VISION STATEMENT MESSAGE FROM THE VICE-CHAIR ANNOUNCEMENTS FALL CALENDAR & DEPARTMENT EVENTS STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS COMP POLICY DUERR RESOURCE CENTER
DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE & DANCE
VISION STATEMENT
The Department of Theatre and Dance at California State University of Fullerton strives to create a diverse inclusive environment that raises awareness, instills compassion, advocates for our community, and supports our students in their creative and academic goals. As a department we are committed to developing innovative and unique educational experiences. We strive to challenge our students to develop their curiosity as artists and cultural leaders of tomorrow. Our goal is to inspire, nurture, challenge, educate, and empower our students.
Welcome back to faculty, staff, and students. I am excited to begin this new academic year, and my second year as Vice-Chair and Dance Program Coordinator. These roles have come with both rewards and challenges; however, I see growth being rooted in finding the balance between them. “Why am I an artist?” I consider myself a dancer, choreographer, and educator in which all three facets contribute to my creative process and help define my artistic identity. My studio practice is rooted in my love for movement that began before I can even remember. The study of codified dances influences my fluid movement aesthetic and vocabulary while creating choreography. However, I am continually inspired by how my Puerto Rican culture, and other cultures around the world use dance a way to build deeper connections and healing. Dance has given me purpose; dance has been one of my spiritual practices; dance has allowed me to travel the world and experience it in a deeper, more profound way. Dance gives me comfort and often safety; nevertheless, it forces me to stretch and work in situations that are beyond my comfort zone. The principles I uphold in my work and teaching are parallel to those I live by in daily life. These principles include embracing the human condition, the healing properties of movement, and the power of collaboration. I construct from a place of collective action, transparency, compassion, and persistence. I strive to empower others in their authenticity and personal stories. Dance has made me a better teacher. As a dance educator, each student matters as a unique individual. Each student’s unique experience brings an awareness and consciousness that contributes to the community of learners in my creative processes and classroom/studio. I encourage each student to mindfully and respectfully share their point of view, personal experiences, questions, and insight. Working with dancers of various levels of training, backgrounds, and beliefs, inspires my work and delivers a richer outcome. Through the three lenses of being a dancer, choreographer, and educator, I continue to find myself being a student, and vow to always share my knowledge while also being open to receive new information that will influence my life and work. Alvin Rangel-Alvarado Vice Chair - Department of Theatre & Dance
FALL CALENDAR Nov 3rd-5th
The Boys and the Nuns (Arena Theatre)
Nov 6th Enough! Plays to End Gun Violence (Arena Theatre) Nov 9th A Chorus Line- Opening Night Reception & Alumni Mixer • RSVP Here Nov 9th-Dec 2nd A Chorus Line (Little Theatre) Nov 30th
Fall Dance Theatre- Opening Night Reception & Alumni Mixer • RSVP Here (post performance)
Nov 30th-Dec 9th Fall Dance Theatre (Hallberg Theatre) Dec 1st Intimacy Workshop with Amanda Rose Villarreal • 4-8pm • CPAC-121 Dec 4th-8th
Auditions for Spring Shows
Dec 11th-15th
Final Exams
DEPARTMENT EVENTS FALL 2023 Enough! Plays to End Gun Violence • Nov 6th • Arena Theatre ENOUGH! creates spaces for teens to confront gun violence by creating new works of theatre that will ignite critical conversations and inspire meaningful action, emboldening America’s playwrights of tomorrow to discover and develop their voices today. It will be one night of staged readings. For more information regarding participation, contact Collette Rutherford crutherford@csu.fullerton.edu The Boys and the Nuns • Directed by Jonny Martinez • Arena Theatre • Nov 9th-12th CSUF Theatre & Dance Department partnered with New York’s Latiné Musical Theatre Lab to source up-and-coming Musical Theatre writers and composers who have been vetted by the lab and have promising new works already in development. This is a unique, innovative, and desperately needed project in that it literally harnesses the creative power of the HSI Community to solve history inequities in Latiné representation. Plot: In 1986, a group of LGBTQ activists from Chicago’s “Boystown” are weary - they have been fighting City Hall to pass the “Gay Rights Ordinance” since 1972. Enter a group of Catholic Sisters who band together with the activists while embroiled in their own fight for equal rights within the church. And in the middle, Pablo, a musician searching for his place in the world. Inspired by true events, The Boys and the Nuns is an examination of identity, belonging, and faith, woven together with the music of the 80s, from Spanish language power ballads to synthy new wave to Chicago’s homegrown house music. Intimacy Workshop with Amanda Rose Villarreal • Dec 1st • CPAC-121 • RSVP Here This workshop covers practices and tools that you can enfold into your own artistic practice in classrooms and in production. We will introduce tools for developing a consent-based process, self-care as a theatre artist, setting boundaries, choreographing intimacy and documenting intimacy choreography. Spring Auditions • Dec 4th-8th (9th and 10th if needed) Spring Auditions will be held for Marisol and Urinetown. Please check the Audition Canvas Page 2 weeks prior to auditions for information about sides, character breakdowns and audition requirements. If you need access to the Auditions Page, please contact Denean Dyson dedyson@fullerton.edu Basic Needs Services for Students are asking for donations of full-sized hygiene products and lightly used professional clothes. Heather Denyer will bring items over to McCarthy Hall, room 143 at 2:00 every Tuesday. Please feel free to drop anything off in or near her office CPAC 134 (there’s a table outside of the office) or leave it in Heather’s mailbox.
WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN TO STUDY THEATRE? WHAT EXCITES YOU AS AN ARTIST? WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO DO ONCE YOU GRADUATE FROM CSUF?
HEATHER BUCKLER - THEATRE I have chosen to study theater because I love the power of storytelling. I wanted to develop my artistic skills and be involved in a creative community. I was initially afraid to take this path because most people tell you it’s not feasible. While it is a difficult road, I am incredibly passionate and devoted to it. I love being an actor and being able to create. As an artist, using my craft to help people is exciting. It brings me so much joy seeing people reconnect with themselves. I love telling stories that heal, inspire, and potentially change perspectives. Theatre is a powerful way to promote social change. I also appreciate how much work goes into putting on a show. It is inspiring to collaborate with the entire cast. I get the privilege of working alongside some incredibly creative and talented individuals. The journey of putting on a show excites me more than the final product. After graduating, I plan to continue acting and writing for film and theater. Whether I am actively working or not, I always want to be practicing my craft!
ROHAN CHUGANI - THEATRE I am Rohan Chugani, an Indian American actor hailing from Orange County. Acting, to me, is a profound form of expression where I lay my heart on the line, never truly knowing how it will resonate with each unique audience member. My passion for acting and art is ignited by the beauty of individualism and the boundless power of the human spirit. Regarding the pursuit of theatre education: I study theatre so I can learn how to communicate with an audience with the aspiration of projecting my intricate imagination onto the theatrical stage for years to come. I like to tell myself that performing is bigger than just me; it is an artform that motivates me and will be here centuries after I’m gone.
MADISON DABALOS - DANCE I chose to study dance because I felt like there was so much more for me to learn from the artform and about myself. When I was thinking about college during my last year of high school, I had more questions than answers and I didn’t know if I could do it. My audition at CSUF changed my whole perspective on who I am and what I could become. Why dance? Simply put, I feel as though it’s the one thing I am great at, and I want to continue being great at! Through dance, I have learned collaboration, discipline, confidence, and self-expression. Nothing feels more exhilarating than when I am performing on stage under those bright, blinding lights. I enjoy being able to share my passion with the audience. Following graduation, I plan to apply for certification in Pilates and will continue to take dance classes. After certification, I plan to audition for modern contemporary-based companies and teach Pilates. Wherever I end up, I hope to be performer for as long as I can.
ETHAN DAVIS - THEATRE I chose to study musical theatre because it’s something that I have been passionate about for a very long time. There is always something new to discover, which is what excites me as an artist. I also love the process of creation, of being able to see a production come together and turn into beautiful art is such an amazing feeling. Once I graduate, I plan to audition as much as possible and to use the knowledge and experience I’ve gained at CSUF in my professional work.
ANAKARINA GALLARDO - THEATRE My journey in theater started before I even realized it! As a child, I would put on plays and dance performances in my living room with my cousins as cast members. It was all I ever looked forward to! Since my heart runs on the rush of being on stage, I decided to study theater further. At CSUF, I have been blessed with memorable opportunities to participate in musicals, plays, dance showcases, and an opera. Additionally, I have created choreography for main stage productions and participated in character development and directing projects on campus. Seeing these efforts come to life is so rewarding but between balancing rehearsal, classes, homework, and a social life, it can be easy to forget how far this journey has taken me. After graduation, I would like to pursue a career that allows me to share my passion for theater by developing arts education programs for all ages in underserved communities. I look forward to the future and cannot wait to celebrate the careers of all of those who have shared these years at CSUF with me.
KELVIN HERNANDEZ - DANCE I chose to study dance because I was inspired by my high school teacher, Oscar Gonzalez, he said, “you will regret the decision of not taking Dance as a career” and I really felt that sink in, whereas I only feel the most connected to Dance apart from other interests. Although it was a risk, I felt brave enough to pursue what I dreamt of being since my childhood. What excites me as an artist is being able to create unique movement and playing around with different skills, I love a good audience and I always like everyone to enjoy great entertainment and have some deep emotional connection. Once I graduate from CSUF, I would possibly like to own a studio and not only teach fun choreography but organize workout/fitness classes in different categories and Pilates/ yoga classes. Other than my possible career plan I also dream to own a Bakery Café.
REBECCA JAUREGUI - THEATRE In eighth grade, I received a flyer in the mail advertising a summer theatre program for high school freshman. At the time I was in the Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Schools Program, building Lego robotics for competitions at Fresno State. It was academically rewarding, but not exhilarating. I decided to take a break from MESA and sign up for the theatre program; I never looked back. Later, I became president of my high school theatre program and produced several plays and rally performances. What inspires me is seeing my fellow artists and friends succeed. There is no better feeling than greeting your friend at the stage door of the show you helped them audition for. My heart also jumps when I see fellow Latinos being represented on stage and screen as more than just stereotypes. It makes me happy to know that the dream we immigrated here for is coming true. Immediately after graduation, I plan to audition for both screen and stage (focusing more on screen). My dream gig is to be a main character on an iconic TV sitcom but eventually I would like to start my own production company and travel around the world filming people’s stories.
KRISTIE KISAKYE - THEATRE My name is Kristie Kisakye and I am a first-year B.A. theatre student. My journey to being a theatre student comes from the desire to break cultural stigmas, particularly in Uganda where acting is sometimes dismissed as an impractical career choice. By pursuing theatre, I can study what I have loved doing since I was a child, leveraging the privilege of going to college to break the stereotype that one cannot turn their passion into a profession. As an artist, I find excitement in self-expression and joy in bringing new perspectives and experiences to others through theatre. It is fascinating to have your work be recognized and appreciated. The nerves and adrenaline that go right before I get on stage are like a switch that turns on, making me feel like I can conquer the world keeps me coming back. The stage is my safe space where I don’t feel judged. After graduation, I envision a career as an actress where I can contribute to a more diverse narrative and experience and break barriers in theatre. I want to create stories as a producer and director and represent Uganda on a global stage by lending my voice to stories that need to be heard.
MADELEINE LINDBECK - DANCE I chose to study dance because it was one of the only majors I knew I would enjoy the entire time and would be both mentally and physically engaged. Dance is what allows me to find my most genuine expression and confidence in a way I cannot find anywhere else. One thing that excites me the most as an artist is when I am working on a technique that is either difficult or outside of my typical movement style and I see a little bit of improvement. I thoroughly enjoy seeing the progression and how much I can improve in a technique class. After I graduate from CSUF, I hope to join a modern dance company where I can perform professionally.
AMAYA SEMROW - THEATRE Amaya Semrow is a freshman at Cal State Fullerton. She is majoring in Devised Performance and Physical Theater to explore the process of storytelling from the initial creation to performance. She finds the energy between actors on stage exhilarating. She chose to study theater because live theater provides a unique environment where like minded artists get to express their passion through story. Once she graduates her goal is to perform and create in the live theater community. Whether it is as sketch comedy writer, designer or stage performer Amaya wants to live her life in the arts.
SHERIDAN VIEYRA - STAGE MANAGEMENT I used to be a psychology major, but once I went to community college, I volunteered as an Assistant Stage Manager for a theater show. I had been part of theater since I was in elementary school, but never thought it could be a career I could afford to pursue. However, as I learned more about the technical side of theater, I discovered stage management. In the stage manager emphasis, I have found that the “tech” process is one of the most exciting parts of a production. Although it has its own challenges, putting everything together and seeing the production with all the elements for the first time is such an incredible experience. I also get to see everyone involved with the process work diligently to create a beautiful production. I hope to start working in the Los Angeles/Orange County area as soon as I graduate. I want to continue to be a stage manager who supports the production and its needs as well as offering a helping hand to everyone involved in the process. I hope to find work in the theater or dance field and eventually become a production manager.
THEATRE AND DANCE COMP POLICY 2023-2024 • Chair: Katie Wilson • Department Faculty, Staff & Grad Asst. Students (paid by department): Two (2) complimentary tickets per production (including COTA operas/musicals) • Production designers, choreographers, vocal coaches, and musical directors Two (2) complimentary tickets per production One (1) complimentary ticket per performance for yourself only. • Department design assistants, asst. directors, asst. choreographers and other production assistants for particular shows do NOT get comps unless authorized by chair. • Production Directors: Two (2) complimentary tickets for the production you directed. One (1) complimentary ticket per performance for yourself only. Additional requests for comps must be approved in advance by the Department Chair or Vice Chair. Issuance of complimentary tickets is subject to availability at time of request. * Please contact Stephanie Tancredi (stancredi@fullerton.edu) in advance for any special accommodations or ticket reservations.
DEPARTMENT CANVAS PAGE
The Department of Theatre and Dance has a new Canvas page for all of those in our department community, which is meant to be a central location for information. Please refer to this page for general information about productions, classes, contact information for faculty and staff, departmental announcements, a virtual call board for student projects, and general information about the Department and University.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
If you have any suggestions for future topics to be included in the Newsletter, please contact Katie Wilson katwilson@fullerton.edu
TRANSFORMING THE DUERR LIBRARY FOR A NEW GENERATION From the Department Chair: I’m happy to announce that plans are underway to transform the space we know as the Duerr Library into the Duerr Resource Center (slated for spring 2024). While there are several generations of theatre and dance students who have benefited from the Duerr, there are few who remember the career and contributions of the man it was named after. Edwin Duerr was one of our earliest faculty members and taught in the then Department of Theatre from 1964 to 1974. During his tenure, he made major contributions to the development of the acting/directing program and staged notable, sometimes controversial, productions. In 1968, he directed the first full U.S. production of “The Firebugs,” a 1958 celebrated dark comedy about the dangers of complacency in the face of fascism. Duerr received his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley – where he later headed the Drama department – and his M.A. from Cornell University. After Berkeley, he spent time in New York City and had a distinguished career as a director, teacher, and writer working in radio, T.V., and film. He also nurtured several of his acting students to careers in theatre and film, including Gloria Stuart and Gregory Peck. Shortly before his death in 1985, he donated his extensive library of theatre books, play scripts, biographies, and works on theatre history, theory, and criticism to the department. The theatre collection at the time was modest but Ed’s donation significantly expanded the offerings available. In his honor, the collection was renamed the Edwin Duerr Theatre and Dance Collection. Most recently, the collection was expanded by a donation from the estate of Richard Odell. It is because of his generous gift that we can make these upgrades to the space. The Duerr Collection remains a resource for students in the department, but it is not equipped with the tools that today’s students need. By refreshing the interior and adding resources, we can preserve the history of the department and the legacy of Edwin Duerr by creating a space where our students are better able to conduct research, study, and collaborate. I’m excited to share more updates with you all very soon!
Katie Wilson (she/her) Chair - Department of Theatre & Dance