COURTESY DR. JULIE RAE PRATT www.kcstage.com NOVEMBER 2007 1 Kansas City Repertory Exceeds Campaign Goal William C. Nelson and Jim Blair, board of directors. “When we re- co-chairmen of Kansas City Reper- ceived the challenge opportunity tory Theatre’s capital campaign, from Kresge, we knew we were announced that the Rep has ex- up to the task of raising more than ceeded its goal to raise $7 million a half million dollars in additional to build Copaken Stage, its satellite funds in only six months. Thanks to theatre, and increase the Rep’s en- the generosity of so many, we met COVER: Dr. Julie Rae Pratt. dowment. As of Oct 10, $7,283,495 that challenge and with the Kresge has been raised. More than 1,000 award of $330,000, we will have Top Billing people and organizations contrib- surpassed our original $7 million Spotlight on Dr. Julie Rae Pratt..................2 uted to the campaign and over 300 target. Thank you, Kansas City.” Starring of those are first time donors. “As we came down the home Riding the Mystery Train Pt 2...................... 4 The Rep had already raised stretch of this campaign, we were Neil LaBute Talks at Kansas University........6 more than $5 million by April 2007 very fortunate to have several ma- Notes when The Kresge Foundation’s jor gifts come in and we are very KC Repertory Exceeds Campaign Goal .....1 Capital Challenge Grants program grateful that they did,” said Wil- Poet Laureate for Missouri ........................7 issued an “all or nothing” chal- liam P. Prenevost, managing Camera Giveaway ..................................7 lenge: raise an additional $520,000 director of the theatre. “And we Sight Gag in cash and pledges before Sep- are thankful that so many donors Sheldon..................................................6 tember 30 to qualify for a $330,000 were able to make a commitment grant from The Foundation. The in time for our Kresge deadline. Stage Savvy Tips for Better Volunteer Management .......3 Rep far surpassed the Kresge goal They pushed us over the top to- by raising $1,402,956. ward our $7 million goal.” Stand-Ins “We could not be more pleased Although the campaign goal Auditions ..............................................21 Calendar ..............................................10 with the support we have received has been met, the Rep is still ac- Film Clips ...............................................7 to build Copaken Stage,” said Blair tively accepting donations to its Performances ..........................................8 Showbiz..................................................5 who is also a member of the Rep’s Continued on page 17 Cast of Characters Scott Bowling ............................Webmaster Richard Buswell .................Managing Editor Bryan Colley ................... Graphic Designer Angie Fiedler Sutton............ Associate Editor Tricia Kyler Bowling...............Subscriber Rep Letters to the Editor ...... [email protected] Vol.KC 10 • No. 11STAGE • Issue 99 • November 2007 [email protected] • 816-361-2325 PO Box 410492 • Kansas City, MO 64141-0492 December Submission Deadline: November 10 www.kcstage.com © Copyright 2007 by KCStage. All material contained in this pub- lication is the property of or licensed for use by KCStage. Any use, duplication, or reproduction of any or all content of this publication is prohibited except with the express written permission of KCStage or the original copyright holders. Printing by AlphaGraphics. R www.kcstage.com NOVEMBER 2007 1 Spotlight on Dr. Julie Rae Pratt by Angie Fiedler “I think theatre provides the best vehicle for opening PRATT difficult and uncomfortable dialogues; I strive to be RAE an artist who does that.” So writes Dr. Julie Rae Pratt, JULIE . DR associate professor of theatre (and the graduate coor- dinator) at the University of Central Missouri. Even in an e-mail interview, Pratt (or “Dr. J”, as she is known COURTESY to her students) has an obvious sparkle of energy about her work, whether it’s as a teacher, director, ac- tor, or playwright. Born and raised in the northwest suburbs of Chi- cago, Pratt’s travels to her current location of War- rensburg is a travelogue of various organizations throughout the Midwest, from teaching English, speech, theatre, and journalism at Leigh High School in Nebraska to being the assistant professor of theatre at the University of Minnesota in Morris. She’s been with UCM since 2001. “I loved my teaching position at U of Minnesota”, she writes, “but found it a very diffi- cult place to live—winter 10 months of the year! UCM seemed a program on the verge of a growth spurt. I knew it was a place where I could bring my gifts to the table, learn a lot, and thrive.” Pratt’s teaching is as varied as her career history, both in classes and in style. “I employ a variety of methods in my teaching – lecture, demonstration, multi-media, but mostly I shoot for practical applica- tion of ideas. I firmly believe that what happens in the Dr. Julie Rae Pratt classroom must have relevance for the student as s/he leaves the classroom. She also has helped out a variety of theatres, from “I’m told I’m tough and that my expectations are developing two theatre companies in Chicago, to high. I guess that’s true: set the bar high, and students working with Kansas City groups, to having served rise to the occasion. I want to help students achieve as the company manager for Central Missouri Reper- their goals, so it’s not terribly important to me that tory, a professional summer stock company on UCM’s they like me in that process – it’s far more important campus. She writes, “This is all very helpful when it that they learn.” come to teaching theatre management class: I can Of course, her high expectations go for her own speak from experience!” work as well. Pratt’s published one play, The Wishing When all is said and done, however, Pratt says her Stone, which she co-authored with a student from the first love is directing. “My metaphor for directing is University of Minnesota. And in 2006, she saw the twofold: I like creating the frame for the work and premiere of the one-woman performance art piece putting the brushes in the other artist’s hands, to paint In Conclusive Woman at the KC Fringe Festival, which the text to the stage. I also like to think of my directing received enough attention where two songs have been style as planting seeds that grow together in a well-or- optioned and available on iTunes and she has been ganized garden. And I get to be the gardener – it’s the pursued for a record contact. greatest job ever.” Continued on page 17 2 KCSTAGE “There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who know absolutely everything, and those who know absolutely nothing.” ~ Oscar Wilde www.kcstage.com NOVEMBER 2007 3 Tips for Better Volunteer Management by Angie Fiedler Chances are if you’re working in the arts, you’re instruction or training, make sure the training is under- working with volunteers. Whether it’s board mem- standable, available, and maybe even something they bers or ushers, volunteers usually are the ones that can take with them (or get beforehand—maybe even make the organization flow from day to day. Volun- have it available on your website). Make sure they feel teer management is a much under-appreciated aspect comfortable with their tasks, and make sure they have of almost any organization, but a vital one. Keeping a way to ask questions if they are confused. Let them your volunteers happy (and returning) is as impor- take ownership of the tasks they are doing. At the same tant, if not more so, as having an audience. After all, time, make sure the training involves any ground rules they are walking and talking promotions for your and ‘jargon’ about the organization (you never know organization. Here are some tips for managing and how familiar—or unfamiliar—a volunteer is with maintaining your volunteers. your organization, especially if using a source such The two most important words to a volunteer’s ear: as VolunteerMatch.org). After all, they need to know free stuff. Seriously, the most important thing for a vol- answers to any basic questions about the organization unteer is to feel appreciated, so thank them often—and they may be asked while volunteering, or while talking mean it. And hey, a little swag now and then—whether to their friends and family after volunteering. it’s a T-shirt, pen, button (all, of course, with your or- Keep them interested. Nothing’s worse to someone ganization’s name and/or logo on it, turning your vol- donating their time than feeling like the time was wast- unteers into walking and talking billboards), or other ed. Make sure you have enough projects for your volun- freebies—would make them feel extra appreciated. teers to keep them happy and busy. At the same time, Make them feel wanted. This is more than thanking don’t feel like they have to be productive every minute them. Treat them as you would any financial donor, of the time they are volunteering. After all, talking with for while they may not be contributing money, they their friends or taking a break can help revitalize a vol- are contributing time—which is sometimes more valu- unteer and make them more willing to promote your able. Besides: after donating time, they may fall so in organization. At the same time, try to match skills to the love with your organization to donate money as well as tasks. One of your volunteers has clerical skills? Maybe time. Feeling wanted covers everything from a simple have them help input information into your mailing list.