Category: Theatre

Brighton Beach Memoirs Auditions

BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS AUDITIONS

Announcing OPEN AUDITIONS for Tech Theatre’s production of Brighton Beach Memoirs, by America’s preeminent Broadway playwright, Neil Simon.  The play is a comedy chronicling the life of Eugene Jerome, a 15-year-old aspiring playwright and baseball pitcher.  While Brighton Beach Memoirs takes place in Brooklyn, NY, during the Great Depression, the play is timeless in its depiction of lovable characters struggling to maneuver through life’s challenges.  The cast calls for 3 men and 4 women with parts for a girl (12 or 13 years) and a young man (15-16 years).  Auditions will be held in the McArdle Theatre, Walker 208, on the Michigan Tech campus, Wednesday, September 4, and Thursday, September 5, at 7:00 p.m.  The audition will be comprised of informal theatre games and reading from the script.  Please arrive at 7:00 p.m. The production will be performed October 17-19, and October 24-26.  Rehearsals begin September 8.  Directed by Patricia Helsel.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR AUDITIONS:  Read the play and familiarize yourself with the scenes.  Scripts are available in the VPA office (Walker 209) and may be checked out for 24 hours.  All scripts must be returned to the VPA office by Thursday, September 5, 4:00 p.m.  Study the scenes provided here (“sides”).  Read for the part you feel most suited.  While not required, memorize and work with a partner.  Being familiar with the scene gives you an obvious advantage.

Show up before 7 pm on Wednesday, September 4 OR Thursday, September 5.  We will engage in some informal theatre games then move on to reading from the script!  You will be given copies of the audition scenes at the audition and will be expected to read from the sides.

CHARACTERS:

The character descriptions provided here are intended as a starting place for determining what role(s) you should consider.  Ages are relative to how the character should appear to the audience, NOT the expected age of the actorJ

Eugene Jerome:  15 years old.  Smart.  Sensible.  Sarcastic.  Adolescent, and fixated on girls.  Naïve.  Sees himself as a writer, hence the ongoing commentary of his family.  Is not above writing notes and letters for others to put himself in a positive light or in a position of power.  Looks up to his brother Stanley.  He has a love-hate relationship with Stanley, as brothers can sometimes be cruel.  Gets blamed for everything that goes wrong in the house.  Errand boy for mom.  Introvert.  Wants to be a pitcher for the Yankees.  A baseball fanatic.  (What boy wasn’t n 1937?)  Hates liver and cabbage.  Complains with regularity, pointing out the obvious double standard of behavior for himself and his female cousins.

Kate Jerome:  @ 40 years old.  Stoic.  Caregiver for all.  Superstitious to a fault.  Distrusts outsiders.  Set in the ways established by her Russian immigrant parents.  She is a fatalist in one moment but believes you can always find the good in something.  Controlling.  Doesn’t like confrontation.  Rarely gets out of the house.  She is a “work horse.”

Stan Jerome: 18 years old.  Eugene’s older brother.  Has been working in the garment district as a stock boy for the past 2 years, since he graduated from high school.  Torn by what he feels is right and what is essential for the good of his family.  Can never seem to win.  Gambles, lives dangerously.  Acts as a father figure to Eugene when his father is ill.  Athletic.  Believes his father is perfect.  Well intentioned.  Contributes his salary to the family.

Jack Jerome:  40-45 years old.  Eugene’s father.  Works as a cutter in the garment district, while working evenings as a salesman to make ends meet.  He is the provider for his immediate and extended family. Religious.  Takes working hard to the extreme.  Deals with high blood pressure and eventually suffers a heart attack.  Strong role model for his sons.  He is wise.

Blanche Morton:  38 years old.  She is Eugene’s aunt, Kate’s sister.  Widowed six years ago, she depends on her sister’s family to care for her and her two daughters.  Carries a great deal of guilt, the burden of living off others.  Naïve about the world as she has always been protected by her sister and husband.  She is described as “good looking,” “the pretty one.”   Sleeps with a picture of her dead husband.  Has poor eyesight which she attributes to strain while doing seamstress work to contribute to the family.  She suffers from asthma which acts up under stress.

Nora Morton:  16 years old.  Eugene’s cousin.  Blanche’s eldest daughter.  She studies dance and aspires to dance on Broadway.  Is desperate to escape the confines of the household to experience the adventures of the Great White Way.  Often frustrated that her mother is unable to make decisions.  She misses her father dearly. Resents the attention given to her sister Laurie.  Has a propensity toward being “snotty,” though no more than average teenage angst.

Laurie:  13 years old.  Eugene’s cousin.  Blanche’s youngest daughter.  Frail.  Has a supposed heart condition that requires her to rest and avoid exercise or stress.  Coddled by her mother and aunt Kate.  Has learned to manipulate her mother to get out of work.  Her interests are mostly academic though she likes movies.  She tries to act in Nora’s best interest.

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Auditions being held for “Brighton Beach Memoirs”

Auditions will include informal theatre games as well as reading from the script.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Jane Kirby.

Rozsa Center 2013-14 Season

Rozsa CenterOver the years, the Rozsa Center has become known for the funny, dramatic or thoughtful performances, plays and musicals it puts on during its yearly season and the programming scheduled for its 2013-14 season will be no different.

“I’m always excited about all the seasons, but in particular I’m really excited about this coming season,” Rozsa Center Director Susanna Brent said. “We’re doing a lot of theater that’s close to my heart.”

Read more at the Mining Gazette, by Scott Viau.

Dancers Fly in “Beautiful” at the Rozsa June 19

Beautiful


As a part of FinnFest 2013, Michigan Tech’s Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts presents three nights of “Beautiful: A Cirque-Tale of How the Butterfly Grew Her Wings,” Wednesday, June 19, 9 p.m.; Thursday, June 20, 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, June 21, 7:30 p.m. Creator/Producer/Director Jennifer Kelly describes “Beautiful” as “A metaphysical and visceral experience inspired by the life cycle of a caterpillar.”

“Beautiful” is the brain-child of Kelly and Aerial Choreographer Jason Whicker. Whicker’s aerial work surpasses flight originally created for any show on or off Broadway. Featured guest choreographers include “So You Think You Can Dance” finalist Robert Taylor, Jr., and Dreya Weber, Pink’s Aerial choreographer.

Read more at Tech Today.

‘Beautiful’ — a tale of transformation

Most everyone knows of the wonder and spectacle that Cirque du Soleil shows can bring, now residents of the Copper Country and beyond can experience “Beautiful,” a cirque-style show that will be premiering next week at the Rozsa Center.

“It’s a woman’s transformative journey,” she said. “It’s about how we’re either paralyzed by (change) or transformed by it, but ultimately if we embrace our own hero story, we’ll become transformed.”

Read more at the Mining Gazette, by Scott Viau.

Theatre Students in Michigan Tech Magazine Spring 2013

Katy EllenichThe article Faking It by Jennifer Donovan concerns Tech theatre students and the art of illusion.

Each year, students and professionals who work in theatre technology—sound, lighting, costumes, stage effects—gather at the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) annual conference.

“Each year, there is usually one, maybe two student presentations, ordinarily by graduate students,” says Mary Carol Friedrich, associate professor and director of theatre design and technology programs at Michigan Tech. “That our students, all undergrads, were chosen to present speaks to the strength of the very practical and professionally relevant work they are doing in the degree programs in the visual and performing arts department.”

A bent for swordsmithing is about Matt Willett, a Michigan Tech theatre technology student who had dabbled in magic when he was in high school and had seen a sword trick or two.

Willett’s teacher, Assistant Professor Kalen Larson, was so impressed with Willett’s creation that he invited the student to write a paper about it with him.

OMG! From wet head to up-do in five minutes is about Elizabeth LaRouche, who is working as costume shop manager in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts.

Sew faux: painted embroidery for the Shakespearean stage is about Katy Ellenich, a Calumet native who worked at the Calumet Theatre all through high school.

Making every new glove old again is about Morgan Nelson, a third-year costume design student from Cadillac.

Read more at Michigan Tech Magazine, by Jennifer Donovan.

For more color photos, including a high flying performance in Stealing Fire, view the PDF or Flash versions.

Learn more about the BA program in Theatre and Electronic Media Performance and the BS program in Theatre and Entertainment Technology.

Service Recognition for Beckwith and Bruch

Michigan Tech Employee Service Recognition Event

On May 15, faculty and staff members, along with their guests, gathered at the Memorial Union Ballroom for an awards dinner recognizing 25, 30, 35, and 40 years of service to Michigan Tech.

Associate Professor of Theatre Debra Bruch was recognized for 25 years of service.

Emeritus Professor of Art Mary Ann Beckwith was recognized for 40 years of service.

Read more at Tech Today.

REF for Kalen Larson

Kalen LarsonResearch Excellence Fund Awards Announced

The vice president for research is pleased to announce this year’s recipients of the Research Excellence Fund Awards, and would like to thank all of the review committee members for participating in this important internal award process.

In the Department of Visual and Performing Arts, Kalen Larson received a Scholarship and Creativity Grant.

Read more at Tech Today.

A Beautiful Intensive Workshop

A Beautiful Intensive WorkshopA BEAUTIFUL INTENSIVE: 3-Week Aerial, Dance & Flying Intensive Workshop is an elite experience in dance, aerial arts, and performer flying effects held at Michigan Tech University that will culminate in showcase performances as part of FinnFest 2013 of a new show called BEAUTIFUL: A Cirque-Tale of how the butterfly grew her wings.

Program Dates: May 28 – June 21, 2013

The application deadline for the 2013 program is MAY 1st.

Learn more about A Beautiful Intensive.

Fiddler Takes the Stage

Fiddler Rehearsal

CELEBRATE ‘TRADITION’ WITH THE BELOVED BROADWAY MUSICAL “FIDDLER ON THE ROOF”

The Tech Theatre Company and Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra present one of the most-loved Broadway musicals of all time, “Fiddler on the Roof,” this Thursday, April 18th through Saturday, April 20th, at 7:30 PM, in the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts at Michigan Technological University. “Fiddler on the Roof,” is a timeless tale of a father trying to maintain traditions at odds with modern culture. “Fiddler” features music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joseph Stein, set in Tsarist Russia in 1905. It is based on “Tevye and his Daughters “(or “Tevye the Milkman and Other Tales”) by Sholem Aleichem. The story centers on Tevye, the father of five daughters, and his attempts to maintain his family and Jewish religious traditions while outside influences encroach upon their lives.

According to Director Roger Held, “Economic depression, threats of war, ethnic hatred and violence grab at Tevye’s shirt sleeve as he makes his way through the world caring for his family and horse, seeing his children married well, and dreaming of a better life. Tevye is “every man,” every one of us who share hope, joy, and heartache.” Local radio personality Mark Wilcox makes his Tech Theatre Company debut in the lead role of Tevye. The original Broadway production of the show, which opened in 1964, had the first musical theatre run in history to surpass 3,000 performances.

By Bethany Jones.

‘Fiddler on the Roof’ at the Rozsa Center

To put it simply, “Fiddler” tells the story of Tevye, who, in order to make his five daughters happy, foregoes tradition and allows them to marry the men they choose, with unforeseen consequences. On top of this, Tevye must also deal with antisemitic threats.

Director Roger Held said “Fiddler on the Roof” is a show that’s been talked about being performed in this area for a while but hadn’t had the opportunity to get it off the ground until now.

Read more at Mining Gazette, by Scott Viau.

“Fiddler on the Roof”
Classical musical to be performed on the Rozsa stage next week

Renowned as one of the world’s favorite musicals, “Fiddler on the Roof” brings to life a story about the goodness and oddness that life has to offer.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Travis Pellosma.

Kalen Larson Publishes on Theatre Techniques

FauxberglassAssistant Professor Kalen Larson (VPA) published articles in two journals in March. “Impaled by a Sword,” co-authored with VPA student Matt Willett, was published in Tech Expo 2013, a juried journal produced by the United States Institute for Theatre Technology. An article titled, “Fauxberglass: An Inexpensive Alternative to Fiberglass,” appeared in Technical Design Solutions for Theatre, published by Focal Press.

From Tech Today.