Theatre Alums Present Comedy
Christian Krauspe's, (BA 2007), play "Inside Out" has recently been produced by My Verona Productions in Davenport, IA. Tristan Tapscott, WIU Musical Theatre 4 year student, produced the show which featured Adam Lewis, MFA 1998. READ MORE
Western at American College Theatre Festival
Christian Krauspe's, (BA 07), play "Dearborn Americana" won the award for best original full-length play in Region III, Kennedy Center American College theatre Festival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has been submitted for national award consideration. Jonathan Self, grad, Greenbriar, AR, won the Classical Acting award for the region. In connection with this, Bill Kincaid was given an award as his mentor. Kincaid also received the region's Faculty Directing Fellowship.
Seven current WIU theatre students competed for the Irene Ryan acting award at the Region III Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Milwaukee this January. The Region III top award has been won by WIU students the past two years.
The seven students are: Colleen Johnson, sophomore, Effingham, IL; Jonathan Self, grad, Greenbriar, AR; Colin Wasmund, grad, Morris, MN,; Melody Betts, grad, Chicago, IL; Glen Wall, grad, Umpqua, OR; Holly Weikal, senior, Woodstock, IL; Zack Meyer, junior, Aurora, IL.
Other nominees for the Irene Ryan award who will be unable to travel to Milwaukee to compete are: Jennifer Drew (MFA 07), Ben Gougeon (MFA 07), Nicholas Schell (grad, Jerseyville, IL) and Erin Roe, (grad, Martinsville, IL).
Kelly Breheny, (BA 2001), performed in Henry Miller’s "A View from the Bridge" with the Grey Zelda Group, at the Stage Left Theatre in Chicago.
Theatre & Dance has entered into a new partnership with Eureka College to provide stage combat workshops.
Marcus Olson was a guest artist at the Shanghai Theatre Academy during the semester break.
Bill Kincaid (Head of Acting) and his research partner Margie Pignataro (Texas Tech) were part of a research group exploring Shakespeare in Performance at the annual American Society for Theatre Research conference.
Denise Brakefield created the original choreography "The Angel Ballet" for University Dance Theater Winter Solstice Concert. The ballet will be performed later this spring in "Hansel & Gretel" presented by the School of Music Opera Theatre. Brakefield also held auditions for "Oklahoma!" at Macomb High School which she choreographrd this spring. She also worked with the Macomb Junior High Swing Choir on two concerts last fall.
Justin McCombs (BA 04) has been cast in a lead role in the New Stage Collective's production of "Take Me Out" in Cincinnati. The production will open in March. Darline Hun (BA 08) has been hired for the summer by the Cortland Repertory Theatre. Melody Betts (MFA 08) will be appearing as Sister Hubert in the Mariott Lincolnshire's production of NUNSENSE. She will receive her union card for this contract. Peter Johnson (MFA 07) is touring with the Utah Shakespearean Festival's Romeo and Juliet, and has been hired back for the summer by the Texas Shakespeare Festival. Joshua Murphy (MFA 09) will spend this summer acting with the Riverside Theatre Shakespeare Festival in Iowa. Glen Wall (MFA 09) has been hired as a company member by the Oxford Shakespeare Festival in Mississippi. Colin Wasmund (MFA 09) will play a major role in "Tecumseh" in Ohio. Drew Hampton (MFA 09) and undergrads Kyle Cassady and CJ Langdon will be company members with Virginia City Players in Montana. Alums Colby Sellers (BA 01), Anne Sheridan Smith (BA 1994), Anthony Ingram (BA 02) appeared with Signal Ensemble in 1776 at the Chopin Theatre in Chicago from January 26 to March 1.