THESPIAN ALUMNI INTEREST GROUP Non-profit Org. Penn State Thespian Alumni Interest Group Penn State Alumni Association U.S. Postage Hintz Family Alumni Center P A I D University Park, PA 16802 State College, PA Permit No. 41 The Encore

VOLUME 10 NUMBER 1 October, 2010 From the Desk Do You Believe in Ghosts? of the Editor As Thespians, we all have known to scar a Thespian or TAIG Calendar spent countless hours in two out of Schwab. More recently, Alex Jones Welcome to the latest edition Schwab Auditorium, Eventu- (pledge class of Spring 2006) of The Encore ! After the suc- ally, most of us end up con- Mike Rogers (pledge class of had a terrifying experience November 11, 12, & 13 , 2010 cess of our last issue I would TAIG News & Notes sidering Schwab a second Fall 1995) was working in the when he attempted to stay be remiss to start without Connect with Thespians Online My Favorite Year home, but only some have costume shop late one night overnight in Schwab. After TAIG E-mail LISTSERV giving a special thank you to Facebook: Schwab Auditorium had encounters with the sup- while listening to the Little propping the girls’ dressing Guy Fissel (’77), Eric Minford Penn State Thespians Alumni Interest Group posed paranormal who share Shop of Horrors soundtrack. room door open with a chair We’ll be using the LISTSERV to send *reception details will be sent (group) (’76, ‘83 g), Tom O’Leary our home. His CD player slowed and and going to the bathroom, he reminders of show dates and an- Penn State Thespians (fan page) over the listserv (’08), Vince Roscioli (‘09) then stopped for no apparent returned to find the door Penn State Thespians (group) and Nick Semon (’07), for nouncements regarding TAIG activi- David Atlee (pledge class of reason. Mike told Schwabo closed and locked with the their contributions and sup- ties. If you would like to subscribe to November 13, 2010 (11 am EST) Spring 2002) spotted a small that he was going to listen to chair folded, leaning neatly the LISTSERV, please contact Stacy Twitter: port. psuthespians TAIG Meeting girl while he was working in his CD, so he turned the CD against the wall next to the Reck ’88 at [email protected] Hintz Alumni Hall the shop; others have seen a player back on and went back dressing room door. He pro- TAIG: With Halloween just around university janitor roaming the to work. To his dismay, his ceeded to Greenroom 10 and the corner, we decided to Rather receive this electronically? http://www.psualum.com/affiliate/thespians basement, and walking CD player stopped working turned the lights on, only to revisit Thespians old friend Send an e-mail to April 7, 8, & 9, 2011 through walls that did not ex- again, but this time accompa- have all of the lights in the “Schwabo,” the ghost of [email protected] and we Penn State Thespians: Jesus Christ Superstar ist prior to the renovations nied by banging pipes. This basement suddenly turn out – http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/thespians/ Schwab, and tell about some will take you off the mailing list. Schwab Auditorium after his death; even Presi- process was repeated a third accompanied once again by www.alumni.psu.edu/membership recent tricks he has played dent Atherton himself has time, and perhaps even a foreboding pipe banging. Af- on Thespians. I also wanted been seen wandering the fourth and a fifth – the exact ter going upstairs to turn the to bring the alumni profile halls within Schwab. The number has been lost to his- lights back on, he returned to come visit with your old friends (and I mean High School, presenting "Phantom of the back to The Encore , and the most common spirit, however, tory. After pressing play once the door of Greenroom 10 "old" in the kindest possible way). Please Opera" in May 2011; and he worked exten- newsletter committee found The Callboard is Schwabo – the ghost with- more, the power in the build- only to find that it, too, was add this to your schedule now. sively on the new arboretum at Penn State. the perfect alum to bring Thanks to everyone who took the time to out a face who ends up being ing went out and the emer- locked. After those experi-

share information for “The Callboard.” back this tradition– Ned blamed for most anything out gency lighting failed to turn ences, he (perhaps wisely) Tom O’Leary Luanne Russell retired at the end of April Startzel (class of 1941). of the ordinary, especially the on, which shouldn’t ever hap- gave up and ended up spend- [email protected] after 46 years in broadcasting, most recently If you would like to have something in- pipe banging in the base- pen. Mike decided to call it a ing the night in his car. cluded in our next issue, please send an e- at WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh. She serves as Thank you all for the won- ment. Schwabo has been night and leave Schwab. (Continued on page 3) mail to Andrea Schwander at secretary of the board of directors of the derful feedback on our June [email protected] Mary Beth Underwood Sallinger is heav- Pittsburgh Youth Chamber Orchestra, and is issue, and I hope you enjoy ily involved with the Pittsburgh New Works a cantor for Christ Lutheran Church in For- the contributions from your Festival, a series of original one-act plays est Hills. Luanne mixes all the paint colors fellow alumni. If you have Alum Profile: Jack of all trades—Ned Startzel The class of 1961 has begun work on presented over several weekends competing and helps to paint the sets for Woodland any ideas for articles, pic- their 50th reunion from Penn for awards in writing, presentation, direc- Hills High School's award-winning musi- tures, or information for the To paraphrase Ned Startzel, for Penn State to get an edu- Parrish, worked with Ned book- State. Please reserve the dates and make tion, and performances. She also serves on cals, this spring presenting Andrew Lloyd call-board I would love to class of 1941, “Thespians cation and whatever jobs he ing the big name bands into plans to attend and have a wonderful the Board of Penn Hills Arts and Music Weber's "Phantom of the Opera", and has hear it! just keep on going - like the could come by to pay for it. He major events for a tidy sum. time. You can even make reservations at Education (PHAME), which will soon be performed in the WHHS Alumni Caberet old Eveready™ battery”. Ned felt fortunate to get a position Jack Harper outfitted them with the Nittany Lion Inn at this time for June holding the 2010 Hall of PHAME induc- the last three years. Andrea Schwander (’10) is a perfect example: an or- waiting tables at MAC Hall three different outfits at cost, 2, 3, 4, 2011. Hope to see all former tion. This year's honorees include Eugene TAIG Newsletter Editor ganizer, writer, performer - a where all the sororities ate, including white tie and tails for Thespians there. Riechenfeld, Tom & Nora O'Steen, Brian Jim Jimirro Thespian Adviser 1961-1963 [email protected] man of many hats as a mem- working there for over 2 years formal events. Basset, and Frankie Czuri. is still conducting presentations on the Great ber of Thespians 70 years as an assistant head waiter. In Nancy Gilbert American Songbook all over the country ago and as the co-founder of addition, he worked as a typist But what Ned describes as the [email protected] Bob Vukich is designing this fall's Garden and on cruise ships around the world. the Spectacular Senior Fol- of anything he could find, took “cash cow” was the Penn State Railroad at Phipps Conservatory in Pitts- lies in Dallas, Texas today. care of the furnace at a frater- Stooges consisting of Ned,

burgh, opening October 16, 2010. He is Jim J's Jukebox....and the website is nity, and worked part-time eve- George Parrish, Roy Rogers, The '70s Penn State Thespians Reunion is also the designer of the Phipps Conserva- www.jimirro.com. Ned began his performing nings at the Penn State Diner. and Mike Brotman. They were a going to be during the spring Thespian tory 2011 Spring Flower Show. Bob is career at the age of 7 in ama- Then Ned found the Penn campus sensation, performing show, Jesus Christ Superstar, Friday, president of the board of directors of the teur shows and the dance State Thespians and met first in Old Main’s Little Theatre, April 8 thru Sunday, April 10. So put on Pittsburgh Youth Chamber Orchestra This publication is available in alternative media on request. schools his parents owned. “three crazy guys” with whom then various campus locations, your fancy clothes, your patent leathers, Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and (PYCO). He continues to work with the After spending freshman he formed the Penn State and in Thespian shows, of your beads and buckles and bows and the diversity of its workforce. award-winning musicals at Woodland Hills year, and most of his money, Stooges. One of them, George course. They wrote their own at Ithaca College, he headed (Continued on page 2) 2 The Encore The Encore 3

(Continued from page 1) Heart”. This year’s third edition is witty material and sang songs both When Ned graduated in 1941 with a “Sentimental Journey” and features a President’s Corner THESPIAN CONTRIBUTION FORM original and popular. Their first paying degree in business there was a war cast of 125 of the Dallas area’s most Name : ______job was at the Penn Belle Hotel in going on. The Penn State Stooges talented seniors with professional sets, First I'd like to welcome our new Board member, Address :______Bellefonte, and jobs came thick and split up and went into different costumes, and choreography. The show Andrea Schwander, Andrea is a 2010 grad and has City, St. Zip :______fast. There was a week’s trip through branches of the armed services with has 12 Follies girls, the oldest of whom server Thespians as President (2009-10) and as Sec- Telephone :______E-mail :______Bradford, Altoona, Sunbury, and Har- Ned spending five years of World War is 86. Proceeds will go to Meals and retary (2008-09). Andrea is now our Newsletter Edi- Cash Gift risburg. The Stooges became the toast Two in the Army Air Force as a statisti- Wheels and the Visiting Nurse Associa- tor. ____ Check enclosed payable to Penn State. of Pennsylvania, performing all over cal officer. He spent his working years tion. Rave reviews have praised the Note: Please indicate in the memo line of the check Penn State Thespians the state. In his senior year Ned saved after that in a non-entertainment field professionalism of the shows and the Thespians continues to experience financial chal- lenges. While the University does provide some Credit Card Gift several thousand dollars after ex- but never lost his love of performing. talent of the performers calling it “an ____ Please bill my credit card: MasterCard VISA Discover American Express penses! The Stooges had a friend and funds, these monies are not sufficient to stage two He and wife Elsie raised four daugh- outstanding evening of entertainment”. ______fan in Fred Waring who wanted the ters. Following retirement, Ned and The Spectacular Senior Follies has shows per year ($7000 per show just to use Schwab). Account Number Expiration Date Signature boys to go up to New York. They did Our mission this year will be to develop a strategy on Elsie travelled all over the country and even been invited to perform at Bran- Electronic Funds Transfer give a very special show backstage at into Canada in an RV. They also went son, Missouri. how to provide funding for the club. Your contribu- tions are very much appreciated and are used to pur- ____ Please make my gift via (EFT). Please deduct $______each month from my the Imperial Theatre in New York City, throughout Europe and elsewhere with account. I have attached a voided check. singing for Irving Berlin and Fred War- stops in such places as England and chase much-needed equipment. This past year your So what is Ned Startzell planning to do ______ing and their wives for 45 minutes. And New Zealand through Home Ex- next? In October he’ll be part of an donations provided a Stage Manager Kit and a sew- ing machine. A contribution form is provided in this Signature when Fred Waring played his last change. Ned has sung all over the free Army Honor Flight, a group of World The authorization to transfer the amount indicated shall remain in effect until I notify the bank or Penn round of golf in State College, he world with the Greater Dallas Rotary War Two vets being flown to Washing- Newsletter to the right of this article; please mail it to State. A record of the deduction will be made on the regular bank statement. A receipt for the total played it with Ned. Chorus, performing with them since ton, DC for five days to tour the city the Office of Annual Giving. amount will be sent at the end of each calendar year. In the event of an error, I have the right to reverse 1965. sites and visit the White House. And the gift with written notice. Three of the Stooges, Ned, George, soon it will be time to start planning and I encourage you to join our LISTSERV in order to Three Pledges and Mike roomed together in a third But his most recent theatrical achieve- fund-raising for the 2011 Spectacular receive additional communications regarding news ___I pledge a total gift of $1,000 or more and would like to spread the payments floor apartment across from the Corner ment was co-founding the Spectacular Senior Follies. At the age of 92, Ned and events such as receptions during show weekends. over 3 years. Room and wrote three original musi- Senior Follies in Dallas, a variety show walks 2 miles a day and takes no medi- Information on how to join the LISTSERV is found My 1st payment of $______is enclosed. 2nd Payment $______cals for Thespians including the all- featuring performers over 55 years old cations for any ailments. under TAIG News & Notes. Our Facebook page 3rd Payment $______Please send a reminder in the month of ______. male production “Danger: Men At and music of the 1930’s and 40’s. In (Penn State Thespian Alumni Interest Group) also Signature:______Work” which won first prize in 1941 for 2007 Ned called Mark Carroll, a local Like Thespians and that battery, Ned provides this information and photos (old and new). Date:______best college musical. Ned’s dancing musician who shared his dream of Startzel keeps on going-entertaining, And if you are close enough, please attend a Thes- _____ My company’s matching gift form is enclosed. XXXXX/AAXXOO partner at Penn State was Marcie starting a senior follies group. Mark enjoying life, and spreading the joy of pian production. Please complete this form and mail to: Stringer who had danced with Gene eventually signed on as artistic direc- musical performance. He truly is a jack Office of Annual Giving Guy Fissel. ‘77 Penn State University Kelly in high school and later went on tor and Ned got busy fund-raising. In of all trades, and has mastered every- 17 Old Main to a Broadway career. There are so 2008 the Spectacular Senior Follies hit thing he put his mind to. [email protected] University Park, PA 16802 many stories of the Stooges pranks the stage with the show “As Time and successes that they’ll have to wait Goes By”. In 2009, they presented Luanne M Russell, ‘63 and be another story in The Encore . four performances of “Young At [email protected] TAIG Gift Fund Report (Continued from page 1) The Gift Fund consists of all funds donated to Thespians by alumni, and the use of While it is debated the actual origin of The Encore is a publication of the Penn State these funds for purchases (usually capital expenditures) is overseen by the Executive Schwabo and if he was a real person, though Thespian Alumni Interest Group (TAIG). Ques- Committee of the Thespian AIG. When the active membership comes upon a pur- most consider him to be President Atherton, tions and comments regarding the content of this chase that they think is an appropriate use of the TAIG Gift Fund, they submit a pro- Schwabo has become part of Thespian tradi- publication as well as suggestions for future arti- posal, which is reviewed and subsequently recommended or not recommended by tion. These ghost stories of Schwab are leg- cles may be sent to Andrea Schwander (‘10), the TAIG Executive Committee. ends that will not easily be forgotten. Our Schwabo stories caught the eye of the Para- TAIG Newsletter Editor at Over the years, the TAIG Gift Fund has seen over $68 thousand in donations from normal Research Society at Penn State. They [email protected] investigated with their equipment and were alumni and has been used to support a number of capital expenses, worth nearly $33 thousand. These expenses have included sewing machines, lighting equipment, wire- less than impressed with what they found, Questions regarding TAIG may be sent to TAIG less microphones, and power tools. The TAIG Gift Fund has even been used to help ultimately deciding there is not strong paranor- President Guy Fissel ‘77 at the Center for Performing Arts install upgrades to the lighting and sound equipment mal activity in Schwab. Some of the younger [email protected] in Schwab Auditorium (in exchange for reduced rates when using that equipment). alumni will tell you its because Schwabo only appears for those that believe in him and is 20102010----20112011 TAIG Board Members not easily coaxed out by tricks such as calling Thanks to your generous support, the TAIG Gift Fund has seen a valuable increase in donations since the last newsletter. We encourage you to join in or renew your for him or playing “Little Shop of Horrors.” Guy Fissel ‘77, President Nick Semon ‘07, Vice President support by clipping out the form on page 3 and mailing it into the Office of Annual Giving. Your donations help sustain the valuable tradition of student-run theatre on Whatever the ultimate ruling of Schwabo may Stacy L. Reck, ‘88, Secretary the Penn State campus. be, as long as these stories continue to be Vincent Roscioli ‘09, Treasurer passed down from pledge class to pledge Erin G. Albrecht, ‘04, Historian Questions regarding the TAIG Gift Fund can be sent to: class, it ensures that our past will remain inter- Diane Bongiorni Vince Roscioli ‘09 twined with our future. Fred Leuschner, ‘50 TAIG Treasurer Eric Minford, ‘76, ‘83 (g) [email protected] Eliza Altenderfer , ‘12 Picture of the cast from the 1954 production of Funny Side Up . This was back in the Tom O’Leary, ‘08 Penn State Thespians Historian Alumni Liaison day when Thespians wrote their own musicals. Many thanks to Dave Schofield for Luanne M. Russell, ‘63 2010-2011 sharing this memory! William A. Schwab, ‘01 Andrea Schwander, ‘10 Ruth Yeaton, ‘53, ‘59 (g)