard, Macbeth
KeiLyn Jones, Yellowman (Henley Street Theatre)
Matthew Mitchell, The Liar - Matthew Mitchell BFA 2011
Chris O'Neill, Next Fall (Richmond Triangle Players)
Alan Sader, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Best Actress – Play
Katrinah Carol Lewis, You Don't Know Me (Firehouse Theatre Project)
Melissa Johnston Price, August: Osage County - Melissa Johnston Price MFA 2010
Laine Satterfield, Cat on Hot Tin Roof
Zoe V. Speas, Macbeth
Irene Ziegler, Kimberly Akimbo

Best Supporting Actor – Play
Richard Koch, Kimberly Akimbo
Andrew Mitakides, Macbeth
Matthew Mitchell, Kimberly Akimbo - Matthew Mitchell BFA 2011
Matthew Mitchell, Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music (Virginia Rep) - Matthew Mitchell BFA 2011
Adrian Rieder, In the Next Room or the vibrator play (Cadence Theatre / Virginia Rep)

Best Supporting Actress – Play
Lorri Lindberg, Suddenly, Last Summer (Richmond Triangle Players) - Lorri Lindberg, Faculty
Katie McCall, August: Osage County
Carolyn Meade, August: Osage County
Jill Bari Steinberg, Kimberly Akimbo
Jody Smith Strickler, August: Osage County

The Ernie McClintock Best Ensemble Award
God of Carnage, Virginia Repertory Theatre
The Liar, Henley Street Theatre - ensemble Olivia Luna BFA 2011, Tyler Weaver BFA 2013
The Musical of Musicals, Richmond Triangle Players
Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Sycamore Rouge - directed by Jeff Cole MFA 2008, featuring Phil Vollmer BFA 2013
Stupid Kids, Richmond Triangle Players - directed by Jason Campbell, BFA & MFA, ensemble -Joe Winters BFA 2013 , Alex Gerber - both BFA alumni, Kerry McGee MFA

Best Locally-Developed New Work
Blue Mountain Christmas, Virginia Repertory Theatre
Brew, Stage B Theatre Company developed by Tommy Callan & Lucian Restivo BFA 2010
Joe Jackson's Night & Day, Richmond Triangle Players - developed by Andrew Hamm BFA& MFA
Scorched Earth, Virginia Repertory Theatre - set design by Ron Keller, faculty
Trojans, TheatreLAB - written by Augustin Correro MFA 2012

Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design
Maura Lynch Cravey, Blithe Spirit (Swift Creek Mill Theatre) - Maura Cravey, Faculty
Sue Griffin, My Fair Lady
Kate Prothemos, Picasso at the Lapin Agile
Terry Snyder, A Year with Frog and Toad
Holly Sullivan, The Rocky Horror Show

Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design
Andrew Bonniwell, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Joe Doran & Andrew Bonniwell, Lord of the Flies (Henley Street)
Joe Doran, The 39 Steps (Swift Creek Mill Theatre)
Lynne Hartman, Spring Awakening
Michael Jarrett, Musical of Musicals

Outstanding Achievement in Set Design
Brian Barker, In the Next Room - Brian Barker, Faculty & BFA 2003
Brian Barker, Spring Awakening - Brian Barker, Faculty & BFA 2003
Phil Hayes, August: Osage County - Phil Hayes, BFA
Terrie Powers, Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music
Mercedes Schaum, A Year with Frog and Toad

Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design
Buddy Bishop, Home Fires (Chamberlayne Actors Theatre)
Paul Deiss, The 39 Steps
Paul Deiss, It's A Wonderful Life (Swift Creek Mill Theatre)
James Ricks, Lord of the Flies
Jesse Senechal, Kimberly Akimbo

Outstanding Achievement in Fight Choreography
Kevin Inouye, The Tragedy of Macbeth - Kevin Inouye MFA 2011

Who did Bloginator miss???? 

email your chastisements to gmbrannan@vcu.edu

Job Opportunity - Actors needed for music video Great material for your "Before they were famous" TV special 20 years from now.

This just in - job op - doesn't look like a paying gig, but it does look like a lot of fun.

This is an email from Man Bites Dog Records. An opportunity for all VCU students... and faculty.

If you go - take a camera and your photos will go on the blog


Hey Hey There,

On Septemember 7th Our Record label ( Man Bites Dog Records) Will Be shooting a music Video In the Richmond Area.We are one of the only Record label In the Northern Va Area and We would really like to Show some support to the VCU students by having them join us on the Track.

Date: September 7th 2012
Time: 10 :30 am
Place : Gforce Race Track (Go Karts)
4845 Carolina Ave Building b
Richmond Va 23222

(Please contact me directly if interested, not the Venue) (reginambdrecords@gmail.com)



      We are looking for as many as possible VCU students to take part in the Video as extras. We have a few scenes that we would like the students to take part in.

1. Several students posing as fans on the side lines of the track. Holding up signs. yelling screaming.. ect

2. Some students will be racing on the track in go-karts

3. Students on the side lines watching the races from behind the glass

plus several other shoots.. We are looking for boys and girls.. teachers ..etc.. who ever wants to take part .. WE would LOVE it!!

We will be renting out the entire go kart track from 11am- 12 noon. ( it will not be open to the public!.) We are asking all students who want to participate to be in the parking lot by 10:30 am, and at that time we will talk with all the students and give them rolls in the video.. ) We are super excited to be working with all the talent VCU holds and can't wait to hear back !!

If interested or questions Contact me at :

 reginaMBDrecords@gmail.com( emails are the best way to RSVP to the event)

540-270-1384

This email can be forwarded to the Music Department, VCU newspaper( we would love for the newspaper journalist to come out) Theatre department, Or any other department you think will be interested in taking part of this video. We Appreciate your support in this event!!


Thank you Much.

Regina Sharikas
Man Bites Dog records
540-270-1384
reginaMBDrecords@gmail.com

Sorry to blog you again... but just got to share this...

Johnny Kernisky.
Affectionately known as Johnny K.
The guy in the center.

Just was hired full time by the Newseum, Washington DC, our Nation's capitol, as the lighting and special events guy:
 Tech Ops Specialist - a little sound, a little lighting, a little networking, and a little camerawork.

Did I get that right Johnny?

To those who don't know Mr. K. - This is a 2012 Lighting BFA graduate of  Theatre VCU.

Yes.

2012. 3 months ago.

With medical insurance, and a great gig.

I'm talking work, doing what he was trained to do. Right now.

Congratulations Johnny K. - Kudos to you and to your professors Lou Szari and Rob Perry.

Go make us proud!!!

(Now I'm waiting to hear from the other two amazing grads in this photo  -  Mr. Raintree? Ms Roberts? Whatcha doing? Cause I know it has been an awesome summer for both of you!)

NO!!! Now I want to hear from ALL you recent grads! I can't wait to brag about all of you!!! The bloginator is throwing down the bragging gauntlet!! Let me hear form you - facebook, or email gmbrannan@vcu.edu - send me photos and what is going on... you'd be surprised who will see it!

These guys rock! ( they also build like pros)

Get to know these great faces.
Meet: Danny, Gabby, Mackensie, Li and Roland (above) - they are to be recognized for their hard work done BEFORE the first day of class!

This is what the Noises Off TD, Mackensie Ellis, has to say about her team:
 "We worked monday through wednesday, 9am-6pm mon and tues and then 8am - 2pm wed. We completed build of all four Noises Off stage levels, putting us in a position where we might see the skeleton of the set-up and running next week, to be followed by walls and stairs, and of course, doors. About half of the returning scenic design department came in to help.

Among us were myself, Danny Benzinger, Roland Williams, Gabby Carder (Master Carpenter), Li Nguyen, Kristin Kifer (Welder), and Will Wacker (who isn't even a scenic major!). " 

You gotta love these guys.

A Meet and Greet followed by an Arresting Orientation!

First we did a meet and greet with pizza and cookies and the first year students:

Lining up for a nametag

Theatre people have no trouble getting to know each other....

Pizza always works.

Having just gotten free raffle tickets for a FREE semester of tuition.

David Leong jumps into the fray.

Bonnie Brady with a few of her peeps - Shea, Vincent, Hannah. Welcome all y'all

Then we had the Fall 2012 Student Orientation!

David and Aaron got us going. Aaron laid down the law.

And the the law led in Kevin... with cuffs! Officer Ruland laid down the laws about not being stupid on campus.

Dr. T talked up international studies.

Barr Bell introduced SALT, First Year Friday, and how obnoxious cell phones are in class.

Add caption

Look at  these faces!! Don't they look like they"re ready to rock the new school year?

Welcome back guys!

STAND BY AND GO!!!

It's the beginning of a great new year at Theatre VCU and the bloginator has hit her spot, has found her light and is ready to rock.

CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOU GUYS!

or as we say in Richmond Virginia "It's the new year ALL Y"ALL!!!"

Posters are up

Inside....

And out!

Meet Doug Orleski (affectionately referred to as Sluggo by all of us in the Main Office). Doug is new to the team and is responsible for spreading the word about our productions and all your great work.  Here he is moving the game pieces on the Big 2012/13 Calendar Game in the lobby.

 Don't forget everyone - students & faculty!!

Today:

2:00 pm - Welcome Reception for Theatre VCU first-year students

3:00 pm - Mandatory Orientation for Everyone!!!

(which is really an information packed pep rally to get the year started with a bang!

the bloginator hopes to get lots of photos for the blog) 



Theatre VCU Fans
Look what you have to look forward to: 
    
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012
Noises Off
Written by Michael Frayn • Directed by Anita Maynard-LoshCalled “the funniest farce ever written” Noises Off follows an acting company’s struggles to prepare and perform a British sex comedy called Nothing On. Everything that can go wrong does, as actors desperately try to hang on to their lines, their performances and the furniture, especially a hysterically slippery plate of sardines. Noises Off  earned Tony Award nominations for Best Play and will delight you with it’s lunacy!   
Sept. 28-29 & Oct. 4-6 - 7:30 pm • Sept. 30 & Oct. 7 - 3:00 pm
    High School Matinees - Oct. 2 & 3 - 10 am

    NOVEMBER/December 2012
Avenue Q, The Musical
Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, Book by Jeff Whitty  • Directed by Patti D’BeckAvenue Q is Broadway’s smash hit - winner of the 2004 Tony Awards for Best Musical. Featuring a cast of people and puppets who tell the story of adult life in NYC in a smart funny and downright raunchy way.  Avenue Q is the scrappy little musical that broke the rules with songs such as “It Sucks to Be Me” and “Schdenfreude”. These puppets may be inappropriate for children under 13, but for the rest of us, they are hilarious!   
Nov. 9-10, 15-17 & Nov. 29 - Dec 1 - 7:30 pm • Nov. 11, 18 & Dec. 2 - 3:00 pm 
    No High School Matinees
   
    FEBRUARY 2013
The Colored Museum
Written by George C. Wolfe • Directed by Tawnya Pettiford-WatesWritten by George C. Wolfe The Colored Museum’s sharp wit takes aim at stereotypes, self-loathing and assimilation within the African-American community. Created as a vaudevillian mosaic of “exhibits,” each one fearlessly spans the history of African American experience and culture, while mocking stereotypes. 26 years later, Wolfe’s funny and shocking themes still resonate with the hope that these are exhibits of the past, and not living moments or models for our future.   
Feb. 15 &16 & 21-23 - 7:30 pm  Feb. 17 & 24 - 3:00 pm
    High School Matinees - Feb. 19 & 20 - 10 am

    APRIL 2013
Sweeney Todd: The Play
Written by Christopher Bond • Directed by Barry BellDark, nightmarish and thrilling, Christopher Bond’s play (that Sondheim’s musical is based on) follows the barber, Sweeney Todd, as he plots his bloody revenge against the judge who betrayed and deported him on false charges. With the death of his wife, Sweeney takes revenge upon the corrupt society of Victorian London by dispatching his victims with a grisly slit to the throat in his barber chair. His landlady, Mrs. Lovett, hides the barber’s crimes with tasty meat pies. A tale of obsession,and a man driven to madness by injustice. 
    April 4 & 6, 11-13 & 18 - 20 -7:30 pm • April 7, 14 & 21 - 3:00 pm 
    High School Matinees - April 16 & 17 - 10 am