The Theatre Arts Management Shop at Catawba College Shuford School of Performing Arts Presents:

MC EPPTHE HOUSE: SPOTLIGHT CATAWBA COLLEGE 2300 West Innes St. Nov/Dec 2013 Vol 20, No. 3 www.catawba.edu/theatrearts Salisbury, NC 28144 TELEPHONE (704) 637-4481 EMAIL THEATREARTS @CATAWBA.EDU

Co-Editor: Verity Pryor-Harden Happy Holidays! [email protected] Co-Editor: Pen Chance [email protected]

THIS MONTH

PREVIOUS PRODUCTION: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Get an inside look at our recent musical, Little Shop of Horrors! Continued on Page 2

DIRECTING 1 SCENES Here from our student directors from this semesters Holly Fuller, Maggie Saunders, Jean White, & Terrell Jones in “Little Shop of Horrors” Directing 1 Showcase! (photo by Tracy Ratliff) Continued on Page 5

DIRECTING 1 SCENES/DANCE ENSEMBLE Have a look at some upcoming end of semester performances! Continued on Page 6

Get an inside look at Dance Ensemble ALUMNUS OF THE MONTH ALUMNUS OF THE MONTH: JODYE CARROLL Meet our Catawba Theatre Alumnus of the Month! Continued on Page 8

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Catawba College’s Shuford School of Performing Arts first musical of Cast & Crew the season will be Little Shop of Horrors. It tells the story of a shy and awkward employee, Seymour, who discovers an unknown plant that brings sudden Seymour: Terrell Jones success to a small, run-down flower shop on Skid Row. But how much will that Audrey: Leanna Hicks fame cost Seymour and the rest of Skid Row? Will Seymour be willing to pay Mr. Mushnick: Caleb Garner the price? Orin, the Dentist: Pen Chance* Little Shop of Horrors opened off-Broadway at the Orpheum Theatre on July 27, The Trio: Maggie Saunders*, Jean White, 1982. When it closed on November 1, 1987, it was the third-longest running Holly Fuller musical and the highest-grossing off-Broadway production. It won several Voice of Audrey II: Daniel Brown awards including the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical and the Outer Critics Circle Award. Also the winner of the Drama Desk The Plant-Puppeteer: Lara Williams* Award for Outstanding Musical, this up-beat rock musical gets your attention Male Swing: Jordan Abbatiello with its light-hearted music but draws you in with the darker story it tells. Female Swing: Michelle Newberger* Seymour starts the action of the story when he presents his latest botanical Director: Joe Hernandez discovery, the Audrey II, named for his attractive female co-worker. When the shop’s owner, Mr. Mushnik, takes Audrey’s advice to put Seymour’s plant on Choreographer: Meredith Fox display, his dying flower shop is brought back to life and thrives. However, we Musical Director: John Stafford soon realize that the the employees of the shop may not be the ones in control. Asst. Director: Allison Andrews* Stage Manager: Forest Fugate The musical offers music by Alan Menken and book and lyrics by Howard Asst. Stage Managers: Sam Erwin, Victoria Ashman. It is based on the 1960 horror film of the same name, directed by Whetzel Roger Corman.

- Maggie Saunders ‘15 * Denotes membership in the Alpha Psi Omega Dramatic Honors Society

Holly Fuller, Maggie Saunders, Jean White, & Terrell Jones in “Little Shop of Horrors” (photo by Tracy Ratliff) (photo by Tracy Ratliff)

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Broadway musical Little Shop of Horrors. MFA and was a member of the This piece, which he also produced with professional acting company. Ashman, earned him a Drama Desk Ashman moved to New York Award nomination followed by a following his graduation and in 1976, his successful film adaptation and later, a play The Confirmation, was produced at Broadway room. Princeton’s McCarter Theater. As a Despite his many live theatrical founder and Artistic Director of the credits, Menken is best known for his WPA Theater, he conceived, wrote and work over the past two decades with Walt directed a musical adaptation of Kurt Disney Pictures in which he scored Vonnegut’s God Bless You. Mr. Rosewater numerous animated films including The with music by Alan Menken. Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, In 1982, he cpnceived Little Shop Pocahontas, Hercules, Tangled etc… He has of Horrors, again which he wrote and Alan Menken also written music for live-action Disney directed with music by Alan Menken. ...was born on July 22, 1949 in films such as Newsies and Enchanted. The musical, based upon Roger New York City to a Jewish family. His During his time with Walt Corman’s 1960s-era horror film was mother and father, Judith and Norman Disney Pictures, he has won eight immediately successful, and it soon Menken, encouraged his musical studies Academy Awards (only composer Alfred became a New York “must see” playing from an early age and Alan pursued Newman and Walt Disney have received for five years Off-Broadway at the piano and violin as a result. He is more Oscars than Menken. He Orpheum Theater in Lower Manhattan. quoted, saying “"Growing up, I was currently holds the record for the most It was revived on Broadway in 2003 and surrounded by a family that loved wins for a living person and was named a is currently one of the most produced Broadway musicals", says Menken, Disney Legend in 2001. shows in American high schools. "Regularly, we gathered around my Menken and his wife, Janis, a Turning his talents toward film, father at the piano, and as he played and former professional ballet dancer, reside Ashman was essential in the resurgence we sang, the house was filled with the in upstate New York with their two of Disney’s animated musicals including sounds of Rodgers and Hart, the young children, Anna and Nora. films such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty Gershwins, Rodgers and Hammerstein, and the Beast, and Aladdin, all with music Frank Loesser, Lerner and Loewe, and by Alan Menken. all the other great Broadway songwriters. Ashman had been diagnosed As a child, I was introduced to the power HIV positive in 1988 and during the of the American musical through shows work on Beauty and the Beast, had many like My Fair Lady, Fiorello, and The Sound of animators flown to New York to work Music".” He attended college as a pre- because he was too weak to travel. After med student, but later changed direction the first screening of Beauty and the Beast and attended New York University’s in 1991, the animators visited Howard in Steinhardt Studio. the hospital where he was 80 pounds, Following college, Alan nearly blind and almost unable to speak. performed frequently in local clubs and Producer Don Hahn leaned over to worked as a composer of jingles and Ashman and said, "Beauty and the Beast is songs as an accompanist. Before long, he going to be a great success. Who'd have met Howard Ashman in New York in Howard Ashman thought it?", to which Ashman replied 1979 when Ashman, artistic director of with "I would have." Four days later, on the small WPA Theater, was looking for ...was born in Baltimore, March 14, Ashman died following a composer to work with him on a Marlyand on May 17, 1950. The son of complications from AIDS at the age of musical version of Kurt Vonnegut's God Shirley Thelma and Raymond Albert 40 in New York City. Bless You, Mr. Rosewater. Although the Ashman, he graduated from Goddard show was well received, he achieved College in 1974. He also attended -Emily Olszewski ’15 greater success with the 1982 Off- Indiana University where he received his

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BEHIND THE SCENES: Litle Shop of Horrors

“Down on Skid Row”

“And our fall musical will be…..Little Shop of Horrors”, seriously, cue the angel choir and clash of symbols was basically what was going on inside my head when I heard this information. Little Shop of Horrors has always been one of my favorite musicals. One, because Alan Menken (who writes basically all the music for Disney movies which, yes, I happen to know by heart) wrote the music for this show and Audrey is one of my dream roles…..no really, I have a list of dream roles so I am able to check that off my “Role To- Do List”. This experience has been rewarding and extremely challenging. Being at this school, I have learned many techniques in acting that I never even thought would benefit Leanna Hicks played Audrey in “Little Shop of me until I came here. It’s incredible all the information I never knew! Coming in as a, Horros” at Catawba College possibly, overly-eager freshman who was ready to do anything and everything involving theatre, I hit the ground running. I was given opportunities in the freshman showcase, ten minute scenes and one acts! All of which I loved being involved in, but still I hoped I would be cast in a main-stage show and HUZZAH it happened. Yes, you assumed correctly, the minute I saw that I was cast as “Audrey”; I immediately fell to the ground and wept tears of joy. Over-dramatic? Maybe so, but I am a theatre person so that’s par for the course. I have seen this show many times and have heard the soundtrack many times, so I went in to the first rehearsal really excited and ready to do what I had always seen…..HOLD UP! I soon realized that we were taking this show and making it entirely different. I had to erase what I had seen all before and create a whole new character….that’s hard y’all. When you dig deeper into the text, you find so many hidden facts about the character that you never saw before. I thought I knew Audrey, but clearly I had just seen the surface. She is a much deeper character than what I thought. Normally, I have always seen her as a skinny, blonde haired, ditsy girl who had a high pitched voice and most of the time spoke with a New York dialect. When really, she’s a broken girl who has dreams and passions that she wishes she could achieve, but knows she probably won’t. This concept is hard for any actor to grasp, especially when you’re pretty happy with your life at the moment. This is why it has been an extremely difficult, but rewarding challenge. There are so many different ways I can play this role and stretch myself and my abilities as an actor. From movement of the body to the voice to the facial expressions you make all go into how this character comes alive on stage. Well ladies and gentlemen, I’m gonna let you in on a little secret….I’m not perfect. I know it’s shocking news, but it’s true….I’m still working on who Audrey is every day. I have found different characteristics of her each night. As an actor, you should never stop searching, never stop learning and most importantly never be afraid to fail. If there is anything that I have learned in this process, it is to be bold and make BIG choices. Sure, they may not be the right ones, but it’s something challenging and different…and exciting! I am so incredibly proud of the talented group of people in this show and all who are involved in making this show, our show, so amazing. It’s been a long road, but we made it and I am so excited to tell this story with everyone.

-Leanna Hicks ’16

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Directng 1 Scenes

Each semester, the Directing 1 class goes through the process of auditioning, directing, and showcasing an individual scene of their choosing. Below is some information about those scenes.

Matt Ensley

My scene is from I Hate Hamlet by Paul Rudnick and it's about Andrew who has just been cast as Hamlet. He does not want to be in Hamlet but his virgin girlfriend does and he thinks this may be a way to finally break that barrier. He is receiving acting training for the role from the ghost of John Barrymore. I chose this scene because of its comedy and its relation to more classical drama. I really enjoy directing because of the idea of having a concept and having your directorial vision brought to life through actors.

Cast: Greg Stoughton is Barrymore, Nathan Riddle is Andrew, and Ryn Crawford is Dierdre (Andrew's girlfriend)

Ryan Kelly

My scene is from the play The Odd Couple by Neil Simon. It is a comedy showing how 2 men deal with the end of their relationships. In this scene, they invite over 2 women for dinner. I chose this scene because it is probably the most amusing scene in the play, and most starkly contrasted the 2 men's personalities. I hope to gain insight from the other end of the production spectrum. Hopefully by getting experience thinking like a director, I can help my acting. I'm also excited to see what my cast can pull off with this particular scene, as it looks rather promising.

Cast: Dillon Reid, Summer Eubanks, Samantha Myers, Brandon Engelskirchen

Lara Williams

This particular scene is from the play Deathtrap written by Ira Levin. Sidney Bruhl is a washed up writer who would do anything to write another bestseller. When a fan sends him a manuscript that is nothing but brilliant he plans to steal the script. Sidney with the help from his wife, Myra, go to great lengths to pull this scheme off while avoiding the Helga, the psychic next door. I chose this scene because I love the play and I felt that it had challenges in it that would be very good for me to experience. I like directing because it is the side that an actor doesn't really get to experience. It is learning to take control of something and create a structure that everyone can contribute to. It is very challenging in that I have to find a way to communicate a message to the audience while staying true to the playwright. I can achieve that through direction! It's pretty neat!

Cast: Sidney Bruhl- Gyo Gamble; Mrya Bruhl- Hannah Lee; Helga Ten Dorp- Victoria Whetzel

Like us on Facebook: /catawbatheatre | Follow us on Twitter: @CatawbaTheatre | Follow us on Instagram: @catawbatheatre THE SPOTLIGHT PAGE6 Dance Ensemble “Well-rounded” is a word used to describe Catawba College quite often. We thrive in all academics here and of course our theatre department, but sometimes people leave out the wonderful dance opportunities at this school. Dance Ensemble is a very popular performance opportunity that many of our students participate in. Every year students involved in the Dance Ensemble class either choreograph or participate in a student choreographed piece with a theme of their choosing….or at least that’s what it used to be. This year we have made it a little more exciting and the stakes are a little bit higher between the choreographers. Bring in a brand new visiting faculty member, a brand new theme for the dances, a well-known dance company like Ballet Pensacola and what do you get? A masterpiece!

“Beth came to me over the summer with an idea about devising The Outrageous Dance Project around the Greek myth of Icarus and Daedalus and how we could possibly use Dance Ensemble as a springboard for this project. She wanted to create an opportunity to set a student choreographed piece on Richard’s professional dancers. So for DE I instructed my choreographers to choreograph a piece that was inspired in some way by the Greek myth for our final dance concert of the semester. I asked them to read the myth and research images, music, poetry, etc. for whatever theme they found inspiring from the story and allow that research to influence their choreography. Our dance concert would then link all the pieces together with a common theme to create more of a unified ensemble experience. Prior to the final dance concert, we will show our pieces to Beth and Richard, who will then select the student piece that they feel best suits their collaboration for next semester’s production. I have very much enjoyed being part of the ensemble this semester. In addition to overseeing the course and choreographing one of the ensemble’s pieces, I am very fortunate that 3 of our student choreographers invited me to perform in their pieces. It has been a privilege to dance under these talented choreographers and observe their growth as they run rehearsals.” Meredith Fox, Visiting Professor for Musical Theatre and Dance

When asked how the choreographers felt when they heard what the theme would be, the responses were very positive and also it seemed the dancers were excited for the different style; “I really liked the idea of using a story as the theme. It was interesting to see how each choreographer interpreted the myth and used specific parts of the plot to create their piece. It's cool to have pieces that are direct interpretations of the myth and others that have twists to them.” Jean White ‘16

“Dance Ensemble has been a different experience. I like that it does have one central theme that we all pulled inspiration from. It's so much easier and cooler to be able to relate to all the dances on such a common level and also see how so many different concepts came from one story.” Daniel Brown ‘16

Catawba College makes sure that when you leave, you have had opportunities that not many other schools are able to offer and that you leave with connections that will really help you in the long run! Come out and see Dance Ensemble perform their pieces this December and An Evening of Dance Theatre with Ballet Pensacola next year. Be sure to check Catawba’s Website for more information on show dates and tickets!

-Leanna Hicks ’16

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Alumnus of the Month: Jodye Carroll I first heard of Catawba at SETC my junior year of high school. I met Professor Zink, the Chairman of the Theatre Arts Department, at the Catawba table, and I made a visit to the campus that spring and the following year for interviews and auditions. Every time I visited, I was in a warm, welcoming, supportive environment. I was told that it was not a competitive department—it was supportive and encouraging, with a constant push to grow and develop. My original plan was to get a BFA in Musical Theatre. However, I graduated with a BA in Theatre Arts. I changed majors before the end of my freshman year when I realized the flexibility that a BA had to offer. There were a lot more classes that I wanted to take outside of the performance realm, and I would be able to do that with the BA. I also had come in with a lot of music theory background already, and I wanted to make good use of my time by taking classes I didn’t know anything about (i.e. props fabrication, directing). I am currently on a yearlong contract from August 2013 to August 2014, as one of five in the Resident Acting Company at Midtown Arts Center in Fort Collins, Colorado. We serve as the ensemble up to supporting roles in the main stage series in the dinner theatre, and we are the cast of the Young Audience Series. We also teach classes in the Academy and dabble in a little bit of tech and marketing. At this very moment, I am in the ensemble of Les Miserables (about to close), rehearsing for White Christmas (Ensemble, Dance Captain, understudying Judy and Susan— opening the week we close Les Mis), we have two children’s shows that have opened and will continue running through May. Needless to say, I have learned how to work in rep and to carry lots and lots of information all at one time. I will be here through the end of August, and my hope is to keep working regionally/professionally for another year while I complete applications for grad school. I’d like to get an MFA in either directing or choreography and ultimately be a college professor (and continue to work professionally). I definitely credit the Catawba Theatre Arts Department with most of what I’ve climbed to. Not only do I feel that the department prepared me for professional work, but I also am now working with a fellow Catawba theatre grad, Michael Lasris—he is the company manager, an actor, and the resident choreographer. The department really is a family that never ceases to support its fellow members, and I can’t be thankful enough for that. The support that is within the Catawba Theatre Department is unlike any other program around, and I’m still thankful for it on a daily basis. I also loved the well roundedness that Catawba encourages with the liberal arts requirements and the requirements within the department. Go ahead and roll your eyes…but Applied Theatre; it really is practical! I am just as busy now as I was in college. I have dances to learn and practice, lines to memorize, music to learn, and very short rehearsal processes before opening. Between rehearsals, performances, and study time, there really is very little down time, and I really am at the theatre all the time. But Applied Theatre prepared me for that, and now I can legitimately say that I am living the dream. It’s truly a blessing every day, to work with such a wonderful group of people who love the art just as much as I do and I don’t think I could ask for much more than that. And I attribute a lot of where I am to Catawba—so thank you, thank you, thank you! KEEP WORKING! Never, ever, ever stop fighting for what it is that you want to do. You ABSOLUTELY can do it. You have to put in the work, and you sometimes have to make tough choices, but make sure you are spending your time doing the things that make you feel the most fulfilled. BE PRODUCTIVE! BE DISCIPLINED! Take the time to talk with your professors. Get to know them—let them get to know you. ASK FOR ADVICE! It was the advice of several professors that got me interested in directing in the first place. Never underestimate the power of a good talk with a professor. If there is a big project that scares you but you know it’s what you want, take it on. Ask for opportunities—the worst answer you can get is no, and you’ll have the same thing you have now. I learned at Catawba to ask for things I wanted and work for them, and after a little bit of time here to settle in, I asked if I could be the dance captain for White Christmas, and they said yes. I then asked if I could audition to understudy a role—and I am understudying two roles. Fight for it—it will pay off. -Morgan Summers ’16

Like us on Facebook: /catawbatheatre | Follow us on Twitter: @CatawbaTheatre | Follow us on Instagram: @catawbatheatre Just a few reminders: Where Are the Diamonds?! Improv Troupe Catawba College’s one and only improve troupe Where Have you read our student blogs? are the Diamonds?! was founded in 2007 by Jordan Hunt, Paul Saylor, and Aaron Ganis and believe it or not is still As a way to reach out and let parents and prospective around. While the troupe was sad to say goodbye to the graduating seniors, the returning members: Allison students know what it’s like to be a theatre major at Andrews, Katlyn Shaw, Lara Williams, and Michelle Catawba, we have begun a blog with posts written by a Newberger are happy to welcome some fresh faces onto few of our very own, very talented, very busy theatre the team. The new members for the 2013-2014 Season majors. Check it out! are Brandon Engelskirchen, Eric English, George Glass, http://www.catawba.edu/gallery/2013/blog/theatre/ Greg Stoughton, Leigh Butler, Matthew Ensley, Jordan Clifton and Morgan Summers. The team meets weekly www.facebook.com/catawbatheatre to hone their improv skills by playing various games and working on different forms of improv. After a very @CatawbaTheatre successful past season with such hit shows as An Evening with Channing Tatum, we are all looking forward to another exciting year. The team plans on doing two @CatawbaTheatre performances this semester alone and is opening up one rehearsal a month the school population so that everyone Buy tickets! has the chance to do some awesome improv. Keep an ear www.catawba.edu/theatretix out for our open rehearsals or “Playdays” and of course our shows!

Do you have a friend or loved one in a Catawba Be sure to mark your calendars and check College or Blue Masque theatre production? out our upcoming productions! Do you want to show your appreciation for all of their Outrageous Dance Project The Fantasticks hard work? Directed by Richard Steinert ’81 Directed by Allison Andrews

Then purchase a Blue Masque Break-a-Leg February 25-26 @ 6:55pm March 25-29 @ 7:30pm Gift for just $6.00! February 27- March 1 @ 7:30pm Florence Busby Corriher Keppel Auditorium Break-a-Legs include a beautiful mylar balloon with Theater an equally exquisite red carnation and a personalized note. The Importance of Being Ernest To have a Break-a-Leg delivered to your loved one, Directed by Craig Kolkebeck please send $6 in cash or check to: April 8-9 @ 6:55pm April 10-12 @ 7:30pm These can be purchased by placing $6.00 (checks made out to "The Blue Masque") in Chelsea Retalics' Hedrick Little Theater campus mailbox, number 335. Call the box office at Thank you! (704) 637-4481 Chelsea Retalic or visit The Blue Masque Treasurer www.catawba.edu/theatretix to purchase tickets for any of our shows!