Saint Mary’s students to stage drama ‘Pentecost’ Nov. 7-9

Art, religion, and politics collide in the Saint Mary’s Department of Theatre and Dance production of the complex British drama “Pentecost” Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 7-9.

Written by David Edgar and directed by Judy Myers, “Pentecost” tells the story of Gabrielle Pecs, a beautiful and passionate art curator in a small village in an unnamed Eastern European post-communist country. Gabrielle believes she has discovered something wonderful in an ancient, abandoned church near her country’s border. Realizing that a celebrated art historian from England is arriving in her country to give a talk, Gabrielle brings him face to face with what very well may be a work of art that will change the course of history.

This play contains adult language and adult situations. Patron discretion is advised.

Shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6-8, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, in Page Theatre.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the box office, Ext. 1715, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Saint Mary’s students to stage drama ‘Pentecost’ Nov. 6-9

Art, religion and politics collide in the Saint Mary’s Department of Theatre and Dance production of the complex British drama “Pentecost” Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 6-9.

Written by David Edgar and directed by Judy Myers, “Pentecost” tells the story of Gabrielle Pecs, a beautiful and passionate art curator in a small village in an unnamed Eastern European post-communist country. Gabrielle believes she has discovered something wonderful in an ancient, abandoned church near her country’s border. Realizing that a celebrated art historian from England is arriving in her country to give a talk, Gabrielle brings him face to face with what very well may be a work of art that will change the course of history.

This play contains adult language and adult situations. Patron discretion is advised.

Shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 6-8, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, in Page Theatre.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the box office, 457-1715, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Saint Mary’s students to stage ‘Rabbit Hole’ Sept. 26-28

The Saint Mary’s Department of Theatre and Dance will stage “Rabbit Hole” today through Sunday, Sept. 26-28.

Becca and Howie Corbett have everything a family could want, until a life-shattering accident turns their world upside down and leaves the couple drifting perilously apart. “Rabbit Hole” is a story of loss, honesty, compassion and wit during a time when a family tries to pick up the broken pieces to try to move forward with their daily lives.

This winner of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize, written by David Lindsay-Abaire and directed by Saint Mary’s senior theatre major Kathleen Bryant, confronts the emotions surrounding human loss and the unique, and at times hilarious, ways we cope with grief.

The show runs 7:30 p.m. today through Sunday, Sept. 26-28, and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27-28, in the Studio Theatre of the Performance Center. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the box office, Ext. 1715, Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Saint Mary’s students to stage ‘Rabbit Hole’ Sept. 25-28

The Saint Mary’s Department of Theatre and Dance will stage “Rabbit Hole” Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 25-28.

Becca and Howie Corbett have everything a family could want, until a life-shattering accident turns their world upside down and leaves the couple drifting perilously apart. “Rabbit Hole” is a story of loss, honesty, compassion and wit during a time when a family tries to pick up the broken pieces to try to move forward with their daily lives.

This winner of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize, written by David Lindsay-Abaire and directed by Saint Mary’s senior theatre major Kathleen Bryant, confronts the emotions surrounding human loss and the unique, and at times hilarious, ways we cope with grief.

The show runs 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25-28 and 3 p.m. Sept. 27-28 in the Studio Theatre of Saint Mary’s Performance Center. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the box office, 507-457-1715, Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Students attend theatre technology conference

Attendees included, from left: front, John Goblirsch '14, Jason Underferth '00 (Performance Center technical director), Kathleen Bryant '15, Arielle Ems '15; front, Karina Kim '16, CHarlotte Deranek '14 and Dovie Hughes '16.

Saint Mary’s was represented by six students and staff at the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) conference in Fort Worth, Texas, at the end of March. All the participants took full advantage of workshops and sessions, learned about the newest technology from vendors, experienced the Sound Lab, met with potential graduate schools, and interviewed for jobs across the U.S.

The students also met up with Saint Mary’s alum and Fellow of the institute, Dr. Randall W.A. Davidson, who has founded seven Risk Management corporations and has authored books on product liability and theatre safety.

Musical comedy ‘Urinetown’ set for March 21-23

Gabe Verges and Katie Sapper rehearse a musical selection from "Urinetown."

Water is scarce, but corruption flows freely in the Saint Mary’s musical comedy production of “Urinetown,” March 21-23.

In a Gotham-like city, a terrible water shortage, caused by a 20-year drought, has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. Water is worth its weight in gold. The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity’s most basic needs. A hero plunges forward, deciding he’s had enough, and he plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom!

Inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, “Urinetown” is an irreverently humorous satire in which no one is safe from scrutiny. For added fun, the show spoofs well-known musicals and itself. Director Dr. Gary Diomandes and musical director Judy Myers are flushed with excitement about bringing the hilarious tale of greed, corruption, love and revolution to life.

Books and lyrics for “Urinetown” are by Greg Kotis; music and lyrics are by Mark Hollmann.

The show will run 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 21-22, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 23, in Page Theatre.

Tickets are $10 for adults or $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Musical comedy ‘Urinetown’ set for March 20-23

Bailey Steinke (Little Sally) and Alex Green (Officer Lockstock) enact a scene from the upcoming Saint Mary's University production of "Urinetown."

Zach Hillman (Caldwell B. Cladwell), Gabe Verges (Boby Strong), Alex Green (Officer Lockstock) and Katie Sapper (Hope Cladwell) rehearse a tense moment from the upcoming show "Urinetown."

Water is scarce, but corruption flows freely in the Saint Mary’s University musical comedy production of “Urinetown,” March 20-23.

In a Gotham-like city, a terrible water shortage, caused by a 20-year drought, has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. Water is worth its weight in gold. The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity’s most basic needs. A hero plunges forward, deciding he’s had enough, and he plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom!

Inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, “Urinetown” is an irreverently humorous satire in which no one is safe from scrutiny. For added fun, the show spoofs well-known musicals and itself. Director Dr. Gary Diomandes and musical director Judy Myers are flushed with excitement about bringing the hilarious tale of greed, corruption, love and revolution to life.

Books and lyrics for “Urinetown” are by Greg Kotis; music and lyrics are by Mark Hollmann.

The show will run 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, March 20-22, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 23, in Page Theatre.

Tickets are $10 for adults or $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

SMU presents six plays in ‘SPLaSH’ Feb. 21-23

The Theatre and Dance Department will present the spring “SPLaSH” series — six one-act plays produced by students — Feb. 21-23. The plays will be held at the Studio Theatre, located in the Performance Center.

SPLaSH, which stands for “short play showcase,” will feature six one-act plays. Four of the one-acts, “English Made Simple,” “Words Words Words,” and “Sure Thing” from All in the Timing as well as “Lives of the Saints” from Seven Short Plays, are comedies by David Ives.

Two of the featured plays, “Meeting of the Mind” and “The Well-Wishers,” were written by Alexander Green ’14 specifically for this production. Another Green original one-act, “He Who Fights Monsters,” was produced in the Studio Theatre in January.

Directors for SPLaSH include Lydia Munroe ’14, Brian Pipal ’14, Kathleen Bryant ’15 and Colleen Morgan ’15. Students cover all design, production, and performance areas for this studio production.

Shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 21-22, and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 22-23.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

SMU presents six plays in ‘SPLaSH’ Feb. 19-23

The Theatre and Dance Department will present the spring “SPLaSH” series — six one-act plays produced by students — Feb. 19-23. The plays will be held at the Studio Theatre, located in the Performance Center.

SPLaSH, which stands for “short play showcase,” will feature six one-act plays. Four of the one-acts, “English Made Simple,” “Words Words Words,” and “Sure Thing” from All in the Timing as well as “Lives of the Saints” from Seven Short Plays, are comedies by David Ives.

Two of the featured plays, “Meeting of the Mind” and “The Well-Wishers,” were written by Alexander Green ’14 specifically for this production. Another Green original one-act, “He Who Fights Monsters,” was produced in the Studio Theatre in January.

Directors for SPLaSH include Lydia Munroe ’14, Brian Pipal ’14, Kathleen Bryant ’15 and Colleen Morgan ’15. Students cover all design, production, and performance areas for this studio production.

Shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, Feb. 19-22, and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 22-23.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

SMU presents six plays in ‘SPLaSH’ Feb. 19-23

The Theatre and Dance Department will present the spring “SPLaSH” series — six one-act plays produced by students — Feb. 19-23. The plays will be held at the studio theatre, located in the Performance Center.

SPLaSH, which stands for “short play showcase,” will feature six one-act plays. Four of the one-acts, “English Made Simple,” “Words Words Words,” and “Sure Thing” from All in the Timing as well as “Lives of the Saints” from Seven Short Plays, are comedies by David Ives.

Two of the featured plays, “Meeting of the Mind” and “The Well-Wishers,” were written by Alexander Green ’14 specifically for this production. Another Green original one act, “He Who Fights Monsters,” was produced in the Studio Theatre in January.

Directors for SPLaSH include Lydia Munroe ’14, Brian Pipal ’14, Kathleen Bryant ’15 and Colleen Morgan ’15. Students cover all design, production, and performance areas for this studio production.

Shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, Feb. 19-22, and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 22-23.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Students to stage ‘Monsters’ play written by peer

Saint Mary’s will present “Monsters,” an original play written, performed and designed by members of the senior class, Jan. 17-19.

“Monsters” — written by Alex Green and directed by Lydia Munroe — explores the absurdities surrounding the development of mental health care at the turn of the last century. The institution, run by an unsavory physician and his lovely assistant, welcomes a visiting member of the certification board. As the visitor meets the “crazy” patients, each one reveals their story.

Admission is free, but seating is limited in the studio theatre of the Performance Center. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 17-18, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19.

Professional actors speak to London theatre students

Gavin Creel poses with theatre students

Forrest McClendon, who is starring in “The Scottsboro Boys,” and Gavin Creel, who is one of the two leads in “The Book of Mormon,” came to talk with the London theatre students.  Both shared their background, discussed working on Broadway and West End, and gave some great advice on life and life in the theatre.

To see pictures and read more about the SMU theatre study abroad group’s semester in London, go to smumn-london.blogspot.com.

Students complete model of Winona National Bank

Five students, under the guidance of Tamara Honesty, assistant professor of scenic design, completed a scale model of the original Winona National Bank, in celebration of the building’s centennial. The students, Ely Mattson, Karina Kim, Miranda Leyson, Julie Frederickson and Matt Schneider (along with adjunct faculty Chuck Hatcher) put in more than 125 hours on the process.

Schneider worked on the model as part of a class project; the others volunteered to help. Each of the women gave up most of their fall breaks to work on the project, as well as additional weekends.

Most of the students had no experience building models, and many had never visited the historic bank. They built the model using original blueprints from 1914, as well as copies of photographs.

The model is  now part of the bank’s balcony level historical display.

Students to stage comedy ‘The Government Inspector’

Wig designer Heather Fleming (left) and costume designer Andrea Gross (right) discuss their design process for "The Government Inspector," as well as careers, graduate school, and life in the theatre with majors and minors.   

The Department of Theatre and Dance will present the satirical comedy “The Government Inspector” Nov. 7-10 at Page Theatre. Shows run 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday, Nov. 8-9, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10.

The news that a government inspector is due to arrive in a small Russian town sends its bureaucrats into a panicked frenzy. A simple case of mistaken identity exposes the hypocrisy and corruption at the heart of the town in this biting moral satire. Witty, smart and wildly satirical, this timely and spirited adaptation of Nikolai Gogol’s classic play exposes the corruption of a provincial town with biting hilarity.

Guest director Gale Childs Daly has served as the text coach for the Great River Shakespeare Festival since its inception in 2006. The actor, director, teacher, writer and dialect/text coach is from Milwaukee, Wis.

The play was selected to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the Romanov Dynasty. Although Russian comedies are known to be dreary and heavy, “The Government Inspector” — adapted by Minnesota playwright Jeffrey Hatcher — is both modern and funny.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and area available at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Students to stage comedy ‘The Government Inspector’

The Department of Theatre and Dance will present the satirical comedy “The Government Inspector” Nov. 7-10 at Page Theatre. Shows run 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 7-9, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10.

The news that a government inspector is due to arrive in a small Russian town sends its bureaucrats into a panicked frenzy. A simple case of mistaken identity exposes the hypocrisy and corruption at the heart of the town in this biting moral satire. Witty, smart and wildly satirical, this timely and spirited adaptation of Nikolai Gogol’s classic play exposes the corruption of a provincial town with biting hilarity.

Guest director Gale Childs Daly has served as the text coach for the Great River Shakespeare Festival since its inception in 2006. The actor, director, teacher, writer and dialect/text coach is from Milwaukee, Wis.

The play was selected to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the Romanov Dynasty.  Although Russian comedies are known to be dreary and heavy, “The Government Inspector” — adapted by Minnesota playwright Jeffrey Hatcher — is both modern and funny. 

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and area available at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Students to stage drama about women and war

The Theatre and Dance Department will present a groundbreaking play about women and war Sept. 28-29.

In “Necessary Targets,” two American women, a Park Avenue psychiatrist and an ambitious young writer, travel to Bosnia to help women refugees confront their memories of war. Based on interviews with numerous women who survived the civil war in the former Yugoslavia, “Necessary Targets” is a timely reminder of how America struggles to define its relationship to the rest of the world. Witness the violence of dark memories and the enduring resilience of the human spirit.

Written by Eve Ensler, and directed by Judy Myers, “Necessary Targets” will run 7:30 p.m.  Saturday, Sept. 28 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, in the Valéncia Academy Theatre, 10th and Vila streets.

Key design positions for this production are covered by seniors including: scene design, Elyssa Mattson; costume design, Tasha Nelson; and sound design, Charlotte Deranek.

Tickets are $10, $5 for students and seniors and are available at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715,

Students to stage drama about women and war

The Theatre and Dance Department will present a groundbreaking play about women and war Sept. 25-26 and 28-29.

In “Necessary Targets,” two American women, a Park Avenue psychiatrist and an ambitious young writer, travel to Bosnia to help women refugees confront their memories of war. Based on interviews with numerous women who survived the civil war in the former Yugoslavia, “Necessary Targets” is a timely reminder of how America struggles to define its relationship to the rest of the world. Witness the violence of dark memories and the enduring resilience of the human spirit.

Written by Eve Ensler, and directed by Judy Myers, “Necessary Targets” will run 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, Sept. 25-26 and 28 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, in the Valéncia Academy Theatre, 10th and Vila streets.

Key design positions for this production are covered by seniors including: scene design, Elyssa Mattson; costume design, Tasha Nelson; and sound design, Charlotte Deranek.

Tickets are $10, $5 for students and seniors and are available at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Theatre and Dance students enjoy outing

Cindy Wang, freshman from Houston, Texas, tries cheese curds for the first time.

Freshman Joseph Lozano tees off at the Lark Toys

The Department of Theatre and Dance conducted its fifth annual Secret Rendezvous welcoming incoming majors and minors last week. The outing involved a trip to LARK Toys, where they rode the carousel, enjoyed treats and mini-golfed.

Second City actors work with SMU students

Andrew Hanzelka '17 in a mirror exercise with Matthew Kornegay '16.

Along with their Page Series performance, actors from Second City conducted an actors workshop with Saint Mary’s theatre students.

Alum returns to direct modern adaptation of ‘Hamlet’

Andrew Russell (Claudius) and Sarah Anderson (Gertrude) watch over Aaron Pepple (Hamlet) and Taylor Marshall-Miernicki (Ophelia) in the Saint Mary’s University Department of Theatre and Dance’s modern adaptation of “Hamlet,” to be staged April 4-7.

This is isn’t your grandfather’s “Hamlet.”

Saint Mary’s alum and Winona native Ann Keen ’94 has returned to her alma mater to direct students in a modern — and rockin’ — version of the familiar Shakespearean tragedy, “Hamlet” April 5-7 in Page Theatre.

Keen, who now lives in St. Charles, Ill., had originally set the classic play in the modern and edgy setting of rock superstardom with her theatre company, Polarity Ensemble Theatre, in Chicago, back in 2008.

Despite taking some serious risks, the play garnered the theatre company (which she founded 10 years ago), the title “Best Emerging Theatre Company in Chicago” by The Chicago Reader.

“I Love Hamlet, but I found that even when it was done with exotic settings, there was still something that dated it,” she said. It was a heavy rock song that sparked Keen’s decision to create a modern, rock-related setting, complete with an original rock score. Hamlet wears black leather; Gertrude is a real cougar in five-inch heels; and Horatio … is a woman.

“In modern times, more roles are filled by women,” she explains.

Her goal is to not only make “Hamlet” accessible but also resonant to larger audiences. “People will know these characters,” she said. “It’s a universal story, with breakups and family tensions, and revenge. Shakespeare makes people nervous because of the language. I’ve had people tell me after seeing our show, ‘I finally understood it, and I loved it.’ And that’s exactly the reaction we were hoping for.”

While staging the show with her theatre company, Keen realized that it would be perfect for college students as it’s set in their world. Faculty in the Department of Theatre and Dance agreed and are happy to welcome Keen back.

The show runs 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 5-6, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 7, in Page Theatre.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and are available online at www.pagetheatre.org or by calling the box office Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Ext. 1715. Faculty and staff can receive two free tickets to this event.

Check out the Winona Daily News preview at
www.winonadailynews.com/news/local/article_a9276b04-9a87-11e2-888c-001a4bcf887a.html.