Tallahassee Democrat - 03/20/2016 Copy Reduced to 79% from original to fit letter page Page : D03 TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT » SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2016 » 3D TLH LOCAL Bringing ‘Young Frankenstein’ to life

AMANDA SIERADZKI COUNCIL ON CULTURE & ARTS

henever director Jimmy Kontos Wbegins a new theater production, he either pulls out his hiking boots or prepares for a long drive. A Tallahassee native, he’s hiked nearly every local park, yet still grasps at any opportunity to get out into nature, walk around, and find his way into a new project. He believes that activating the body keeps it busy and frees his mind to reflect. Music is often the stimulus he finds that will allow his ideas to germi- nate. Kontos says he’ll typically listen to scores from the musical he’s working on or other genres that may find their way into the pre-show music that plays before the curtain rises. “It could be a lyric that grabs me or notes that inspire me,” explains Kontos. “I’m a live music junkie to begin with, and I have always found music to be an avenue into a story for me.” For TCC’s “The New Mel Brooks Musical: Young Frankenstein,” Kontos grabbed his headphones and circled Lake Ella. This will be his second stage- directed work since moving his family back to Tallahassee. CAROLINE V. STURTZ Kontos credits the Young Actor’s Chase Cashion as Frederick Frankenstein and Zack Silver as Igor in "Young Frankenstein", Theatre with laying his technical foun- directed by Jimmy Kontos. dation, but thanks his sister for his introduction to theater. Her role in a In his travels, he saw new, innova- a show. Leon High School play led him to see tive works being made across the coun- “They have to bleed onstage them- the production again and again, and try and cites productions like “Sleep No selves and make their own choices or eventually to take acting classes. He More” and “Absinthe” among them. He the character just won’t be organic or went on to earn a theatre degree from was part of such a work during his time interesting,” explains Kontos. “As far Florida State, where he found a signifi- If you go in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Kontos valued as how I set up a process, that changes cant mentor in Fred Chappell. “Talent the cathartic process leading a group of with the wind. It’s particular to every gets you in the door but work ethic What: “The New Mel Brooks Musical: Young students in writing and performing a story you’re telling.” keeps you in the room,” repeats Kontos Frankenstein” production, “Inside the Tornado,” after Kontos has enjoyed watching his of Chappell’s advice. When: March 24-26 & March 31-April 2 at 8 disaster hit in 2011. Experiential learn- students take risks and work hard for While he performed in many local p.m ing such as this is what Kontos hopes to TCC’s “Young Frankenstein” which will musicals and plays, with favorite roles Where: 444 Appleyard Dr., Turner Auditorium pass down to his current students. premiere March 24 and run through in “Krumpet” and “One Flew Over the Cost: Adult $15, Seniors $10, Students and “We have to challenge ourselves to April 2 in the Turner Auditorium. As a Cuckoo’s Nest,” Kontos now considers Children $7, TCC students free w/ID, TCC find new modes of discovery,” says Mel Brooks musical, it’s vaudevillian, himself a teacher first and director faculty/staff free w/ID plus one guest Kontos. “That’s one of the things I talk old school comedy that packs a punch second. He began teaching at 18 years Contact: For more information please contact with my students about constantly, line, and Kontos has found it to be play- old, finding a niche in academic thea- Eva Nielsen-Park, Director of Theatre, at (850) because if you are not getting better, ful atmosphere filled with madcap tre, and still uses vital lessons passed 201-9882 or [email protected]. you are getting worse, and there’s no hilarity. down from teacher and colleague, Rod staying still. You have to be working to In directing, he asked his two leads, Durham, who died earlier this week. progress.” Frankenstein and Igor to look at Abbott “When I first started, he taught me When it comes to teaching style, he and Costello’s “Who’s on First” to get how to be a teacher,” says Kontos. “He utilizes image work that encourages the rhythms of the era’s speech. wanted to make sure students were supporting one another’s missteps are students to create 365-degree worlds Though most of it is just plain fun and better people when they walked out essential to the growth process. around them onstage. He’s a storyteller, silliness, Kontos admits that while com- than when they walked in. He taught “Struggle always precedes break- driven by the Michael Chekhov Tech- edy and theatre, takes a certain preci- me that investing in the individual can through,” says Kontos. “That happens nique that bolsters his classroom exer- sion, working hard, breaking some make all the difference in the world.” whether you’re in the process for show cises. It instructs on connecting the rules, and taking a leap of faith often Now with 20 years of teaching under or you’re in classwork. When I’m in mind with the body, and this psycho- pays off in the end. his belt, Kontos has been an instructor class I build a support group between physical work helps Kontos’ students to “You put forth what you think is and director at Leon High School, the students so they feel comfortable to access their imagination, and aligns funny and you stand up on that ledge,” Young Actors Theatre, and Atlantis experiment, play, and take risks.” that with their physical presence on- Kontos says with a smile. “When the Academy. He’s also developed educa- After earning his MFA at the Univer- stage. audience comes in, you jump off and tional programs for all ages and direct- sity of Alabama, Kontos took three Though he prefers working in small either they will catch you and enjoy it ed main stage productions for Theatre months off to travel around the country groups and with challenging topics, with you or they will enjoy watching Tallahassee, The Artist’s Workshop, and to broaden his theatrical knowledge. Kontos enjoys the idea of the unseen you fall and hit the ground very hard. Leon County Schools. Having lived in London and seen most director in the final product. One won’t But when you are able to set it up and His roles as director and teacher of Europe, he was ready to experience find his image in the program or expos- do it well, it’s unbelievable amounts of tend to merge, as he feels both proc- what he calls “the frontline of theater” itory Director’s Notes. As director, fun to create.” esses are interchangeable. Most impor- in the regional markets that make their Kontos believes his function is that of Amanda Sieradzki is the feature writer tantly, Kontos strives to build ensem- homes in small towns and cities. He an invisible hand, silently guiding stu- for the Council on Culture & Arts. COCA bles with students in all environments. believes these are the theaters that dents through their own explorations is the capital area’s umbrella agency for From the first day, he explains how create new audiences and keep the art and facilitating onstage decision-mak- arts and culture cheering on each other’s successes and form alive. ing, instead of dictating every detail of (www.tallahasseearts.org).

Copyright © 2016 Tallahassee Democrat. All rights reserved. Use of this site signifies your agreement to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights , updated March 2007. 03/20/2016 TRAILBLAZERMarch 21, 2016 9:57 am (GMT +4:00) Powered by TECNAVIA Janet Stoner, paving the way for women engineers

ANNA PHILLIPS placent. We need to keep moving forward.” THE OASIS CENTER FOR WOMEN & GIRLS Stoner encourages the next generation of women and girls to seize every opportunity possible so that anet Stoner never planned on becoming an engi- they can make the greatest contribution possible, to Jneer. In fact, her undergraduate degree is in phys- their families and to society. ical education. However, Stoner went on to become Celebrate Janet Stoner at the Women’s History a trailblazer as an engineer in the oil and gas industry, 2001 and then retired, Month Community Luncheon on Tuesday, March 29, where she has paved the way for others through her returning to Tallahassee. 2016 at the Lively Café at St. John’s Episcopal Church leadership. In retirement, Stoner from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit Stoner earned a master’s degree in mathematics has taken to serving our www.TheOasisCenter.net to register or learn more from Florida State University in 1972. Her first job community. She has been about the event. after graduate school was as an engineer’s assistant at a supporter of several Written by Anna Phillips for The Oasis Center for Texaco in 1974. In 1977, Stoner was promoted to petro- initiatives at FSU, in- Women & Girls, a non-profit organization whose mission leum engineer, the only woman employed as an engi- cluding, among others, is to “improve the lives of women and girls through cele- neer in her division. At the time, only about 5 percent Women for FSU and wom- bration and support.” Phillips is an intern at Oasis and a of all engineers in the U.S. were women and most en’s athletics. She also Social Work major at Florida State University. You can other women with Stoner’s company were in adminis- Janet Stoner served on the Refuge contact Oasis through Haley Cutler, Executive Director, trative jobs. Today, women continue to be underrepre- House Board of Directors at 222-2747 or [email protected] . sented in engineering — making up only 14 percent of and serves on the FSU www.theoasiscenter.net engineers and 18-20 percent of engineering students Foundation Board of Trustees. nationally, according to the American Society of Me- Each year in March, as part of Women’s History chanical Engineering. Month, The Oasis Center for Women & Girls recog- Tallahassee Writers Conference Stoner was driven. She recalls that her parents nizes local women who have rewritten history by always told her she could do anything. blazing trails. Trailblazers are honored for the barri- A new beginning starts today. Though she lacked female engineering colleagues, ers they have crossed and glass ceilings they have September 24th, 2016 Stoner did receive support from her co-workers and shattered, paving the way for other women to follow. Florida State University School of Information superiors, including several male mentors over the Stoner is being recognized for her leadership in the Tallahassee Writers Association course of her career. She advanced within Texaco by oil and gas industry, where she became the highest taking on new roles, being flexible, and mobile. Over ranking woman at Texaco in 1998. Pre-Registration Open Now! the years, new opportunities included global travel to Stoner believes Women’s History month is an im- regions including the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea, portant time of year. “We have not even begun to √ Meet with other writers Latin America and West Africa. explore all that women have to contribute to society,” √ Learn practical information you can use Stoner is a strong leader and credits her athletic she said. “We need to continue to tell stories and in- √ Network with editors, agents, and publishers background for her abilities to work well with and spire younger women. 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