Issue 3 - December 2017
Welcome to the third issue of the
OTAND Update! With each issue, we strive to focus on a diverse selection of alumni in order to celebrate their skills and passions, learn how an Otterbein Theatre and Dance education has helped them in their careers, and to take a peek into the lives of our classmates and professors, as well as our predecessors and successors. For this issue, we decided to focus on “locals” - those who ultimately decided to stay near or return to Central Ohio. In this issue, you will find updates from around campus, alumni interviews, and more.
This issue is also an opportunity to reflect on Homecoming Weekend and plans for Bring It Home, 2020! We can’t make this happen without you. Join us! We are seeking people to be involved in the organization and planning. You don’t have to be local to have a big impact! This Update contains plenty of news from campus too. The Department is proud to welcome alumna Julianne D’Errico (‘13) who returned to teach costume history and makeup this semester! Last, but certainly not least, I want to give a warm welcome and huge shout out to Bradley Barnes (‘08), who is joining our OTAND Communications team with this newsletter. As always, please keep in touch and send us your updates. Happy Reading! - Trenton Weaver (‘11)
HOMECOMING RECAP Homecoming 2017 was a great success! Otterbein Theatre and Dance alums from multiple decades as well as current professors and students gathered Saturday, September 23rd at the Wine Bistro. Attendees sampled various wines, but more importantly, alumni spanning generations mingled and shared with one another memories from their time at Otterbein. On Sunday morning, over twenty alumni crowded into the Cowan Design Studio to discuss current OTAND business and to generate ideas for how OTAND can better serve alumni. We are excited for the creation of regional hubs to serve our widespread population, the recruitment of class agents who will help spread the word, and our big Bring It Home 2020! event, with our Honorary Chair, Petie Dodrill!
Alumni on Sunday 9/24 in the Design Studio meeting to discuss planning for signature alumni event, Bring it Home 2020! A huge thank you to everyone who attended.
IN THIS ISSUE... • • • • •
A Passion to Inspire: Central Ohio educators share their stories. Showing up: A small theatre troupe leaves a big impact. It’s all in the Details: Alumni working together at Mills James. The Theatre the Dodrills Built: Petie ensures the legacy continues. Faculty Spotlight: Meet Musical Theatre Professor Thom Warren.
December 2017- OTAND Newsletter
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ALUMNI UPDATE
For many of us, there comes a point when we owe our careers in the theatre to a special teacher. It could be a high school drama teacher; a community theatre director; even a coach from a local children’s theatre; but a good teacher always serves as invaluable inspiration.
A Passion to Inspire When we decided to turn our eyes toward local alumni we realized just how many have decided to put their talents to use educating young performers, technicians, and creators. In many cases these amazing teachers have inspired future theatre professionals and educators all over Central Ohio. Krista Stauffer (‘02), Scott Wilson (‘94), Mary Randle (‘92), and Cynthia Macioce (‘78) all graciously volunteered to talk about their experiences and to share how they chose teaching and what they’ve learned themselves. What exactly do you do and what are your responsibilities? Krista: I am an Acting Coach and Teaching Artist at Columbus Children’s Theatre. I’ve taught students from age three up to high school seniors. […] I focus mainly on audition prep. This leads me to work with mostly juniors and seniors on their package for college auditions. I also work [...], in teaching the Advanced Performance Academy in the summer. This is a four-week intensive for high school students where they work during the day on technique and methods, and in the evening rehearse for a full production. Cynthia: [Gahanna Jefferson Public Schools] I teach a full schedule of theatre classes during the day, rehearse the current show offering after school and also attend committee and booster meetings in the evening. Twelve to fourteen hour days are normal. We are preparing to perform at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland in August 2018, so that is also on the plate this year. Mary: I’m currently the Theater Director for Hilliard Bradley High School, in Hilliard, Ohio. This is my second year as Director. I’m responsible for picking the season and getting five shows produced. We do two main stage productions, two black box productions, and one musical. I’m also the Thespian Troupe Director.
I could write a novel about how Cindi (Mama) Macioce touched my life and inspired me to work in theatre. The thing that I carry with me today in my work is that it’s not about talent, it’s always first about kindness, dedication, and putting in the hard work. Mama shows respect to students who respect each other and their work. - Katie Falter (‘13)
What inspired you to choose a career involving theatre education?
What are your favorite projects from your career and why?
Krista: I actually started as a BA in Acting with the desire to receive my Education degree as a double major. I learned early-on that I actually prefer not teaching in schools. To be honest, I never really imagined I’d ever work as a theatre educator! I took on a teaching position upon recommendation from a colleague at Columbus Children’s Theatre, and never looked back! I also began performing professionally with CATCO and Short North Stage that same year, so being able to combine my own experience and pass it on to my students was a great opportunity
Krista: One of my favorite productions and one of my greatest learning experiences came from working on Sunday In the Park With George at Short North Stage in 2013. The director, Sarna Lapine, came with such a unique take on the show, being the niece of the original book author and director, James Lapine. The production was incredible, with a team from places like the Met Opera and Tony-winning sound designers, not to mention a phenomenally talented cast.
Cynthia: While touring with a few shows early in my career, I started volunteering to do outreach classes in the current cities in which we were performing. After witnessing the kids’ total ‘buy in,’ I knew I had to include theatre education somewhere in my life.
Scott: I am currently a school counselor for Columbus City Schools, but I taught high school theatre for eighteen years. As a teacher, I predominantly taught theatre, but also English and Speech courses. I directed anywhere from two to six shows each year depending on the building.
Mary: Before I worked at Bradley, I worked for Shadowbox Live from 1994-2014. In 2016, I became the Bradley Theater Director. When the opportunity was presented to me, it just seemed like the next step in my theatre career. What better way to share your passion than to inspire that passion in others
Title Photo: Columbus Children’s Theatre Advanced Performance Academy
Scott: I left Otterbein knowing that I wasn’t cut-out for the life of a professional actor. I got a job at Ashland University where I worked with students as a mentor and advisor. Through that work I realized that I wanted to teach.
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Cynthia: I have loved being able to take the students to Scotland in ‘05 and ‘13 and now in ‘18... talk about real world learning on a global scale! Closer to home, a current project I am working on with my students includes devised theatre. My Theatre Appreciation kids have interviewed and are working with the Gahanna senior citizens in order to put the Seniors’ stories on stage! This project has us ALL excited! Mary: I have two favorites from my first year teaching. The first show was Almost Maine, it was great to have all grades represented in this show, 9th through 12th. We were judged for State and got to take the full length production to State Conference. For a first year director that is a great honor. We also chose a very difficult musical last year, Beauty and the Beast. My actors, tech crew, and the orchestra did a remarkable job! I have never been so proud and amazed by such talent at this level. December 2017- OTAND Newsletter
Scott: My favorite productions have been Hello, Dolly (starring future Otterbein alum Lilian Matsuda), All Shook Up, and the US premier of the play, For This Moment Alone. Educationally, I am most proud of the work I have done as a member of the team who wrote the National Core Arts Standards for theatre. I have also done a lot of work with the Educational Theatre Association including being former director of the Ohio Chapter. What is most challenging about what you do? Most rewarding? Krista: I sometimes wonder if I’m even qualified to teach :) I often have to completely step back from everything I have learned to be able to understand where the student is coming from. There are so many things they learn in their own school programs, and I want to be sure they realize their own craft, and are not copying someone else’s. High schoolers develop lots of bad habits, and making sure we attack these before they move on is important. It’s hard to see students who are lovers of theatre, but know that an acting career may not be the right path for them. It’s something they have to learn on their own, so I try to ensure that love of theatre stays regardless. Seeing them succeed is definitely the most rewarding. Watching my students have those ‘aha’ moments sends chills up my arms. Cynthia: The time commitment is pretty challenging - spinning all the plates at one time ... I also feel standardized testing gets in
Krista started working with me when I started attaching negative feelings towards theatre which wasn’t healthy for me mentally. She taught me how to eliminate that and just focus on the work. She has the perfect mix of work ethic and artistry. She is a very positive person to be around and she makes everything she works on fun!” - Emma Lou Andrews (‘21)
the way of good teaching... sadly, I don’t think that will ever go away. The most rewarding? Watching students take ownership of their work. Mary: The most challenging thing is that my job is not a full time position. I REALLY wish it was but that is currently not in the cards. Being a single parent, having a full time job and being Theater Director is a daily challenge. The reward is seeing your kids do some amazing work. Seeing the passion being passed on, the love of theater. Scott: The most challenging thing about teaching theatre is working to create a culture in the school that is fully supportive of the arts. Once a building achieves that,
the opportunities are immense. The most rewarding moments are when the students achieve beyond their own expectations. I know a student can handle a role in a production, or else I would not cast them. But seeing the journey each student goes through to prepare and perform is really magical to watch.
A huge thank you once again to all of our contributing alumni. It’s a certainty that with educators like you around, we’re going to be seeing many more Otterbein students inspired to attend because of a truly special teacher. -Bradley Barnes (‘08)
Mr. Wilson was the first person to teach me about the importance of story telling, and I was hooked. He gave me opportunities and confidence in a time when a lot of teenagers feel unsure about themselves. I remember his ease in being a kind, funny, and compassionate leader. He is easily one of the main reasons I pursued performing at Otterbein and continue to love singing and storytelling today. - Lilian Matsuda (‘07)
Westerville South High School production of Damn Yankees, directed by Scott Wilson (‘94), featuring Lilian Matsuda as Lola. Inset: Scott Wilson.
December 2017- OTAND Newsletter
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IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
Mills James, with offices in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland, is a leader in producing live events for a variety of companies and nonprofits locally and around the world. They work with each client to develop and execute events and videos that celebrate and send a custom image. At least seven theatre alumni work or freelance with Mills James currently. Bryan Campbell (‘92), Elliot France (‘05), David Kerr (‘10), Shanique Haskin (‘12), and Kelly Ganley (‘15) all agreed to be interviewed for this article. While all five alumni followed the design and technology track at Otterbein, they each applied their particular talents and interests in a different way upon graduation. Bryan, Elliot, and David are full-time employees who work together to coordinate the scheduling and execution of events. All three alumni split their time between the office and on site with their crews doing event set-up. Bryan has been with Mills James for twenty three years and is currently the Director of Technology where he leads the live event technical staff. Elliot is currently a Production Manager and has been with the company for eleven years, and David has been with them six years and is the Lighting Specialist. They work together on a daily basis to bring each client’s needs and vision to life. Bryan, Elliot, and David all spend their office days looking forward and planning. It takes these three and many others to execute the large scale events Mills James produces. Bryan, as the Director of Technology, spends his time collaborating on proposals and show designs, evaluating technology purchases, and leading his team. Both Elliot and David attend production meetings for individual events, book gear, and schedule crew. Elliot focuses more on the whole client package and creating event documents for each event while David is busy drafting equipment layouts, preparing gear, and loading trucks. Office days lead to days spent on site loading in, running, and then striking events. Event load in is where freelancers Kelly and Shanique come in. Hired by the project, they help with all parts of getting an event up and running. A typical day for them includes unloading equipment, then splitting off to work on specific teams, such as rigging or electics. Once the gear is loaded in and set up, they switch into a stagehand position to help with the running of the event. During all this, Bryan, Elliot, and David can be found directing crews and helping out where needed. Bryan focuses on video and projection while David programs the lighting and runs the console during the show. Once an event is over, the entire crew works together to quickly strike it and load out.
Ottebein alumni on the job at Mills James. Pictured left to right: Matt Christian (‘05), Elliot France (‘05), Frank Cirivello (‘03), and Bryan Campbell (‘92).
It takes careful planning and a practiced crew to enable events like these to happen seamlessly. Thanks to the intense planning done by Bryan, Elliot, and David; event set-up runs smoothly for everyone. Add to that the hussle Shanique and Kelly both display on site setting up, and pride in an Otterbein theatre education is evident. Our alumni are happy to be working together. Aside from working with fellow alumni every day, including his boss Bryan, David says his best crew members happen to have come from Otterbein. And Kelly and Shanique both praised David’s organization and prep work as helping things to run smoothly on site. Kelly sums up her freelancing with Mills James, “Mills James always has a great crew to work with and David, Elliot, Bryan, and the other Otterbein alumni always make me feel like part of the team.” -Sandy Quinn (‘10)
@ottersintheapple
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Want even more quick updates celebrating alumni success? Cameron Hobbs (‘12) runs the Instagram account @ottersintheapple which focuses on New York City based alumni currently working and how you can see them in action. All are welcome to submit their updates directly to Cameron via the Instagram account. Start following @ottersintheapple today for a weekly dose of Otters supporting Otters in your feed.
December 2017- OTAND Newsletter
SHOWING UP THANKS TO SHADOWBOX LIVE
Many alumni have had the opportunity to hone their individual skills right in downtown Columbus at Shadowbox Live, a non-profit performance troupe whose members self-produce and manage company operations. For over twenty years they have focused on producing original rock operas, classical musicals, sketch comedy acts, and art exhibits. Mary Randle (‘92) and Cheryl Blackwelder (‘92) are both former company members. Jade Bartz (‘11) is a former intern, and Carrie Lynn McDonald Cook (‘93), another former company member, still manages the books from out-of-state. These amazing women all credit their experiences at Shadowbox Live to their current can-do mentality and confidence in a variety of situations. When interviewed for this article, all celebrated the diverse array of skills they gained from Shadowbox Live, where company members not only perform in ensemble-focused theatre, but also engage in areas such as marketing, arts administration, and even food preperation and service.
Mary Randle
Cheryl Blackwelder
Jade Bartz
“The most important thing is to be willing to learn new things. I would never have thought about being the tech director, working in the kitchen, box office, marketing, or costumes. Shadow helped me grow as a performer. I’m now the Theater Director for Hilliard Bradley High School and loving every minute of it. I love pushing these kids to think outside the box! I’m asking them to market the shows, design the sets, costumes, and lights. I feel that both Otterbein and Shadowbox helped me with an attitude of you are not “just” a performer or technician. You are a very important part of a remarkable production. Take GREAT PRIDE in that accomplishment.”
“I went on to open two theaters after I left Shadow. It sounds silly, but I learned to run the companies with a sharp focus and refusal to let anything but the best be shown. The bar at Shadow was always incredibly high. No apologies were made if you were told you weren’t doing your best. You sucked it up and worked harder. I incorporated that into my companies. My daughter is in theater now, so I spend a lot of time being a stage mom/chauffeur. I did a lot of work on movie sets before settling into mom-dom. My background at Shadow gave me a lot of confidence that I deserved to be there on set. I was the one looked to for answers a lot of times and Shadow taught me never to say, “I don’t know.””
“I came on as an intern my junior year of high school and stayed with them until I graduated high school. At Shadow everybody participates in the success of the company. You get back what you put in as an employee and as an artist. Do the work, participate, check your ego at the door. So much of my growth stems from my time with Shadowbox. I got to be a fly on the wall as this sketch comedy and rock n’ roll club developed into one of the foremost, innovative regional theatres in America. I learned anything is possible if you create unapologetically, stay true to your voice, and find your tribe.”
December 2017- OTAND Newsletter
Carrie Lynn McDonald Cook “I have been with Shadowbox since the day after I graduated from Otterbein. I started as a volunteer performer and was paid for touring shows initially. After I learned how to use Quickbooks at a day job, I offered my new skill set to the company (it was just when we were starting to hire some full-time people in administration performance positions). I’ve been doing the bookkeeping ever since. The most important thing I learned there is to be flexible - in your craft and in your life. Things change and you need to be prepared to go with it.”
Photo Credit: Shadowbox Live Screamers, 2015, featuring Carrie Lynn McDonald Cook. Photo Couretesy of Andy Baker (‘09).
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Theater
The House the Dodrills Built “My personal hope is Otterbein will build a really good second theatre, a smaller theatre, primarily for Summer Theatre, but also experimental theatre.” - Petie Dodrill
For Petie Dodrill, who designed costumes for over 100 shows and directed 26 Children’s Theatre productions at Otterbein University, it is all about continuing the mission. Petie and her husband Charles Dodrill, who died in 2003, along with technical designer Fred Thayer, who passed in 2013, created one of the most preeminent theatre programs in the nation over a three-decade period spanning from 1958 to 1993.
“It’s amazing and wonderful how far Otterbein Theatre has come from a small liberal-arts program to a department with very high standards of production, teaching, direction and design,” Petie told the Columbus Dispatch in 2007 as the University celebrated 100 years of Otterbein Theatre. Ten years later, Petie continues to build upon her legacy of support for Otterbein Theatre, gifting the University $30,000 to establish a fund to build a mid-size theatre on the Otterbein campus. “My personal hope is Otterbein will build a really good second theatre, a smaller theatre, primarily for Summer Theatre, but also experimental theatre,” Petie said in a recent conversation with Christina Kirk, chair of the Department of Theatre & Dance, Elizabeth Saltzgiver, audience services director, and this writer. Petie introduced Children’s Theatre to the Otterbein community in 1962. “Children’s Theatre is a good way to build an audience,” Petie said. I did The Wizard of Oz three times and it is a gold mine to build an audience because you get 50 to 60 kids trying out to be a Munchkin. You pick 15, 20 or whatever. Their parents, their grandparents,
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December 2017- OTAND Newsletter
Through a generous gift, Petie continues her family’s legacy of innovation, community, and creativity at Otterbein.
their aunts or uncles, and their neighbors come. We got to the point where we were doing five or six performances, mainstage, at Cowan because we would bring in busloads of elementary school children and do daytime matinees. On Saturday, we always did two shows and we would sell out.” Children’s Theatre was the first of many innovations Petie and Chuck brought to Otterbein, among them inviting a major guest star to appear in an Otterbein production, the student internship program, domestic and overseas theatre tours, and, of course, Summer Theatre, introduced in 1967. “That was huge,” Petie recalled. “It was truly a summer stock company, meaning six, seven, eight actors would do all the shows. Five shows. Five weeks. There would be a week or two in the middle of the summer where the kids would rehearse one show in the morning, another in the afternoon, and perform a third at night. There was an intimacy and a warmth between the audience and the actors that I miss, I really do.” Petie could fill a book with her stories and anecdotes from her career in theatre, but none more colorful than the cast parties she and Chuck would host on Friday nights before Saturday’s final show in their beautiful home in the heart of Westerville, a home, by the way, she designed. “They would all come here, cast and crew, at 11 o’clock at night and stay until 1 a.m.,” Petie said. “A group of them would run upstairs, shut one of the bedroom doors, and 10 or 15 minutes later would come down with a skit spoofing the play that they just performed. It was hilarious.
“The more serious and tragic the play, of course, the funnier the skits were.“ I have a great room with a balcony. They would go up there and redo scenes from Romeo and Juliet. Today, Petie keeps busy with theatre boards, Otterbein’s Thrift Shop, performing on radio, reading to first graders, enjoying two book clubs and auditing classes, 14 so far, at Otterbein. While plans have not yet been made for a replacement for the Campus Center Theatre, which will no longer be available once renovations begin, Petie sees her gift as just the beginning of an exciting future for Otterbein Theatre & Dance. In the meantime, Petie hopes that Otterbein Theatre & Dance alumni and friends will, “Come and see the shows, talk about how professional they are, and how talented our Otterbein Theatre alums are. Keep spreading the good news.” - Ed Syguda, Otterbein University
Cinderella, 1972 Featuring (L-R): Christine Chatlain Miller (‘72), Julie Sickles (‘75), Elizabeth Machlan Sharp (‘73), and Shelley Bamberger (‘75). The Wizard of Oz, 1974 Featuring (L-R): Cal Skaates, David Robinson (‘78), Barbara Kosciuk (‘75), Jim West (‘76), and John Cain (‘76). At top: Petie at home with her sketches. Pictured here are designs from the 1972 production of Cinderella. Photo by Ed Syguda.
December 2017- OTAND Newsletter
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Meet Thom Warren,
Assoc. Professor of Musical Theatre
Faculty Spotlight
Thom Warren
Thom comes to Otterbein directly from the Broadway company of Disney’s The Lion King where he served as standby for Scar, Zazu, Pumbaa, and Timon and as resident director of the show’s second national tour. Other Broadway and national touring credits include: Once Upon a Mattress starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat where he played opposite Otterbein’s own Lori Kay Harvey, Godspell, Into the Woods, and the pre-Broadway and world premiere of Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman’s Harmony. Thom has had the pleasure of working onstage at La Jolla Playhouse, The Guthrie Theatre, Hartford Stage Company, Paper Mill Playhouse, George Street Playhouse, and the Fulton Theatre. He has guest directed and/or led master classes at universities across the country including Yale, Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, Anderson University, and Kean University. Concert work includes: Wall-to-Wall Sondheim at Symphony Space, Stephen Sondheim’s Birthday Celebration at Avery Fisher Hall (Filmed for PBS), and touring with Mr. Manilow at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas and Madison Square Garden, among other venues.
What classes are you teaching this semester? Do you have a favorite? “I’m team-teaching History of Musical Theatre for the Sophomores with Dr. Davenport, Junior Musical Theatre Studio with Stella Kane and Lori Kay Harvey, Internship Prep with Mark Mineart, Showcase for the seniors with Lori Kay and Stella, and I’ll be directing Thoroughly Modern Millie on the mainstage this spring. I truly love each of the classes I’m teaching and gain new and different insight into the class content, based not only on each group of students but also from the various other professors with whom I collaborate. Difficult to pick a favorite, but I will say that Stella, Lori Kay, and I are laughing an awful lot with the Juniors, with whom we are mounting a classroom production of the ridiculous cult musical The Toxic Avenger. If those kids are having half as much fun as we are, we’ll be just fine!” What are you most excited to bring to Otterbein and it’s students? “I’m always thrilled when I have an opportunity to help a student find their truth within the work. Each director/professor has his or her own way of accessing the truth of a particular moment, whether it be in a song, scene, monologue or even a design or piece of writing - and there’s nothing better than when a student has that ‘Aha!’ moment and discovers that moment of clarity and specificity and truth. I’m also thrilled and honored to bring a sense of the current NYC theatrical climate to campus and our students.” What do you think are the most important skills graduates need to be prepared for a life in the arts? “Any student showing up for a life in the arts needs to be armed with a thick skin and a passion for their particular craft that is unrivaled by any other interests. It’s a tricky, sometimes ruthless industry - often having
nothing to do with art itself - and I often tell students that if there is anything they love as much as theatre, they should absolutely pursue it. But, for those who head into the industry with their eyes and hearts open it’s an extraordinary journey! In terms of skills needed, along with the obvious skills related to the craft itself (acting, voice, dance, music theory, etc.), the successful student will arrive in their new home with the ability to budget their money, their hearts, and their energy and emotional health, all absolutely vital to longterm success in the arts.” Is there a singular event in your career that has left the greatest impression? “I suppose the obvious choice would be The Lion King, in that it brought me back to Broadway after a seven year hiatus, along with affording me enough money to put a down payment on a house (sometimes a luxury for stage actors), and live a lovely life in New Jersey with my husband and our dogs. But, artistically, I was lucky enough to be cast in a new musical many years ago, written by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, called Harmony, the true story of The Comedian Harmonists. The experience was euphoric; working on something new, having a delicious role, working with the likes of extraordinary actors, writers, designers, and creatives, and telling a true story of such emotional depth. One of the most extraordinary experiences of my life. Also (aside from the loss of my mother when I was 22), the most heartbreaking. Having done the production in La Jolla, several readings and workshops, touring with Barry across the country and finally a pre-Broadway production set to open in Philadelphia, the show was VERY abruptly shut down (the day before moving the show into the tech process in Philly) due to lack of funding. It was pretty devastating, and certainly helped me understand a greater context of this industry outside of the fun of getting to mount a show.”
In addition to Directing and Music Directing, Thom Warren & Lori Kay Harvey co-hosted The Launch: A Senior Cabaret this fall. The event, which also featured choreography by Stella Hiatt Kane, raised almost $11,000 for the NY Showcase.
(L-R): Morgan Wood (‘18), Lottie Prenevost (‘18), Chris Marth (‘18), J.T. Wood (‘18), Lori Kay Harvey (Faculty), Lauren DiMario (‘18), Kaylee Barrett (“18), and Thom Warren (Faculty). Photos by Kyle Brace (‘20).
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December 2017- OTAND Newsletter
DEPARTMENT NEWS
FROM STUDENT TO TEACHER:
Julianne D’Errico Returns with New Perspective (L-R) Chris Smith (‘19), Grace Hoover (‘18), Tristan Gillia (‘19), and Daria Redus (‘18) in the Fall 2017 production of Rumors.
The Department of Theatre and Dance welcomed Julianne D’Errico (‘13) back to campus as Costume Designer for the fall production of Rumors and Guest Lecturer for the makeup and costume history classes while Resident Designer, Rebecca White, was on sabbatical. Since leaving Otterbein, Julianne earned her MFA in Costume Design from the esteemed Carnegie Mellon University and added some impressive credits to her resume, including a partnership with the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh where she created two dresses inspired by the work of Iris Van Herpen for a fashion show celebrating the designer. Rumors, set in the late 1980’s, when shoulder pads and big hair were all the rage allowed Julianne to draw inspiration from a lot of pop culture including, “high-fashion ‘80s magazines, celebrities on the red carpet, and, of course, Dynasty,” she explained. The ‘80s high fashion was most apparent in Rumor’s glamourous female characters. “I’ve enjoyed getting inside each character’s head to figure out what motivates them to appear the way they do. It’s been a blast to come up with some super glam looks for the women of this play.” While a student, Julianne designed costumes for Spring Awakening, directed by Melissa Lusher, and for Stella Kane’s Fosse inspired piece for the 2012 Dance Concert, Spotlight. At the end of the term, Julianne will return to Pittsburgh, but plans to continue working with young artists and designers. “I’ve found that their eagerness to learn and natural curiosity refuels my own creative practices.”
Costume Design by Julianne D’Errico for Claire in Rumors.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Stay in touch with OTAND! We would love to know what you’re up to these days. Complete your OTAND Update here:
www.otterbein.edu/TheatreAlumniUpdate December 2017- OTAND Newsletter
BRING IT HOME 2020
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Please join us in the planning and coordination of the 2020 Alumni Celebration. Committees are forming now for: • Logistics • Social Events • Communications • Legacy Presentations • Workshops & Panels If interested, please email Christina Kirk: ckirk@otterbein.edu
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
Double-Take: 2007 & 2017
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Fall 2007. Featuring (L-R) Caitlin Morris (‘09), Cory Michael Smith (‘09), Clare Lourdes (‘08), and Lucas Zangardi-Dixon (‘08).
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Fall 2017 Classroom Project. Featuring (L-R) Daniel Kunkel (‘20), Melissa Lusher (Otterbein Faculty), Kaylee Barrett (‘18), and Mark Mineart (Otterbein Faculty).
The 2017 Classroom Project: Who’s Afraid of Virgina Woolf?
“Martha has been my dream role for eons. I’ve somehow always understood this woman on a deeply intuitive, personal level and I wanted the chance to fully explore the vulnerable, insecure, desperately loving core behind the powerful mask. “ - Melissa Lusher For her most recent sabbatical, Melissa Lusher took the stage as Martha in the Clasroom Project production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? November 30-December 2. She was joined by one of the department’s newest faculty members, Mark Mineart, Assoc. Professor of Acting, in the role of George and two current students, BFA Acting majors Daniel Kunkel (‘20) and Kaylee Barrett (‘18).
Christina Kirk directed with an all-student artistic team including Scenic Designer Mikayla Burr (‘19), Costume Designer Elise Wesley (‘21), Lighting Designer Emily Maddox (‘21), Sound Designer Ethan Brown (‘18) and Stage Manager Emily Bubeck (‘18). Melissa expects to use this experience in her classroom teaching when she returns next semester.
OTAND
Otterbein Theatre & Dance Alumni Network The Otterbein Theatre & Dance Alumni Network will bring together graduates of the Department of Theatre and Dance, as well as alumni who participated in theatre and dance activities before we became an official department, to provide networking support for each other, mentoring of current students, assistance with recruiting, and fundraising for the department.
STAY INFORMED
Otterbein Theatre & Dance Alumni Network
“Having the opportunity to attempt this personal ‘Mt. Everest’ of a role, and to work with Chris, Mark, and our brilliant students was the honor of a lifetime. It also taught me so much about script analysis, combining Michael Chekhov techniques with Stanislavsky, charting the arc of a character, the need for absolute fearlessness onstage, and the critical importance of partner. I’m so excited to return to the classroom and share all these lessons with my students!”
OTAND Executive Board CHAIR/AT LARGE REPRESENTATIVE James C. Minter (‘93) ACTING REPRESENTATIVE
Caitlin Morris (‘09)
AT LARGE REPRESENTATIVE
Trenton I. Weaver (‘11)
BA REPRESENTATIVE
Randy Adams (‘76)
DANCE MINOR REPRESENTATIVE DESIGN/TECHNOLOGY REPRESENTATIVE MUSICAL THEATRE REPRESENTATIVE
Kelsey Gorman (‘13) Sandy Quinn (‘10) David Caldwell (‘86)
DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Christina Kirk
DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE Elizabeth Saltzgiver (‘99) Contact Sandy Quinn, Editor: OTAND@otterbein.edu
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Contact the Executive Board: OTAND@otterbein.edu
December 2017- OTAND Newsletter