Welcome to the start of the 2024/2025 academic year! A new year brings new opportunities, and I am excited to continue building on last year’s accomplishments and to create a collaborative environment where we can all thrive. First, I’d like to welcome new students and faculty to our department. Settling into a new environment can be difficult but please know that there are many of us in the Department of Theatre and Dance here to help you.
Over the summer, several physical spaces in the department underwent renovations to make them safer for audiences, performers, and musicians. The biggest changes occurred in the Little Theatre, where technical staff members Matt Connelly and Mandy Horak spent weeks removing the old pit cover; master electrician Lois Bryan replaced the audience lights in the Little and in the Recital Hall; and Heidi Cole and her students in the paint lab received an upgraded sink. These tasks were no small feat, and I appreciate the work Matt, Mandy, Lois and their teams put into these projects. Over the next year, look for continued improvements in the Little Theatre that will enhance its performance environment for everyone.
Collaboration is a driving force behind theatre and dance and I am proud to acknowledge our CSUF faculty, staff, and students for their participation in the moving, theatrical presentation To the Hands, performed with Pacific Chorale’s chamber choir and string quintet. Directed by Prof. Marty Austin Lamar (Area Coordinator, Musical Theatre) and conducted by Dr. Robert Istad (Artistic Director, Pacific Chorale; Director of Choral Studies, School of Music), the program included works ranging from contemporary recording artist Sarah McLachlan to 17th century choral composer Dieterich Buxtehude. The works were chosen to encourage the audience to “listen deeply and think compassionately about those in our community who are lost, disenfranchised, and forgotten.” Other Theatre and Dance collaborators on this project include singer Denean Dyson (Administrative Coordinator), choreographer Courtney Ozovek (Dance), projections designer Omar Ramos (Projections & Media Design), stage management alum Arielle Hightower, and dance students Julia Atkinson, Sophia Bernardo, Mila Gonzales, Erik Jaimes, and Emily Kelley. Congratulations on this powerful and affecting interdisciplinary performance.
The Pacific Chorale performance is just one example of how we can reach out to our colleagues and community to share our art. This year, I challenge us all to engage our audiences in thought-provoking ways; cultivate and encourage unique voices to share their perspective; and to take a moment to appreciate the extraordinary things we create when we work together. I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish collectively this academic year and how these efforts empower our future.
Katie Wilson Chair - Department of Theatre & Dance
FALL CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Oct 1st-31st Theatre & Dance Spring Advising Month
Oct 2nd Transfer Student Town Hall at 4pm (CPAC-110 | Recital Hall)
Oct 10th The Prom- Opening Night Reception
Oct 10th-19th The Prom performances (Little Theatre)
Oct 18th-19th Sometimes, I Wish- new works heightened reading at Grand Central
Oct 24th Blood Wedding Opening Night Reception in CPAC Grand Foyer (post performance)
Oct 24th-Nov 2nd Blood Wedding (Young Theatre)
Oct 25th-Nov 2nd Laramie Project: Ten Years Later (Arena)
Oct 27th Cereal Halloween Costume Party at 6-7pm (CPAC Grand Foyer)
Nov 15th-17th Opera Scenes (Recital Hall)
Nov 7th Lost Girl- Opening Night Reception in CPAC Grand Foyer (post performance)
Nov 7th- 16th Lost Girl (Hallberg Theatre)
Nov 30th University deadline for new student applications
Dec 2nd-7th Auditions for Spring Shows
Dec 5th Fall Dance Theatre- Opening Night Reception in the Little Theatre lobby (post performance)
Dec 5th-14th Fall Dance Theatre (Little Theatre)
Dec 6th-14th Really, Really at Grand Central Theatre
Dec 16th-20th Final Exams
T&D STUDENTS TRIP TO PRAGUE
In the Theatre’s Design and Technical Production Program, Professor JR Luker and two students, Madison Williams and Sarai Ortiz, traveled to Prague, Czech Republic to participate in a blend of creative and research activities. They collaborated with researchers from Boston University conducting 3d scanning workshops, creative workshops with Prague Shakespeare Company, and cultural arts events the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Culture office at Czechia’s National Arts and Theatre Institute (ATI).
TRIP TO EDINBURGH
Thrilling, inspirational, life-changing—these are just a few of the words our Devised Performance students used to describe their unforgettable trip to Edinburgh, Scotland, this summer. In collaboration with the CSUF Study Abroad program, students in the Devised Performance/Physical Theatre BFA and the Design/Tech BA had the incredible opportunity to take an original production to the world-renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Immersed in a vibrant arts scene, some students managed to see up to sixteen shows during their 10-day stay. They participated in a workshop with performers from the Tectonic Theater Project, watched new works from other colleges from across the US, and experienced the excitement and fulfillment of taking an original production overseas.
“TO THE HANDS”
Marty Austin Lamar
Director
Courtney Ozovek
Choreographer
Omar Ramos Projection
Designer
Denean Dyson
Mezzo-soprano
From the Director: To the Hands was a devised work, two years in the making. My responsibility was to envision a physical, theatrical representation of a carefully curated repertoire of diverse music. The spine of the work is To the Hands, a choral piece by Pulitzer Prize composer, Caroline Shaw. My collaboration with Rob Istad (Artistic Director, Pacific Chorale) and Alex Nelson (Vice-President, Artistic Production and Operations) was grounded in the need to bring awareness to the human crisis of need, loss, and community. The project was grounded with the question Would You Harbor Me? a featured selection in the production. I assembled a team of phenomenal artists that understand the power of collaboration, storytelling, risk, and community. Choreographed by Courtney Ozovek, Projection Design by Omar Ramos with featured mezzo-soprano, Denean Dyson. I was honored to craft a work that synthesized song, dance, and technology. Our community of artists included CSUF Alumi, Arielle Hightower (Stage Manager), and Julia Atkinson, Sophia Bernardo, Mila Gonzales, Erik Jaimes, and Emily Kelley (Company of Dancers).
Omar Ramos (Projection Designer)
On Collaboration: “Professor Lamar had a clear vision and direction for the piece while remaining flexible and open to new ideas. As a collaborator, he very clearly communicated his intention with the piece in a way that provided a framework and guiding light for my creative contribution. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with him again. Everyone on the team was welcoming, kind, and forgiving of mistakes when they were made.”
Denean Dyson (Mezzo-Soprano)
“To the Hands” was one of the most artistically meaningful and fulfilling projects I have had the privilege of participating in in a very long time. Confronting the often-overlooked stories of the displaced and connecting that story to our own communities was made real for me and our audience thanks to everyone’s contributions on this project. I’m still moved to tears recalling the truly transformative story that unfolded through visual and performance arts in the 16 short rehearsals we shared together!
Collaborating artistically with my colleagues and alumni from our own Theatre & Dance Department is something I will always treasure about this experience. “To the Hands” continues to live on in my heart, and I am all the more grateful to have been a part of it! Thank you to everyone who was involved.
Production Photos by Jamie Pham and Drew Kelley
24-HOUR PLAY FESTIVAL
On September 14th, students gathered to perform 10-minute plays that were written, rehearsed, and performed in less than a day.
SUMMER UPGRADES TO THE LITTLE
SEASON SELECTION 25/26
Please submit your suggestions for the 25/26 mainstage theatrical season. The theme for next season is “Dreams”. All are invited to make suggestions. If your proposal is selected to the next step, then you will be asked to make a “pitch” for your production to the Season Selection Advisory Committee. Deadlines for submissions will be in early October.
