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TRANSCRIPT
Fall 2012
Newsletter
The
Stage
Door
FROM THE DESK OF THE DIRECTOR OF BLUE WINDOW Craig Lucas wrote Blue Window in 1984 while living in New York
City and struggling with his own sense of loneliness and isolation.
Born in 1951, and found in an abandoned car in Atlanta, Lucas was
adopted when he was eight months old. This disconnect from his
birth parents has played a major role in his writing. In 1984 Blue
Window was a meditation on the yuppie angst played out in three
scenes before, after, and during a dinner party. The play’s action and
theme explored how we are all alike but so disconnected. We now fast forward to 2012, where Blue Window appears to be
even more relevant today. As I began to work on the play, the idea of
“social media” continued to raise its consciousness. I realized that
while we believe email, texting, tweeting, Facebook, and other social
media allow us to be “connected” and “social”, it is really just the
opposite. How can one be “social” without “face-to-face” communi-
cation? What is social about looking at a laptop and chatting on-line?
Where have we lost the ability to gather together in the same space
and make “connections”? With these thoughts in mind, I decided to move the action of the play
to Fall 2012. Because of the universality of the characters and
themes, this was an easy change. We have however introduced the
use of i-pads, i-phones, i-pods, and laptops to comment on the way
we “try” to stay connected today and yet these very devices lead to
isolation. While the action of the play still contains three scenes
(before, during, and after the dinner party), the action of the dinner
party amplifies how in 2012 we are even more disconnected than we
were twenty-eight years ago. So, be social! Come to the Highlander
Theatre and visit and laugh with your friends and colleagues. Share
in the live interaction of the actors on stage. And most importantly—
connect. The box office will be open for season ticket holders beginning
Monday, November 5 and for the general public, Wednesday,
November 7 from 9am-3pm weekdays. Tickets are $7 for students,
$10 for UCM faculty, staff and senior citizens and $12 for the gen-
eral public. All seats are reserved and children under the age of 5
years will not be admitted. This show is recommended for mature
audiences.
“Show Off” from The Drowsy Chaperone
October 3-7, 2012
“A comic moment
between Feldzieg
& Kitty”
from
The Drowsy
Chaperone
October
3-7, 2012
INTRODUCING OUR NEW
COSTUME SHOP MANANGER
CHRISTINA RAMOS. The Department
of Theatre and Dance would like to
welcome Christina Ramos to our staff as
Costume Shop Manager. She is a Texas
native with a BA in Theatre and Dance
from The University of Texas at Austin,
where she focused on Costume Design and
Technology. Christina joins us from New
York City were she was sewing for the
fashion label Celestino Couture. Ms. Ra-
mos recently served as the First Hand for
Ohio Light Opera in Wooster, OH this past
summer. She enjoys country dancing, Texas football and baking
cookies. She is delighted to be joining the UCM community.
Department of Theatre & Dance
MOURNING OUR LOSSES, CELEBRATING LEGACIES
Two Saturdays in August delivered the sad news that two stalwart
supporters of the UCM Department of Theatre and Dance, and legacy
builders within the university and Warrensburg communities had
passed away. Dr. Robert Ulrich and Dr. Charles Kuhn, Jr. both died
within a week of each other, August 19th and August 25th respectively. Robert Ulrich served part of his
UCM career as a professor and
Chair in the Criminal Justice De-
partment. He and his wife, Marion
were genuine lovers of the arts.
Having their daughter, Janet Ulrich
as a BFA Performance major in the
department only increased their
activity and support of UCM thea-
tre. Robert and Marion were con-
stantly hosting parties for the department and were instrumental in
their support of Central Missouri Repertory from its inception, often
making their home the official celebratory stop for CMR’s big fourth
of July party. Robert and Marion had a strong relationship with pro-
fessor emeritus David Peerbolte, and not long after Janet’s graduation,
they established the Janet Ulrich Technical Theatre Scholarship, a
gesture to not only honor their daughter, but Peerbolte’s work with
design technology students as well. Robert and Marion Ulrich re-
mained a part of the UCM theatre family long after Janet was estab-
lished in Chicago. They attended our end of the year banquet for dec-
ades, giving updates on Janet and presenting their scholarship to the
latest recipient. We offer our many thanks to Robert Ulrich, and his
wonderful wife, Marion for the generations they have impacted with
their love and support of our students and our program. In speaking with Chair emeritus Dr. Ed See, a
number of wonderful facts were unearthed
about Charles Kuhn. Charles received his B.S.
from UCM in 1951 and had an illustrious 30-
year teaching career from 1958 to 1988 in the
Harmon College of Business and Professional
Studies. When Ed See was an undergrad at
Central, Dr. Kuhn was the fraternity advisor for
TKE. From 1960-1962 the fraternity would put
on a talent show called “Tekes Night Out”. Ed
remembers writing the scripts in long hand
while Charles typed them. In 1976, the theatre department put on a
production of Hail to the Chief as a Reader’s Theatre production,
which Charles’ parents attended and reportedly had a wonderful time.
This Hail to the Chief anecdote would be one told by Charles at the
UCM Department of Theatre and Dance banquet for years to come,
and was one of the reasons he wanted to establish a scholarship in his
parents’ name. Charles was a true philanthropic pioneer at Central.
Before the establishment of three different scholarships in his parents’
name in business, theatre and music, there was no history or tradition
of endowed scholarships at the university. Originally from Carroll-
ton, MO, Charles Kuhn was instrumental in bringing CMR’s traveling
children’s show to his community. He hosted a pizza party in his
home after each Carrollton performance. Charles had been coming to
our banquets since the late 70’s and had not missed a banquet since
establishing his parents’ scholarship in the 80’s. There will be 2 nota-
bly empty chairs at our banquet this April. We offer our deepest
thanksgiving to both Robert Ulrich and Charles Kuhn, patrons of the
arts, friends to our faculty and students, family to us all.
The Stage Door
MERIDITH HARMON SAUER GUEST ARTIST SERIES 2012-
2013 SEASON. Again this year, the “Guest Artist Series” will
bring in nationally and regionally recognized theatre artists and
educators to work hand-in-hand with our students and faculty.
Margaret Spare, was lighting designer
for The Drowsy Chaperone, October 3-7. Margaret holds a MFA in Theatrical Light-
ing Design from the University of Missouri
-Kansas City and a BFA in Design and
Technology from the University of Central
Missouri. She has served as lighting design-
er for Ballet North and Wylliams/Henry
Contemporary Dance Company, assistant
lighting designer for Lyric Opera of Kansas
City and light board operator for Kansas
City Repertory Theatre.
Broadway star Tituss Burgess
originated the role of “Sebastian
the Crab” in the musical “The Lit-
tle Mermaid” in 2007 and went on
to play Nicely-Nicely Johnson in
the revival of Guys and Dolls in
2009. His Broadway and Regional
Theatre credits include The Jersey
Boys, Good Vibrations, The Wiz
and Abelard and Heloise. Tituss
will present a Musical Theatre Workshop in February 2013.
Melissa Larsen, Choreographer for
Louder Than Words, March 8-9, 2013 A
member of Actor’s Equity Association,
Melissa has performed in the National
Tours of Grease and Hairspray. Her Re-
gional credits include Cinderella, Beauty
and the Beast, 42nd Street, Sweeny Todd,
The Music Man, and Nunsense. Melissa
has had extensive training in ballet, tap
and jazz and will choreograph one of the pieces for the spring concert.
Jason Bohon, Acting Coach Street Scene,
April 24-28, 2013. Jason received his MFA
in Physical Theatre from the London Interna-
tional School of Performing Arts-Naropa
University. As an actor, Jason specializes in
classical material and has performed many
roles in the works of Shakespeare, Moliere,
Sophocles and Feydeau. Jason created his
own company 3 Sticks Theatre in Minneap-
olis, MN and currently tours as a performer
with Split Knuckle Theatre Company
throughout Brussels, the Netherlands,
England, France, Greece and Germany.
FROM THE GREENROOM: Angie Benson is playing piano in
the band for The Unicorn’s production of Bloody, Bloody, Andrew
Jackson . . . her husband, Assistant Professor Michael Benson
will be the Scenic Designer for The Hound of the Baskervilles at
The American Heartland Theatre, going into production mid-
December and starring Professor John Wilson as Sherlock Holmes
and many other roles . . . Tyler Mullen is a stage management in-
tern at The Julliard School in New York . . . Jacob Randall just got
a job as an emcee with Radio Disney. He will be traveling around
the Denver area hosting promotional events—promoting Disney
(and other companies) working with children . . . Chuck Ad-
amson accepted an Assistant Professor of Theatre position at Mon-
mouth College in Monmouth IL . . . Kristen Wiles was chosen to
join the New York City Teaching Fellows Program. She started
attending Long Island University this past summer pursuing a Mas-
ters Degree in Special Education and began teaching in NYC in
September 2012 . . . Deanna Mazdra is playing the role of Natalie
in Next to Normal at Just Off Broadway Theatre in Kansas City. It
opens November 2nd and runs for three weekends! . . . Jeff Hylton
Simmons is the new Lead Sound Engineer at Bunk Bar in the Port-
land, Oregon area . . . Trevor Belt is producing Art, beginning No-
vember 10 at State Fair Community College in Sedalia. Our stu-
dents were working this summer! Angie Benson worked with Cen-
tral Missouri Repertory in Hula Heart and was a conductor for Mu-
sic Man with Musical Theater Heritage in Kansas City . . . Trent
Reese had a directing assistantship with Berkshire Theatre in Pitts-
ville, MA . . . Bob Wearing was an Administration Intern with
Heart of America Shakespeare Festival in Kansas City and worked
at Starlight Theatre in the Box Office . . . Kayla Lopez was a
Wardrobe Manager with Theatre by the Sea in Warwick, RI . . .
Alex McCale was an actress with Crane River Theatre in Kearney,
NE . . . Alisha Morris was a Teaching Artist with the Lexington
Children’s Theatre in Lexington, KY . . . Chris Lohkamp was the
TD/ATD with Emporia State Summer Theatre, Emporia, KS . . .
Taylan Wilcoxson was a ATD/Shop hire with Emporia State Sum-
mer Theatre in Emporia, KS . . . Joe Reece was a Summer Shake-
speare Participant at the Stella Adler Studio in New York, NY . . .
Joe Burkard was the ATD with Shenandoah Musical Theatre Co.,
Winchester, W. Virginia . . . Betsy Ripp was the Prop Master/
Assistant Stage Manager/Scenic Painter/Carpenter with Weath-
ervane Playhouse in Newark, OH . . . Courtney Robinson was the
Assist. Costume Designer/Wardrobe Manager and Stitcher with
Wagon Wheel Theatre in Warsaw, IN . . . Mark Jacobsen was the
Master Electrician for Theatre in the Park in Kansas City . . . Let us
know what you’ve been up to! Submit your information on our
website at www.ucmo.edu/theatre/alumni.
CONGRATULATIONS GO OUT TO:
Greg and Amanda Owen on the birth of Maxwell
Carter . . . Chris and Heather Taylor on the birth of
Leila . . . Dustin and Carolyn Blakeman on the birth
of Melody . . . Chase and Amy Ashurst on the birth
of Laiken . . . Julie-Rose and Will Tedrick are expect-
ing twins in February, a boy and a girl to be exact! If
you have a new bundle of joy in your life congratula-
tions to you too!
SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS ATTEND NEW THEATRE
GUILD MEET AND GREET FOR MARION ROSS.
The New Theatre Guild has been a long-standing scholarship provid-
er for the University of Central Missouri Department of Theatre and
Dance. They support 4 separate scholarships for the department and
on Monday, October 22, 2012 the current recipients were invited to
the Guild’s meet and greet honoring Marion Ross, soon to be appear-
ing in the New Dinner Theatre production of The Game’s Afoot, the
newest farce to come from the acclaimed pen of Ken Ludwig.
Chair Emeritus and Immediate Past President of the Guild, Dr. Ed
See, Professor John Wilson and scholarship students Justin Barron
(BFA Performance), Matt Elliott (BFA Design Technology), Mark
Jacobsen (BFA Design Technology) and Miranda Powers (BFA Per-
formance) were all in attendance for the event. Scholarship Chair-
woman, Judy Horn introduced Professor Wilson who said a few
words of thanksgiving to the Guild before introducing each UCM
student and allowing them to speak their own words of appreciation
as well as update the Guild on their current artistic projects.
A number of fun anecdotes can be recalled from the evening, not
least of which Professor Wilson shared with the close to 50 guild
members and guests in attendance. Said Wilson before introducing
the scholarship recipients, “I have to admit being a little star-struck
right now. I nervously introduced myself just moments ago to Ms.
Ross and told her, ‘I know you must hear this all the time, but I liter-
ally grew up watching you’, to which she replied while placing her
hand warmly against my cheek, ‘oh honey, I remember you. I came
into your room many a-nights.’”
After a wonderful introduction from Ed See, (which served as its
own mini-stand up routine) Marion Ross then spoke for nearly 15
minutes to a captivated audience about her rise to stardom. Especial-
ly affected by her years of wisdom were our four students who lis-
tened with rapt attention and enjoyed one-on-one conversations with
her afterwards. Marion Ross, 84 years of age, is performing 8 shows
a week in The Game’s Afoot from November 8 to January 20, 2013.
L-R: Justin Barron, Matt Elliott, Mark Jacobsen,
Marion Ross, Miranda Powers, John Wilson
The Stage
Door