March 2013 Vol 19, No

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

MC EPPTHE HOUSE: SPOTLIGHT CATAWBA COLLEGE 2300 West Innes St. March 2013 Vol 19, No. 5 www.catawba.edu/theatrearts Salisbury, NC 28144 TELEPHONE (704) 637-4481 EMAIL THEATREARTS @CATAWBA.EDU

Co-Editor: Sydney Berk Lots of things happening on and off [email protected] Co-Editor: the Catawba Stage! Verity Pryor-Harden WHAT’S A SPRING BREAK? [email protected]

UPCOMING PRODUCTION: ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Student directed and choreographed by senior Jodye Carroll, this tragic fairytale musical will entrance and entertain. Continued on Page 2

IN MEMORY OF BILLY BURKE We remember an esteemed member of our Catawba Theatre family and the Salisbury community. Continued on Page 4 TyNia Brandon as Ti Moune in Once on this Island (Photography by Tracy Ratliff)

KCACTF REFLECTIONS Read about how our students weighed in at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and learn about other conference opportunities. Continued on Page 5

The Life of Galileo goes to KCACTF (Photography by Billy Burke THEATRE FACULTY MEMBER GRANTED TENURE Sean Meyers) A big congratulations to our very own Erin Dougherty, who has been granted tenure! Continued on Back Page

ALUMNUS OF THE MONTH: TOM LAPKE Meet our Catawba Theatre Alumnus of the Month! Continued on Page 7

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Once on this Island

by Pen Chance Carroll wanted to focus on a more As spring begins to show its face, join choreographed performance. She adds, “It's Catawba College and the Blue Masque on a very movement-based, which is certainly a journey of hope and love, as we proudly big factor in why I chose it, but it also present Once On This Island. With a moving pushes some very tough questions, and it story written by Tony Award Winner, Lynn leaves room for interpretation, which I Ahrens, and stunning score composed by really love. This is not your typical happy Grammy Nominee and Tony Award musical where everything is tied up with a Winner, Stephen Flaherty, Once On This bow at the end. It really showcases some Island tells the story of a girl on a tropical great talent that we have here on campus island, who uses the power of love to bring through a genre that the department hasn't people of all kinds together in harmony. really explored in quite some time.” The production runs March 20-23, Tickets are $5 for general admission, $4 beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Catawba’s for students and senior citizens, with group Florence Busby Corriher Theater. discounts available. Tickets may be Led by an ensemble of story-tellers, purchased online at www.catawba.edu/ Once On This Island throws the audience into theatretix or at the box ofﬁce on the nights a folktale through song and dance. In this of the performance. For more details, call adaptation of The Little Mermaid by Hans the Catawba College Theatre Box Ofﬁce Christian Anderson, student director, Jodye at (704) 637-4481. Donna Steele & Rayshaun Sandlin as Asaka & Papa Ge (Photography by Tracy Ratliff)

The Storytellers Production Crew

Ti Moune: TyNia Brandon Director/Choreographer: Jodye Carroll* Directing Advisor: Missy Barnes Little Girl: Lara Williams Music Director: Matt Newton Mama Euralie: Ashley Jackson Assistant Music Director: Allison Andrews Tonton Julian: Jurà Davis Stage Manager: Tyler Elrod Daniel: Cole McDonnell Assistant Stage Manager: Leanna Hicks Armand: Gyo Gamble Dance Captain: Lara Williams Set Designer: Brandon Engelskirchen Andrea: Alicia Almodovar Costume/Hair/Makeup Designer: Jacquelyn Loy* Asaka: Donna Steele Lighting Designer: Jerry Archer* Agwe: Jordan Clifton Master Electrician: Chris Speer Erzulie: Kara Procell* Technician: Chelsea Retalic Papa Ge: Rayshaun Sandlin Technician: Courtney Cowman Light Board Operator: Caitlin Geisser Sound Board Operator: Greg Stoughton Costume Maintenance: Eric English Piano/Rehearsal Pianist: Susan Trivette Percussion: Tevin Carr * Denotes membership in the Alpha Psi Omega Dramatic Honors Society

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MY LOVE, MY LOVE, OR, THE PEASANT GIRL by Jodye Carroll

Rosa Guy wrote her novel My Love, My Love as a retelling and reworking of Hans Christian Andersen’s short story, “The Little Mermaid.” Rather than being a mermaid who strives to be on land with the prince, Guy wrote about a Creole peasant woman who falls in love with a wealthy man. Rosa Guy is a native of Trinidad, but she spent most of her life in the US, beginning at age 7, without much in the way of parents—both her parents had passed by the time she reached the age of 14. Guy continued to grow and learn, studying acting in Harlem at the American Negro Theater (training grounds of Sidney Poitier and Harry Once on this Island $5, General Admission Belafonte), and continuing on as one of the A Musical $4, Students & Senior Citizens founders of the Harlem Writers Guild Book & Lyrics by: Lynn Ahrens (1950). Music by: Stephen Flaherty Reserve tickets online at Based upon the novel "My www.catawba.edu/theatretix AHRENS AND FLAHERTY STRIKE AGAIN Love, My Love" by Rosa Guy by Jodye Carroll or call the March 20-23, 7:30 p.m. Catawba Theatre Box Office: Rosa Guy’s novel was adapted into the Florence Busby Corriher Theater (704) 637-4481 musical Once on this Island by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Ahrens and Flaherty are a prolific duo in the musical theatre world, known best for their Tony Award- winning score for Ragtime. Beyond their numerous scores for stage, their work can also be recognized in the 1997 animated film Above: TyNia Brandon & Anastasia by Fox Animation Studios. Donna Steele as Ti Moune The Broadway production of Once on this & Asaka in Once on this Island ran for a full year, 1990-1991, and it Island. received eight Tony nominations, including Left: Rayshaun Sandlin & “Best Book of a Musical” and “Best Original TyNia Brandon as Papa Ge Score”. Once on this Island also ran on the & Ti Moune. West End from 1994-1995, where it was nominated for four Olivier Awards and won (Photography by Tracy Ratliff) “Best New Musical”.

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September 30, 1917 - February 6, 2013

BILLY BURKE constantly: for weddings, concerts, churches, conducting flawlessly.” North Carolina by Sydney Berk radio, television, and beauty pageants. You Symphony Director, Benjamin Swalin, took a name it, and Billy was likely there providing liking to the music as well and in 1957, the It is with a heavy heart that the Catawba the tunes. Burke was named Salisbury's North Carolina Symphony performed an Community says farewell to Mr. Music. Billy "Young Man of the Year" in 1952. And, he orchestral medley of five of Billy’s songs, Burke, a dear friend, member of the Blue has attained the rank of Life Master in the arranged by the Thoman Cousins. Next, the Masque Hall of Fame, and a major American Contract Bridge League. He was musical went to be played in Summer Stock contributor to the Theatre Department, passed a true legend in our lovely town. Theatre in New York as well as in Lexington away Wednesday, February 6, 2013, at the Billy Burke was asked to compose the High, Lincolnton High, Boyden High, and the Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks at 95 years music for Huck Finn in 1954. He said he Salisbury VA Medical Center. Since then, the old. remembered the head of the drama Salisbury Symphony has performed Burke’s His long life was one lived helping others. department at Catawba, Bernet Hobgood, songs two more times. Composing this music Until age 94, he regularly played the piano for stopping by one day with Professor Arnold was a great accomplishment and joy for Billy Rotary, Bridge Club, and his Sunday School Colbath. They asked him to compose songs and a true treat for Catawba Theatre Students. class at First United Methodist Church. It was for the Huck Finn book and lyrics, that In honor of Billy Burke, The Blue Masque just last spring that he was helping the cast of Colbath was writing. Billy says that originally named its highly coveted musical award in his Huck Finn with rehearsals for the musical he he thought he couldn’t do it because he had honor, The Huck Finn Award. composed. He was an inspiration. After he never composed before. But he agreed to try, Last year during the revival, Billy said he spoke with the cast, cast member Tatianna in true Catawba fashion, and began with was flattered and delighted that his music was Long said, “It was amazing listening to Billy two songs: “The River Song” and “Missy being revived once again. I asked him how he Burke tell his story and his part in creating the Mary Jane”. Hobgood and Colbath of felt about it being performed again and he music for Huck Finn. He has really inspired me course loved them and Billy was given the said, “It’s a wonderful feeling, it was first to live life to the fullest and to take risks even if challenge to write eleven more. I had the produced 58 years ago and I just couldn’t it scares the daylights out of me because pleasure of meeting with Billy last year and believe it would ever be resurrected again. I something beautiful and wonderful will come he told me that the most challenging part am very excited.” Above all he said that he out it.” was the short amount of time he had to hoped the students enjoyed being in the show Known to the Salisbury community as Mr. write those eleven songs considering he had and singing the songs. When we talked about Music, he is very much a part of many never composed prior to the show. He said his complete faithfulness to the Catawba people’s memories. For nearly 80 years, he that became the most fulfilling part as well, College Theatre Department he said, “I think brought joy and music to the community. He that he was able to accomplish so much in a that it is amazing that a small college can do attended Catawba College to study music and matter of 8 months. This is a true testament such wonderful productions. They have had a helped clean the music building to pay for to the kind of positive attitude Billy had. lot of students do very well in a diverse range tuition. Due to the Great Depression, his Huck Finn was first produced on campus of theatre arts accomplishments. It is a very dreams of becoming a concert pianist had to in 1955 and then again in 1958. Billy strong program.” He attended virtually every be put on hold and he instead entered composed two more songs for that revival, show at Catawba that he was able to and we Salisbury Business College. He began working bringing the song count to 15 total. The were always happy to have his support here. a series of business related positions such as at show and the music has since had a lot of A true legend, gentleman, and friend, we N.C. Finishing Company, Zimmerman’s success. Sidney Blackmer, Salisbury’s famous will miss him dearly. True devotion and Clothing Store, and Leon’s Clothing Store. But stage and screen star saw it and said, “The kindness is rich and rare, and we were blessed don’t for a minute think that meant his work music was gay and melodic. Congratulations to have him with us for so many wonderful with music was over. He was still playing are in order for Burke, for composing and years. Thank you, for the memories.

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Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship program, and Jordan received a full scholarship to the Open to avail themselves of the full range of Jar Institute in NYC this summer! Junior Jura workshops, symposia, and exhibits that are Davis and Sophomore Ashley O’Donnell part of each regional festival.” were also accepted into the Open Jar Institute.

This year out of 255 plays submitted, 6 - Collette Riddle (Senior): “I really were chosen to come perform at the Festival. enjoyed participating in KCACTF and feel Catawba’s own The Life of Galileo by Bertolt like I learned a lot. I attended 2-3 workshops Brecht, directed by Dayna Anderson, was every day and was introduced to a lot of new one of them! The entire cast and crew had ideas about how to approach performance, the honor of taking the show to Georgia, writing, and life in general. The best part was where hundreds saw the talent we have here talking with or watching people of varying at Catawba College ﬁrsthand. Our Irene skill levels as they worked on the same Ryan Scholarship nominees were Collette projects. I was fortunate to participate in the Riddle, Jura Davis, and Alicia Almodovar. Irene Ryan competition as well and, though I Jerry Archer was nominated for a Barbizon didn't get passed on to the second round, it Lighting Design Award and won an was such a great experience...I wish I could Honorable Mention! This is a major feat for do it again!” an undergraduate student. Aaron Alderman The Kennedy Center American was a Sound Award Nominee and Courtney - Rayshaun Sandlin (Senior): "It was a Cowman was a National Stage Management whirlwind being a part of an ensemble College Theatre Festival Award Nominee. selected to go to KCACTF. The experience Regional Convention we all had at KCACTF was unforgettable: Here’s what some of our students said about the workshops, continuing bonding with the Known as: KCACTF their experience: cast and crew, and of course being able to Takes place: February 5-9 at Darton perform, was so empowering. Our director, College in Albany, Georgia for Region 4 - Jerry Archer (Junior): “KCACTF was a Dayna Anderson complimented us, saying, To Find Out More: http://kcactf4.org/ great experience...I was able to enter my light "if you did not see the show at ACTF, you About: “The festival is a gathering of design in the Barbizon Light Design did not see it!" Overall, it was a great people to see one another's work and to share Competition and I was 1 of 3 who came experience and I'll always have the ideas. In addition to performances, there are home with an Honorable Mention...I was memories, and hopefully a job soon from a wide range of activities that in the past proud of myself simply because I was giving a few casting directors my resume!" have included workshops and seminars on recognized amongst those who's designs I such topics as playwriting, auditioning, voice, liked the most. KCACTF was simply the best movement, stage combat, theater for trip I've taken during my college career.” There are many other festivals and children, scene painting, scenery auditions that Catawba’s students construction, and so on. There are sessions - Jordan Clifton (Junior): “KCACTF was take advantage of every Spring. For for the beginning theater artist and the an amazing experience! Being able to take experienced faculty member. During January master classes, network with other schools current students and recent graduates, and February, a total of eight regional and current professionals, and of course the we urge you to look into these in festivals are held throughout the country. opportunity to present The Life of Galileo is an advance to ﬁnd employment. Every Students, faculty, and staff who bring experience I'll never forget. I left Georgia productions to regional festivals are with invaluable knowledge, many new year we have students who gain encouraged to attend the entire festival . All friends, and an opportunity to work with employment through these conferences festival participants are urged to attend broadway professionals this summer New and auditions. productions brought by their peers, York City.” participate as audience or auditioners in the

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I n s t i t u t e o f must be available for work year-round - in seminar.” Most students take advantage of O u t d o o r other words - not returning to school in the the Professional Auditions, auditioning for Fall or Spring.” both summer and year round employment, Drama or the Job Contact Service. Job contact gives Auditions Success! This year, Senior Jeffrey students the opportunity to interview for Salerno attended UPTAS. In addition to various jobs and internships Known as: IOD getting several callbacks and interviews, he Auditions has been hired as a sound engineer at Bigfork Success! This year, SETC conveniently Takes place: January 18-20, Asheville, Summer Playhouse in Montana. falls during Spring break and I will be North Carolina attending along with six other students and To Find Out More: http:// Straw Hat Auditions several alumni. We all have prepared our www.outdoordrama.org/iod-auditions/ audition packages, portfolios, business cards, and websites and are ready to go get About: “The Institute of Outdoor Drama Takes place: February 16-18th, New York auditions are the first combined auditions to City employed! There are several acting and directing internships I am looking at that be held for the 2013 Summer Season. To Find Out More: http://www.strawhat- Scheduled from January 18-20, 2013 in auditions.com/ only interview/audition at SETC, so it makes the festival extremely worthwhile. Asheville, North Carolina, the auditions About: “The StrawHat Auditions are held bring producers of outdoor theaters together in New York every spring. Over three days, with performers and technicians from over 750 actors and "techies" and staff from Other Conferences and Auditions to around the country for two days of intensive over forty theaters attend. Actors audition for Check Out: auditions, clinics and social activities over the available positions in the theaters' summer - North East Theatre Conference - United Martin Luther King weekend. These seasons while technical people post their States Institute for Theatre Technology - theaters offer a wide range of employment resumes and portfolios online and arrange Theatre Puget Sounds - CPCC possibilities in historic dramas, Shakespeare phone or onsite interviews.” festivals, religious dramas, renaissance festivals and dramatic and musical theatre.” Some Advice Success! This year, Junior Jura Davis attended StrawHats and received several 1. Tips to save on costs: Success! This year, Junior Greg callbacks. He is waiting to hear back from - Plan early and travel as a group. Stoughton attended the IOD Auditions and companies. - Check with the Conference, local hotels got a job offer! This summer he will be might have special rates available. working at Unto These Hills with the S o u t h e a s t e r n - Buy groceries on your way so you won’t Cherokee Historical Association as an Actor have to eat out for every meal. and Combatant. T h e a t r e Conference, 2. General Auditioning Tips: Auditions and - Bring more copies of your headshot and Technical Job resume than you think you need and bring copies even if you aren’t auditioning. Contact - Time and retime your package, going over Unified Professional Theatre time is unacceptable. Known as: SETC - Make Big Choices! Audition Takes place: March 6-10 in Louisville, KY - Show your audition package to many To Find Out More: http://www.setc.org/ people before the conference or audition. Known as: UPTAs about Takes place: February 8-11, Memphis, TN About: “Join 4,000 people from all theatre Apply for an SGA Scholarship! To Find Out More: http://www.upta.org/ disciplines for the largest theatre convention About: “A combined audition held every in the nation. Connect to opportunity in “Students receiving a scholarship from February in Memphis, Tennessee for year- theatre - professional, academic and the SGA will use this money towards an round professional actors, production community - in this gathering for many academic conference in which their work will personnel, and theatre companies. Pre- purposes: to audition or seek off-stage jobs; be presented, or the conference will build Professional Auditions are for those folks who to offer jobs in theatre; compete in theatre their repertoire...The maximum amount a will have their undergrad degrees in Theatre festivals; perform; participate in design student can receive each academic year is by 9/1/13. Pre-Professional actors are competitions and critiques; attend keynotes, $250...” looking to build their resumes and are willing play readings and choose from over 350 to accept chorus, ensemble, and intern workshops; exhibit; look for undergraduate For More Information: https:// positions. Regular Auditions are for those and graduate study opportunities; find www.catawba.edu/requests/ folks who have more experience and/or students for academic programs; and explore sga_scholarapp.asp training under their belt. In either case, you Teachers Institute - a pre-convention

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Alumnus of the Month: Tom Lapke

Dear Catawba Theatre Department,

It is an honor to be featured as the Alumnus of the Month in this month’s Spotlight. My career in theatre has certainly taken some unexpected turns since I graduated, yet I still often look back on Catawba as some of the best and most important times of my life. It is, after all, where I met my wife and fellow alumnus Kristin Saunders. I am proud to say that, thanks to the advent of social media, I am still very much in touch with many of my fellow classmates (and even just beat Steve Attanasie in this year’s Oscar pool, which, if you graduated with him, you know what a coup that is). After Catawba, I went straight to graduate school to earn my MFA in performance from the University of Florida. Upon graduating, it was off to New York where I got very lucky and booked a tour early on and scored my Equity card. I worked with a some great companies and did a lot of work I am really proud of. I often found myself being cast almost exclusively in classical theatre (“character” face + big voice = Shakespeare audition). I cannot tell you the number of times I went back to my training from James “Parkie” Parker when working on those roles. Those of you who have since escaped the utter terror of having your work critiqued by him, you have truly missed out. I also learned a great deal from Chris Zink and Dave Pulliam. While I was not perusing a technical career, I could swing a hammer and so I found myself working in the scene shop day after day. Those hours spent toiling away on the arc welder or in the platform truck taught me a work ethic that has served me to this day. That same work ethic led me to take on the task of starting a website for actors called Audition Update. After experiencing frustration over a lack of information and communication amongst those in the daily auditioning world, I decided that I was going to try and ﬁx it. By the straps of my boots (and a start up investment from fellow alumnus Jasika Nicole) I created Audition Update. The website uses crowd sourcing to allow actors to interface with one another in real time about all the information that helps run their audition schedule more effectively. You will learn that there is a lot of wasted time in our industry, especially when you are ﬁrst starting out. The website ended up becoming wildly popular, and soon became a staple of the New York City audition experience. To that end, it was recently purchased by Backstage.com. I was also offered a job with the company and am now a Project Manager and the Head of Education and Events. Like I said, unexpected turns. I have a few pieces of advice for Catawba students getting ready to move into their careers: • Stay in touch with your classmates, you are going to be giving each other work for the rest of your lives (just today I ran into fellow alumnus Ben Mackel at an audition). • Don’t think that once you graduate, you no longer need classes. Your training should continue for the length of your career. • Most importantly, LEARN THE BUSINESS SIDE OF SHOW. I know so many great actors who never work and even more mediocre actors that work all the time because of their knowledge level of treating this like a business.

From playing Maﬁa, going to Wafﬂe House until midnight when the cast list went up, to never ending tech rehearsals, I have so many fond memories of my time at Catawba. I am proud of the time I spent there and all that it has afforded me since. Break a leg out there!

- Tom

Like us on Facebook: /catawbatheatre | Follow us on Twitter: @CatawbaTheatre | Follow us on Instagram: @catawbatheatre Just a few reminders: Congratulations, Erin! “TENURE APPROVED FOR CATAWBA THEATRE ARTS Have you read our student blogs? PROFESSOR “The Catawba College Board of Trustees approved As a way to reach out and let parents and prospective tenure for Theatre Arts Assistant Professor Erin B. students know what it’s like to be a theatre major at Dougherty at its February meeting. Catawba, we have begun a blog with posts written by a few of our very own, very talented, very busy theatre “Dougherty joined the Catawba faculty in 2007 as assistant professor of costume design and technology. majors. Check it out! She has served since 2008 as the faculty advisor to www.catawba.edu/gallery/2012/blog/theatre/ Catawba's Blue Masque, a student theatre organization, and served during the 2012-2013 www.facebook.com/catawbatheatre academic year as a member of the Catawba faculty's curriculum committee. @CatawbaTheatre She earned her undergraduate degree in theatre and English from Hartwick College in 2002 and her @CatawbaTheatre master's degree in English from Northern Michigan University in 2004. She earned her M.F.A. in theatre Buy tickets! design and scenography from UNC Greensboro in 2007.” www.catawba.edu/theatretix (taken from this link to the Catawba website.)

Do you have a friend or loved one in a Catawba College or Blue Masque theatre production? Be sure to mark your calendars and check Do you want to show your appreciation for all of their out our upcoming productions! hard work? Then purchase a Blue Masque Break-a-Leg Gift for just $6.00! !By Arthure Crucible Miller Directed by Kurt Corriher April 9-10, 6:55 p.m. Break-a-Legs include a beautiful mylar balloon with April 11-13, 7:30 p.m. an equally exquisite red carnation and a Hedrick Little Theater personalized note.

To have a Break-a-Leg delivered to your loved one, Danceworks 2013 One Acts Festival Directed by Directing II please send $6 in cash or check to: Directed by Missy Barnes April 21, 2:00 p.m. Students April 22, 7:30 p.m. April 25-26, 7:30 p.m. The Blue Masque Keppel Auditorium Florence Busby Corriher c/o Theatre Arts Department Catawba College Theater 2300 West Innes St. Salisbury, NC 28144 Call the box ofﬁce at OR On campus mail box 262 (704) 637-4481 or visit Thank you! www.catawba.edu/theatretix Allison Andrews [email protected] to purchase tickets for any of our The Blue Masque Treasurer shows!