It was RTCC night in Richmond and Theatre VCU was there!

Sunday October 19th was RTCC night (Richmond Theatre Critic's Circle Awards)

Here are all the nominated and the winners - with Theatre VCU highlighted (of course):

Best Direction (Musical): Chase Kniffen, The Color Purple

Robin Arthur, Shrek the Musical

Josh Marin

Penny Ayn Maas, Cabaret

Richard Parison, Fiddler on the Roof

Tom Width, The Drowsy Chaperone

Best Actor (Musical): Josh Marin, The Color Purple

David Benoit, Fiddler on the Roof

Ronnie Brown, Shrek the Musical

Chris Hester, Cabaret

Jason Marks, Shrek the Musical

Jerold Solomon, The Color Purple

Best Actress (Musical): Felicia Curry, The Color Purple

Grey Garrett, Beyond the Rainbow, Swift Creek Mill

Christie Jackson, The Drowsy Chaperone

Nicole Oberleitner, Caberet

Aly Wepplo, Shrek the Musical

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Musical): Doug Schneider, Cabaret

Steve King, The Drowsy Chaperone

Josh Marin, The Wild Party, Firehouse Theatre

Matt Shofner, The Drowsy Chaperone

Scott Wichmann, Olympus on my Mind, Virginia Repertory Theatre

Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Musical): Jeanie Rule, Cabaret

Carolyn Meade, The Wild Party

Carolyn Minor-Daughtry, The Color Purple

Nicole Oberleitner, The Drowsy Chaperone

Desiree Roots, The Color Purple

Best Musical Direction: Paul Deiss, The Drowsy Chaperone

Kim Fox, Cabaret

Ben Miller, The Color Purple

Ben Miller, The Wild Party

Anthony Smith, Fiddler of the Roof

Best Choreography: Leslie Owens-Harrington, The Color Purple

Robin Arthur, Shrek the Musical

Dennis Clark, The Drowsy Chaperone

Karen Getz, Fiddler on the Roof

Penny Ayn Maas, Cabaret

Best Play: Clybourne Park, Cadence Theatre (collaboration with Virginia Rep)

The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, Firehouse Theatre (aka ‘Chad Deity’)

Good People, Cadence Theatre (collaboration with Virginia Rep)

Joshua Plant, Chamberlayne Actors Theatre

Quality of Life, HATTheatre

Best Direction (Play): Keri Wormald, Clybourne Park

Anna Johnson, Detroit, Cadence Theatre (collaboration with Virginia Rep)

Anna Johnson, Good People

Kerry McGee, Chad Deity

David Emerson Toney, ‘night, Mother, Firehouse Theatre

Best Actor (Play): Scott Wichmann, Say Goodnight Gracie

Joseph Carlson, A Streetcar Named Desire, Firehouse Theatre

Jeff Cole, Wittenberg, Henley Street/Richmond Shakespeare

Aaron Orensky, Joshua Plant

Alexander Sapp, Grace, TheatreLAB

Best Actress (Play): Catherine Shaffner, ‘night, Mother

Eva DeVirgilis, Hypocrites & Strippers, Richmond Triangle Players

McLean Jesse, Clybourne Park

Katrinah Carol Lewis, Death & the Maiden, Henley Street/Richmond Shakespeare

Dawn A. Westbrook, Good People

Mauricio Marces, Nicklas Aliff, Joe Carlson

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Play): TIE: Mauricio Marces, Chad Deity & Alexander Sapp, Richard III

Andrew Firda, Clybourne Park

Stephen Ryan, The Importance of Being Earnest, Henley Street/Richmond

Shakespeare/Richmond Triangle Players

Alexander Sapp, Tartuffe, Virginia Repertory Theatre

Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Play): Jacquie O’Connor, Good People

Jennifer Frank, The Dixie Swim Club, Swift Creek Mill

Melissa Johnston Price, Other Desert Cities, Virginia Repertory Theatre

Debra Wagoner, Tartuffe

Raven Wilkes, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Henley Street/Richmond Shakespeare

The Ernie McClintock Award for Best Ensemble Acting: The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity

Clybourne Park

Detroit

Grace

Quality of Life

Most Promising Newcomer: TIE Grace Mincks, Beyond the Rainbow & Diego Salinas, Joshua Plant

Isabella Cipolina, The Miracle Worker, Swift Creek Mill

Ally Dodds, Fiddler on the Roof

Brad Frazier, Tartuffe

Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design: Geno Brantley, Chad Deity

Joe Doran, The Drowsy Chaperone

Joe Doran, The Color Purple

Lynne M. Hartman, Other Desert Cities

Robert Perry, Fiddler on the Roof

Elizabeth Hopper

Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design: Elizabeth Weiss Hopper, Shrek the Musical

Maura Lynch Cravey, The Drowsy Chaperone

Sue Griffin, The Color Purple

Sue Griffin, Fiddler on the Roof

Sue Griffin, Tartuffe

Outstanding Achievement in

Set Design: Ben Burke, Other Desert Cities

Tennessee Dixon, Death & the Maiden

Frank Foster, Cabaret

Ron Keller, Color Purple

Tom Width, The Drowsy Chaperone

Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design: Joey Luck, Cabaret

Andrew Craig, Death & the Maiden

Derek Dumais, The Color Purple

Chase Kniffen, Say Goodnight Gracie

Joey Luck, Chad Deity

Only one week left for you to see Theatre VCU's beautiful production of MACBETH!

Theatre VCU's Macbeth has everything 

that makes live theatre fun…. and exciting!

Take a look…

Sexiness….

Lots and Lots of Blood

Comedy…. yes. really...

Fighting….

More Fighting…..

Bloody Ghosts…..

And Macbeth Madness.

 One last week.

Don't miss MACBETH

Look Who's On a National Tour!!

Our very own Tony Tillman (BFA Performance 2013) is on the Mamma Mia! National Tour!

Tony is playing Eddie. Take a look at his career on the Mamma Mia! site: http://www.mammamiaontour.com/mm/mamma-mia-cast-creative.asp#

Let us know how it's going Tony!

Reminder to all current 

Theatre VCU students:

Next Thursday, September 25 is MACBET's open night

That night only tickets are $5.00 for all Theatre VCU students! 

Buy your tickets now at the Box Office 

& be sure to bring your student ID!

Dress up and join the celebration! There will be a reception in the lobby following the show.

We will all be there to support the hard work of the Macbeth cast and crew!

News From VA REP to 

ALL VCU Students 

We are holding seats for VCU students for the evening of Friday, October 3 for $14.  The students can call 282-2620 and pay for their seat as a part of this group.  

VCU students are invited to join UR students that evening at 6:45 for a reception and comments by Bruce Miller and Jan Powell.    

Students who cannot attend that evening can attend any performance for $10.  That rate is only good day of show but there should be tickets.  

Other adults in the VCU community - faculty, alumni, etc can use this code for a $5 discount for any show by using the code VCUSHAKES online or at the box office.

Here's more about the show:

It is 1606, and Shakespeare has been commanded to write a propaganda play about the Gunpowder Plot, in service to King James. Will he agree to be a pawn in the cynical gamesmanship of the king’s spymaster, or will he equivocate—lie by telling the truth? The playwright, his acting company, and a variety of historical figures clash in this high-stakes political thriller about the complexities of the truth and the terrible consequences of compromise. Read the Press Release (PDF)

“One of the most bracingly intelligent, sizzlingly theatrical American plays in a decade.” Variety

So… Did you find the certificates yet? One more to go….

Clue for the fourth and final certificate for TWO FREE tickets to Cuckoo's Nest:

ps… if it isn't found by 2:00pm today I will give a more detailed clue

"A place to find textbooks and other things. In one of 3 hardbacks the tickets lay. Here's one more hint to light your way: this place sold subs but now only coffee in the same place the those tickets lay."

Because of inclement weather Theatre VCU is postponing our Opening Night to 

Saturday, February 15 • 7:30 pm

All tickets already purchased (including BOGO & GroupOn) will be honored.

Call the Theatre VCU Box Office at 804-828-6026 

or email Theatretix@vcu.edu.

THIS SHOW IS WORTH SLOGGING THROUGH THE SNOW.

The work is beautiful & heartbreaking!

Theatre as "noise maker" - read this interview with Cuckoo's Nest director, Ed Herendeen

How is a 1963 play based on a Ken Kesey novel relevant to today’s audience?

It’s true that Cuckoo’s Nest is set in a mental institute located in the northwest in the early 60’s – even though it’s 50 years old it is certainly neither a period piece or just a play about the mental health industry. It is a microcosm of society – today’s society. Its core concept is about rebellion and change - Rebellion against conformity. - Rebellion against a repressive society.

Through his work, Ken Kesey bridged the gap between the “Beat Generation” of the 1950’s and the “Counter Culture” generation of the 1960’s. This play was produced on the cusp of the civil rights, women’s rights, and the anti-war movements. And while Cuckoo’s Nest did expose the mistreatment of the mentally ill, it also explores how religious and government repression leads to revolution.  When the “rebel” Randle P. McMurphy chooses a short sentence in a mental hospital over prison time he stands up against the tyranny of Nurse Ratched’s oppression.  McMurphy represents freedom and non-conformity, and while he suffers the consequences of taking a stand, his fellow

inmates are emotionally liberated.

Cuckoo’s Nest relates to this generation in so many ways. It speaks to so many questions – privacy; our mistrust of government; how our every movement and conversation is being recorded; how much power do we have to direct our lives. It provides the audience with questions – Is McMurphy a Christ figure? What is freedom? In this society, who are the insane people? What makes a hero?

What is your process in creating this world on stage?

After doing the research about the play, the novel, the era it was created, the authors, etc. I move into developing a concept., begin working with the designers, and start creating the world of the play

Cuckoo’s Nest is a character driven play. Our actors have developed in-depth back-stories of the characters they play. It is a perfect vehicle for these young pre-professional actors. By analyzing their character they can bring the characters to life to tell their stories. In live theatre we are all “creators of belief” and when belief is created, the power is transformative and spellbinding. The audience is swept into the world created on stage. Both the actors and the audience are in a state of belief together - in the moment – only live theatre can create this forum for a living conversation.

Like McMurphy, those of us in theatre should be “noise makers”. Asking questions, challenging our ideas.  To paraphrase Stephan Dietz, the playwright:  "We can learn more from someone's fury than we can from community approved sanitized art. American theatre needs more hand grenades.”  Theatre VCU’s production of Cuckoo’s Nest will be one of those hand grenades.

IF we are here tomorrow…...

Masquerade Bake Sale in PAC

TOMORROW

January 22

10 am- 2 pm

We still need some Bakers!!!

Please help the Ball by baking and buying!

We've got a hit here! People are raving about HAIRSPRAY!

No. I'm not talking reviews in the New York Times (we're a bit off their radar) or even the Richmond Times Dispatch (they won't review university productions")...

We're talking about the folks pouring out of the theatre at the end of the three shows of opening weekend (three SOLD OUT shows).

VCU Students love HAIRSPRAY! 

Pollack Society love HAIRSPRAY! 

Richmond loves HAIRSPRAY!

We know that parking is always difficult around Theatre VCU - to relieve the stress go to  https://vcu.clickandpark.com/event https://vcu.clickandpark.com/event  and pay in advance for a spot at the NN lot (across the street from the Broad St. Deck on Harrison St. - where the old Ukrops used to be). Affordable ($6.00) and stressless AND you will get to the show on time!!

If you are a VCU faculty or staff member Thursday, Nov. 14th is BOGO night! Buy one ticket - Get one FREE. Order your tickets now (they're going fast). In order to qualify you need a VCU ID, and because of popular demand it's only 2 tickets per customer. It's VCU Appreciation Night for all the hardworking employees from both campuses. 


Reminder to all our fabulous First -Year students - this friday is FIRST-YEAR FRIDAY. 

All first-year Theatre VCU parents are invited to spend a day with their student  with the grand finale  - FREE tickets for HAIRSPRAY! We even provide lunch for all of you!

This is a great opportunity for parents to find out what you are learning as a Theatre major. Special presentations with lots of time for parental Q&A's. This is a memorable day for every first-year student and their parents. It's not too late to make reservations!!  Email Bonnie McCoy at bsmccoy@vcu.edu or give her a call at 804-828-6026 and she will save a spot for you!

ONE WEEK until HAIRSPRAY OPENS!!

 Theatre VCU's production of HAIRSRAY is in tech - 

First Dress is this Sunday!

The set is coming along...

 The band is onstage rehearsing with the cast.

Best of all...

there are Stage Managers in onsies.

Also

This is also happening:

Ron Keller & Toni-Leslie James

speaking at a forum on design and performance

Nov. 5 at the VCU Common Theater, 907 Floyd Ave.

FREE & FASCINATING

" There IS no weakness in having a theatre background. There is only strength." - This is Great!!

Thank you to Brian Baez (PBF Performance Theatre VCU 2008)

9 Ways a Theatre Degree Trumps a Business Degree

September 13, 2013 — 

Some of you may know this about me, some may not. Despite having spent the last 15 years as a PR & communications professional, my college degree is in theatre. I have never in my life taken a marketing class, or a journalism class, or a business class. Yet, by most measures, I’m enjoying a successful career in business.  ”So what?” you ask… read on.

I was having a conversation with a friend this week. She’s an actress. Like most actresses, she also has a Day Job that she works to pay the bills between acting jobs. This is the reality for most working actors in LA, New York and the other major centers of the entertainment industry. She was pointing out to me that she viewed her theatre background as a weakness in her Day Job career field, and that it was holding her back. She asked for my advice.

My advice? There IS no weakness in having a theatre background. There is only strength. Here are just a few skills that a theatre degree gave me that have served me enormously well in business:

You have advanced critical thinking and problem solving skills: taking a script and translating it into a finished production is a colossal exercise in critical thinking. You have to make tremendous inferences and intellectual leaps, and you have to have a keen eye for subtle clues. (believe it or not, this is a skill that very few people have as finely honed as the theatre people I know. That’s why I listed it #1).

You’re calm in a crisis: You’ve been on stage when somebody dropped a line and you had to improvise to keep the show moving with a smile on your face, in front of everyone. Your mic died in the middle of a big solo musical number. You just sang louder and didn’t skip a beat.

You understand deadlines and respect them: Opening Night is non-negotiable. Enough said.

You have an eye on audience perception: You know what will sell tickets and what will not. This is a very transferrable skill, and lots of theatre people underestimate this, because they think of theatre as an ART, and not as a BUSINESS. I frequently say (even to MBA-types) that theatre was absolutely the best business education I could have gotten. While the business majors were buried in their books and discussing theory, we were actually SELLING a PRODUCT to the PUBLIC. Most business majors can get through undergrad (and some MBA programs, even) without ever selling anything. Theater departments are frequently the only academic departments on campus who actually sell anything to the public. Interesting, isn’t it?

You’re courageous: If you can sing “Oklahoma!” in front of 1,200 people, you can do anything.

You’re resourceful: You’ve probably produced “The Fantasticks” in a small town on a $900 budget. You know how to get a lot of value from minimal resources.

You’re a team player: You know that there are truly no small roles, only small actors. The show would fail without everyone giving their best, and even a brilliant performance by a star can be undermined by a poor supporting cast. We work together in theatre and (mostly) leave our egos at the stage door. We truly collaborate.

You’re versatile: You can probably sing, act, dance. But you can also run a sewing machine. And a table saw. And you’ve probably rewired a lighting fixture. You’ve done a sound check. You’re good with a paintbrush. 

You’re not afraid to get your hands dirty for the benefit of the show. In short, you know how to acquire new skills quickly.

You’re flexible: you’ve worked with some directors who inspired you. Others left you flat, but you did the work anyway. Same goes with your fellow actors, designers and stagehands… some were amazing and supportive, others were horrible and demoralizing to work with (we won’t name names). You have worked with them all. And learned a little something from every one of them.

These are the top reasons I’ve found my theatre degree to be a great background for a business career. What are yours?

What a wonderful radio interview with John Ogle with the stars and director of Love Letters

Listen HERE for John Ogle's interview.


Join us this weekend for a love story.

Saturday - 7:30 pm

Sunday - 

A weekend of Love Letters at Theatre VCU - OPENS THIS WEEKEND FOR 2 NIGHTS ONLY!

Two Wonderful Nights of Theatre:

Starring the much beloved Nancy F. Langston, former VCU School of Nursing Dean, and internationally renowned expert in infectious diseases Richard P. Wenzel.

The emotionally intimate play covers the lifetime of its two characters without ever changing scene. Melissa and “Andy” sit at opposite ends of a table reading letters they have written to each other, starting in grade school and continuing through the subsequent decades. There’s no actual interaction between the two. It sounds like a personal and difficult play for even the most seasoned actors, which, paradoxically, is exactly why Leong cast Wenzel and Langston rather than experienced theater students.

“The (characters) are I’m guessing in their 60s maybe when they’re doing the play,” Wenzel said. “So it would be harder for a 20-year-old to do that role. I think just having life experiences that we share in a sense and recognizing the exchange that the two characters have — it’s very real.”

For Langston, who has not acted since high school, the role was a little daunting. But through previous collaborations, Leong knew she could take direction well and possessed the right kind of presence and sincerity for the role.

“I’m pretty good at delivering speeches, presentations and stuff,” Langston said. “I’ve never had to do anything other than speak from the heart.”

And that’s all that Leong wants from his actors.

Love Letters - A journey of the heart.

What great coverage in VCU News!

Go HERE to read a wonderful article appearing VCU News, written by Leila Ugincius, about this weekend’s production of  LOVE LETTERS starring Dr. Richard Wenzel & Dr. Nancy Langston!

One of the quotes says it all:

“When you go to see a movie, read a book, you want to go on a journey, you want a story and you want to go on a journey. You want all the ups and downs. This play takes you on the journey and this play takes you on the journey of your life. Every person in the audience, they will be taken on a journey of their life and that’s what’s wonderful about it.”

Love Letters will be shown on Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sept. 15 at 3 p.m. in the Raymond Hodges Theatre of the W.E. Singleton Performing Arts Center, 922 Park Ave.

For ticket information, visit http://www.showclix.com, email theatretix@vcu.edu 

or call (804) 828-6026.

People News from Theatre VCU - Check Out THESE Alums & Faculty!!

Kenann's beautiful costume drawing for Theatre VCU's production of The Grapes of Wrath

Our 
People:


Kenann Quander (MFA 10)
is the new associate professor in Costume Design
at Hampton University. Great news!








Joshua Boone (Performance BFA 2010) just completed a workshop of  Holler if Ya' Hear Me - keep an eye out for where that production may go.

Josh also appeared in the New York Musical Theatre Festival production of Central Avenue Breakdown - WINNER OF  THE DAEGU INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL FESTIVAL PRODUCTION AWARD  and WINNER OF FOUR NYMF 2011 AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

Here is his bio from the show's website 

Joshua Boone is a native of Portsmouth, Virginia and a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a BFA in Theatre Performance. Some of his credits include Felony Friday (NY Fringe Encores), Cutman: A Boxing Musical (Goodspeed), Well (Barksdale), Thunder and Lightning (staged reading), A Raisin in the Sun, Smokey Joe’s Café, Ain’t Misbehavin’. He is excited to be a part of the cast for Central Avenue Breakdown and the amazing journey the show is on. Many thanks to God, family, friends, Professional Artists, and Stevie Wonder. Always grateful for an opportunity.
See more at: http://www.centralavenuebreakdown.com/2012_dimfnymf_cast/#sthash.jm0zgJtW.dpuf

Vanessa Leuck (MFA Costume Design) is the Costume Designer for the Orlando Fringe Festival hit musical DISENCHANTED!, playing at The Abbey in downtown Orlando September 19 through October 27. 

DISENCHANTED! is the story of six bold women who refuse to be damsels in distress any longer. Snow White and her angry band of storybook friends are “storming the castle” in order to take their lives back, with Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Hua Mulan, The Little Mermaid, Pocahontas and more all brought to life, singing the truth about the “once-upon-a-time girls.” 

VANESSA LEUCK (Costume Designer) is a New York City based costume designer with over twelve years experience designing for musicals, plays, dance, and large-scale productions. She is incredibly happy to be part of the ‘DISENCHANTED!’ team. Other favorite designs include: ‘Disney on Ice: Let’s Celebrate’ (International Tour), ‘Annie’ (Sierra Repertory Theatre), ‘American Icons’ (American Music Theatre) and several productions with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. In addition to designing she has assisted on: ‘The Little Mermaid’ (Broadway), ‘Ringling Brother’s Circus’ (5 productions), ‘Disney on Ice’ (National Tour), and ‘Disney Live!’ (International Tour). Vanessa holds an MFA in Costume Design from Virginia Commonwealth University and is a member of United Scenic Artists 829. www.vanessaleuckcostumes.com




Isn’t that 
Dallas Tolentino (Performance BFA 2010) in Synetic Theater’s production of The Picture of Dorian Gray?

September 26 >> November 3, 2013
Directed by Paata Tsikurishvili

Fearing the ravages of time and realizing the impermanence of youth, Dorian Gray makes a fateful wish–that his almost supernaturally lifelike portrait grow old while he remains forever young and beautiful. Synetic’s inventiveness and unforgettable visuals will elevate Oscar Wilde’s fantastical story to yet another level.

Check out 
Joe Carlson & Dallas Tolentino  

at Synetic Theater’s appearance at The Kennedy Center’s Page to Stage Festival, you will get to see a Synetic Company warm up/technique led by Choreographer Irina Tsikurishvili Followed by a showing of Scenes in progress from the up coming show The Picture of Dorian Gray

Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates is doing beautiful work in South Africa during her sabbatical. She is  teaching:

Production Module Drama 203/303: We are devising a new work 
Acting 304: Honors Scene Study Unit 
PostModernism: Tutorials Unit on Identity 
The ARTS and Practice: Upper Level Unit on Multiculturalism 

More From Dr. T later.

One last alumni:
Check out the photographic work of Timothy Nathaniel Douglas (Performance BFA 2011) on this website: http://binggraphic.com/portfolio/crossroads-micky/

This is a MFA thesis work of a graphic designer called BING,  Tim was his model for a series of photos set during WWII. The photographs are stunning. 
Worth a look!

Send the Bloginator 
your news 
(gmbrannan@vcu.eduand you will see it on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest... you know... everywhere.