Training for Collaboration: B.F.A in Musical Theatre
Auburn University Theatre poses a strong foundation in values of family and dedication. My time in the program educated me to not think of myself as one specific part of a machine, but instead to be adaptable to fill any missing section. The professors embraced my dual study, and encouraged me to use every bit of what I acquired as a scholar in all fields in my work.
The focus of the training there is to become a well-rounded, well-informed scholar. I spent time working behind the scenes in set construction, lighting, sound, and costume, often at the same time I was performing in the shows. The result was a firm background in keeping an open and reflective mind to all pursuits, as well as understanding the communication and collaboration that all team projects require.
The focus of the training there is to become a well-rounded, well-informed scholar. I spent time working behind the scenes in set construction, lighting, sound, and costume, often at the same time I was performing in the shows. The result was a firm background in keeping an open and reflective mind to all pursuits, as well as understanding the communication and collaboration that all team projects require.
Lighting Design
All the Dead Biddles, by Shelli Pentimall Bookler
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"Director Carly L. Bodnar keeps a brisk pace in this 90-minute show. Thanks to set designer Jason Kramer, we see Karl’s study, Wendy’s kitchen, Dr. Francis’ office. When two characters are in the spotlight, the other two are often silently present in dim light, cocooned in private worlds.
Then, in a gathering of disjointed mania, they invade one another’s domain. Wendy sits in Karl’s office, drinks his whiskey “medicine,” and uses his computer monitor to spy on Karl as he cozies up to Inez in the kitchen. Dr. Francis dons a “Freud was a Mama’s Boy” T-shirt and chants Indian mantras on a living room mat." -Hugh Hunter, The Philadelphia Inquirer |
"Jason Kramer’s smart set design, featuring several rooms separated by a suspended window frame, a perpendicularly placed door frame bisecting the stage, and intermingled floor coverings in conjunction with lighting designed by Richard Davis, invokes a sense of Erebus – a feeling of grave unreality.
All the Dead Biddles, in its World Premiere, is a well woven story, composed with compassion for it’s characters, veiled in wit, and threaded with inquiry into complexity customs and of grief and mourning." -Lisa Panzer, phindie.com |
Acting
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Little Shop of Horrors by Howard Ashman
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Brighton Beach Memoirs by Neil Simon
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Lady Windemere's Fan by Oscar Wilde
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Instruction
Summer SceneWorks 2014
In the Summer of 2014, Auburn Area Community Theatre hosted the Summer SceneWorks 2014 workshop series. This series gives those new to theatre a chance to try out the art and learn a few new techniques, and gives those who are familiar with the theatre two new opportunities: 1) a chance to direct scenes, and 2) a chance to play characters they would not usually have an opportunity to during the regular season. I was asked to serve as the coordinator for this event, and I was excited for the opportunity to practice my class coordination and instruction skills. Each Monday, I or one of a group of guest instructors gave a lesson on the various aspects of theatre: acting technique, breath, musical theatre, partnering, goals, obstacles, etc. Summer SceneWorks also consisted of directing scenes which were directed by one of several volunteer directors. The final performance was given on August 7th, 2014 and included 7 volunteer-directed scenes. For more information on this program, please visit the website at www.summersceneworks.weebly.com.