Local Student Working With CWU Touring Company On Re-enactment Of Story Of Sacagawea

April 13, 2004

Contact: Leslee Caul (509-963-1760/fax: 509-963-1767/e-mail: caull@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash.-- The story of Sacagawea and the Corps of Discovery will come to life in Ellensburg, April 23-25, when Central Washington University's Central Theatre Ensemble (CTE) Youth Theatre Tour presents "Bird Woman: The Story of Sacagawea," by Ric Averill.

Though many aspects of Sacagawea's life, even the dates of her birth and death, are still a mystery, Averill's version pieces together the history of the adventure with characters based on real individuals. Central's production weaves together song, dance, sign language and puppetry to bring the play to life.

Under the direction of Trish Bellah, the eight-member cast will portray 18 characters, some of who will be presented through the use of full-body puppets. Touring company members serve as both cast and crew and will travel to schools and theatres throughout Washington after the limited engagement in Ellensburg.

The cast includes (in alphabetical order):

Will Alvin, a senior theatre arts/design major, is "Cameahwait," "Broken Tooth," the puppet "Droulliard" and "Bright Salmon." After much success as a designer, including work on "West Side Story" and "Bus Stop," Alvin is moving in front of the curtain, though he also serves as costume designer for the production. He is the son of Ken and Karen Alvin of Lake Stevens.

Kim Berstler, senior theatre arts/performance major, is "Otter Woman," "Cloud Woman" and the puppets "Fast Arrow," "Old Badger" and "Grandfather." Berstler serves double duty on the tour both as a member of the cast and the puppet designer. She recently completed a residency at the University of Hawaii, where she starred in "The Paper Bag Princess." This is her second Central Theatre Ensemble Youth Theatre Tour. In 2002, Berstler appeared as "Bagheera" in the CWU production of "Jungalbook." She is the daughter of Jan and Greg Schweizer of Battle Ground.

Alex Garnett, junior theatre arts/performance major, is "Lewis." This is his second year on tour, appearing as "Red Fox" in last year's production of "Pinocchio." Garnett was seen most recently in this season's CTE productions of "West Side Story" and "Bus Stop." He is also a playwright and has had several of his works produced at Central. He is the son of Dick and Sandra Garnett of Soap Lake.

Jeremy Goeks, a freshman theatre arts/performance major, is "Clark." Goeks appeared in "TENS: Original 10-Minute Plays," but "Bird Woman" marks his first main stage production at Central. He appeared in several productions at Camas High School, including "My Fair Lady" and "Guys and Dolls." He is the son of Jim and Jean Goeks.

Phil Hamlin, junior theatre arts/performance major, is Sacagawea's husband "Charbonneau." Hamlin has appeared in a number of student productions, however this is also his first main stage production. He is the son of Harry Hamlin and Terrie Smith of Burien.

Andrew Kunellis, sophomore theatre arts/performance major, is "Red Horse" and the puppet "York." Kunellis has appeared in many Central productions including "West Side Story" and "The Laramie Project." He is the son of Patricia and Bruce Dierking of Whidbey Island.

Tina Perna, sophomore theatre arts/performance major, is Sacagawea's friend "Moongirl," as well as puppets "White Hair" and "Bird." In addition to having success in several on-stage roles, she is also an accomplished hair and make-up designer, having designed for "West Side Story." Perna serves as the hair/makeup/wig designer for "Bird Woman." She is the daughter of Vince and Edie Perna of Enumclaw.

Christina Simmons, junior theatre arts/performance major, plays the title role of "Sacagawea." She has appeared in numerous student productions at CWU. One of them earned her a nomination for the prestigious Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. Simmons has also been a member of the International Thespian Society since 1990. She is the daughter of Scott and Adie Simmons of Shoreline.

Stephanie King will serve as stage manager and Albie Clementi as assistant stage manager for the production and tour.

King, a junior secondary theatre education major, is back at Central after a year as an exchange student in Scotland. She has significant technical experience, including work on "Macbeth," "Cloud Tectonics" and the touring production of "Jungalbook." She is the daughter of William and Susan King of Richland.

Clementi is a theatre arts major with a double emphasis in both performance and design. He has 23 years of various acting and technical experience and is a contact juggler. Also known as dynamic balancing, it's a relatively new form of juggling where balls are rolled over the hands and body instead of tossed into the air. He is the son of Don Joseph and Diane Haugen of Seattle and Clover and Richard Mars of Vashon.

The CTE troupe is currently in rehearsals daily, working eight hours a day to bring the historic journey to life and preparing for all of the aspects of taking the show on the road.

Tickets are currently on sale for "Bird Woman: The Story of Sacagawea." The Tower Theatre box office is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 5 p.m.

Tickets may also be purchased by phone with a VISA or MasterCard at (509) 963-1774. All seats are $5 and all performances will be staged in McConnell Auditorium. The box office is also open one hour prior to each performance.

For more information, or for persons of disability to arrange for reasonable accommodation, call (509) 963-1774, or (for the hearing impaired) TDD (509) 963-2143.