| UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS |
| Name: | Thomas Ohrstrom | | |
| News: | Thomas Ohrstrom, a sophomore theatre arts performance major, was one of 16 students to advance to the final round of the Irene Ryan competition at the 2006 Northwest Drama Conference/American College Theatre Festival, Region VII, which was held in Pasco, WA Feb. 21-25. More than 180 students from the seven states that comprise Region VII (Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado) competed in the initial round. Irene Ryan was most widely known as Granny on “The Beverly Hillbillies,” but was also an accomplished vaudeville, radio and movie actress who was starring on Broadway when she died. Ryan left the bulk of her estate to the Irene Ryan Foundation in order to provide opportunities for advanced study to young actors. The Irene Ryan Scholarship is managed by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Ohrstrom was nominated to vie for the Irene Ryan Scholarship based on his outstanding performance as The Creature in the Central Theatre Ensemble production of “Frankenstein,” by guest respondents who attended a local performance of the production last spring. |
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| Name: | Joe Wilbur | | |
| News: | Joe Wilbur, junior theatre arts design/technology major, placed second in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival sound design competition for his sound design for the Central Theatre Ensemble production of “Working.” Wilbur is first alternate and would be invited to the national festival in Washington D.C. in the event that the winner, Sarah Peterson, would be unable to attend. The 2006 Northwest Drama Conference/American College Theatre Festival, Region VII, was held in Pasco, WA Feb. 21-25. |
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| Name: | Albie Clementi | | |
| News: | Albie Clementi, senior theatre arts design/technology major, placed second and received a Meritorious Achievement certificate in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival set design competition for his set design for the Central Theatre Ensemble production of “Frankenstein.” Clementi is first alternate and would be invited to the national festival in Washington D.C. in the event that the winner would be unable to attend. The 2006 Northwest Drama Conference/American College Theatre Festival, Region VII, was held in Pasco, WA Feb. 21-25. |
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| Name: | Andrew Kunellis | | |
| News: | Andrew Kunellis, senior theatre arts performance major, advanced to the semi-final round of the Irene Ryan competition at the 2006 American College Theatre Festival, Region VII held in Pasco, WA Feb. 21-25. More than 180 students from the seven-states that comprise Region VII (Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado) competed in the initial round. Kunellis was one of 32 students who advanced to the semi-final round. Irene Ryan was most widely known as Granny on “The Beverly Hillbillies,” but was also an accomplished vaudeville, radio and movie actress who was starring on Broadway when she died. Ryan left the bulk of her estate to the Irene Ryan Foundation in order to provide opportunities for advanced study to young actors. The Irene Ryan Scholarship is managed by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Kunellis was nominated to vie for the Irene Ryan Scholarship based on his outstanding performance in the Central Theatre Ensemble production of “Frankenstein,” by guest respondents who attended a local performance of the production last spring. |
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| Name: | Holly O'Hara | | |
| News: | Holly O’Hara, junior theatre design/technology major, received a Meritorious Achievement certificate from the Northwest Drama Conference for her set design for “Macbeth.” O’Hara was entered in a competition for “unrealized projects,” those that have not been produced, but were designed as a classroom project. The 2006 Northwest Drama Conference/American College Theatre Festival, Region VII, was held in Pasco, WA Feb. 21-25 |
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| Name: | David Mackie | | |
| News: | David Mackie, sophomore theatre design/technology major, received a Meritorious Achievement certificate from the Northwest Drama Conference for his light design for “Macbeth.” Mackie was entered in a competition for “unrealized projects,” those that have not been produced, but were designed as a classroom project. The 2006 Northwest Drama Conference/American College Theatre Festival, Region VII, was held in Pasco, WA Feb. 21-25 |
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| Name: | Will Alvin | | |
| News: | Will continues his internship with Shakespeare Theatre Company, Washington, DC after a very succesful fall quarter with the company. He was one of eight college costume designers invited to the Kennedy Center for the American College Theatre National Festival (February 2005) for his work on the department's fall production of "Lloyd's Prayer." His experience at ACTF Nationals was instumental in securing the year-long internship. He has recently been assigned the costume design for the Shakespeare Theatre Company's upcoming production of "The Tempest" |
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| GRADUATE STUDENTS |
| Name: | David Gay | | |
| News: | David Gay, a third-year Master of Arts in Theatre Production candidate, reports that his recent production of "Guys and Dolls" at Alpharetta High School in Alpharetta, GA garnered group and individual awards. "We entered an affiliate of the Jimmy awards - Shuler Hensley Awards," says Gay. "'Guys and Dolls' was nominated for
eight awards. We won for Orchestra and our Miss Aidelaide moves to the Jimmy awards this spring. Keep your fingers crossed - the winner gets $100,000 to attend the New York school of her choice."
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| Name: | Ellicia Mertens | | |
| News: | Ellicia Mertens, MA third year candidate and director at Richland High, received five nominations for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, including Outstanding Set Design, Outstanding Hair and Make-up Design, Outstanding Costume Design (honorable mention,) Outstanding Program Design, and Outstanding Performance for an Actress in a Lead Role (Lauren Smith as the Narrator).
Eighty productions entered this year, making this is a huge honor for all those nominated. More info can be found at the 5th Avenue web page, http://www.5thavenue.org/education/highschoolawards-2007.aspx
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| Name: | Greg Pschirrer | | |
| News: | Greg Pschirrer, third year MA candidate and instructor at Lewis and Clark HS, Spokane, WA received five nominations in his first year entering the 5th Avenue awards for Grease, including acting nominations, a nomination for lighting design, orchestra, and an honorable mention for Outstanding Overall Production.
Eighty productions entered this year, making this is a huge honor for all those nominated. More info can be found at the 5th Avenue web page, http://www.5thavenue.org/education/highschoolawards-2007.aspx
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| Name: | Amber Peoples | | |
| News: | Amber Peoples, Theatre Production masters candidate and graduate teaching assistant, earned Central Washington University’s $700 Master’s Research Grant for her proposal entitled “Mexico Immersion to Produce and Direct ˇBocón!.” Earning one of four grants given each year, Peoples will travel to Mexico during August to research Mexican culture and communication as well as acquire authentic costumes and props. This experience will increase her ability to connect with middle school Bridges Project students, who are integral to the production of ˇBocón!, and more accurately infuse Latino life and themes into her direction of the play which constitutes the Theatre Arts Department’s inaugural studio project. |
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| FACULTY MEMBERS |
| Name: | Scott Robinon | | |
| News: | Scott Robinson, chair, is the 2009 recipient of the Selfless Service Above and Beyond Award by the Washington State Thespian Society. |
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| Name: | Nadine Pederson | | |
| News: | Dr. Nadine Pederson spent the past summer in Paris pursuing her groundbreaking study on French theatre history. Through the examination of primary documents, specifically French law books and financial records, Dr. Pederson has unearthed evidence of a previously undiscovered Master of the Revels system in Renaissance France paralleling the English system. The continued support of her study is not merely impressive for CWU, but imperative for the discipline and our expanding knowledge of world theatre history. |
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| Name: | George Bellah and Elise Forier | | |
| News: | George Bellah and Elise Forier completed an international workshop and culminating performance in Noh Theatre at the Noh Theatre Project in Bloomsburg, PA. Bellah and Forier will be collaborating over the next 18 months on mounting a classic Greek work in the traditional Noh Theatre style. This project will serve to further not only their own scholarship and research interests, but also support the CWU Asia/Pacific Studies program. |
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| Name: | Terri Brown | | |
| News: | Dr, Terri Brown, director of the musical theatre BFA, and David Brown, musical theatre director for the Department of Theatre Arts, have been invited to return to Edgewater Records in Atlanta, GA, for three recording projects in summer 2010. Dr. Brown will be singing on the projects and Mr. Brown will be arranging the material. |
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| Name: | Elise Forier | | |
| News: | Elise Forier will be honored at Homecoming 2009 as the CAH teacher of the year. |
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| Name: | Elise Forier | | |
| News: | Elise Forier has been chosen by the Teacher Professional Education Advisory Board (Teacher PEAB ) to receive the Crystal Apple Award for a faculty member in the College of Arts and Humanities who has a positive impact on the field of teacher preparation and CWU pre-service candidates. The award will be presented at the Teacher PEAB-sponsored Top Ten Student Teacher reception at 4:00 pm on Friday, June 12th, 2009 in Sue Lombard. |
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| Name: | Christina Barrigan | | |
| News: | Christina Barrigan, CTE resident lighting designer, will offer her considerable talent to three Idaho Repertory productions in summer 2009: "Unnecessary Farce," "Some Enchanted Evening" and "Chaps!" |
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| Name: | Scott Robinson | | |
| News: | Robinson has teamed up with 2007 alum Debra Susi as costume designer for the US premiere of FAME FOREVER: Reunion and Rebirth. Robinson will join creator David De Silva September 21, 2007 at the U.S. premiere with the New York based creative team Ben Winter, who wrote the books and lyrics, and Steve Margoshes, who wrote the music for "Fame Forever." Susi's musical director will be Michael Peterson of Oakland. |
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| Name: | Elise Forier | | |
| News: | Forier has been named as one of 50 dramatists to watch in Amcerican theatre by the Dramatist Guild's July 2007 publication The Dramatist |
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| Name: | Michael J. Smith | | |
| News: | Smith will star in the world premiere of "Kosher Lutherans" written and directed by William Missouri Downs, at the University of Wyoming Summer Theatre. The play is about an infertile Jewish couple who find a young pregnant girl from Iowa who is willing to let them adopt her out-of-wedlock baby. The only problem is the girl doesn't know that they're Jewish. All she knows about Jews is what her farmer father told her, "They control Hollywood and killed Jesus." In an attempt not to blow the deal, the couple pretends that they're Lutherans and discovers how far they are willing to go to have a family. The production runs July 10-14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Studio Theatre. For tickets and information visit: www.uwyo.edu/finearts
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| Name: | Wesley Van Tassel | | |
| News: | Artists Repertory Theatre in Portland will host a reading of the new play "Hot Dish" by Wesley Van Tassel on June 24 at 6 p.m. |
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| Name: | Brenda Hubard | | |
| News: | Hubbard will be starring as Lucille Cadeau in the Artists Repertory Theatre production of "House and Garden" by Alan Ayckbourn, Spet. 4 through Oct. 14 in Portland. In it, two interlocking plays are performed simultaneously on two separate stages with a single cast that dashes madly back and forth (and up and down stairs) to make their entrances and exits. In House, a luncheon is being prepared. In Garden a midsummer maypole fete is in the works. Shuttling between the two are a highly comic series of catastrophes and intertwined relationships that will leave you literally gasping to know what might be happening just out of sight in the other theater. For tickets and information visit: www.artistsrep.org
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| Name: | Christina Barrigan | | |
| News: | Christina Barrigan has been awarded one of the three College of Arts and Humanities Summer Scholarship/Creativity Grants and will be travleing to Cota Rica to participate in "Flauta Revisada," a three-nation digital re-imagining of Mozart's "The Magic Flute." Under the direction of the Institute for Digital-Performing Arts (IDPA) the production team will use new technology and developing new visual language for the performing arts by using new media servers called Axon and new video visual elements found in digital lighting (DL2). This new technology will allow all scenery and many of the characters to be video projected. The production will premiere in San Jose, Costa Rica in mid-July 2007 and travel in early August to Mazatlan, Mexico for additional performances. After performances in Mazatlan, it will travel to Austin, Texas in September for the United States premiere. |
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| Name: | Scott Robinson | | |
| News: | Scott Robinson was the recipient of the College of Arts and Humanities 2007 Distinguished Chair Award at the CAH Banquet held on May 15, 2007. |
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| Name: | Scott Robinson | | |
| News: | Scott Robinson was awarded the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion of Excellence, at the American College Theatre Festival, held on the CWU campus Feb. 20-25, 2007. Robinson has served as the Region VII Chief Financial Officer for the past five years. According to the Kennedy Center, "The medallion is presented to outstanding teachers and artists who have made significant contributions to the life of the Region. Most importantly, recipients have demonstrated a strong commitment to the values and goals of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival and to excellence in educational theatre."
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| Name: | Elise Forier | | |
| News: | Elise Forier has been chosen to as one of eight people to participate in the national Playwrights in our Schools 2007 Mentorship Program. As a mentor, Forier will be assigned a high school student playwright and, over the course of a year, will work with that student on their original play. The committee that chose Forier said “We were most impressed by your experience with young writers, the quality of your writing samples, and the endorsement of your peers.” Her colleagues on this project are among the most esteemed and influential authors of plays for young people in America today.
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| Name: | Christina Barrigan | | |
| News: | Christina Barrigan recently donated her time and expertise to Masquers Theatre in Soap Lake, conducting a training session on the operation of a new light board in that facility. Randy Johnstad, facilties director and CWU theatre arts alumni, says, "Christina Barrigan came to our theater for a light board training session that was wonderful. Her calm and expertise made all in attendance able to shed their fear and apprehension of just touching it. Her training has greatly expanded our use of the board and will add greatly to the enjoyment of our audience. |
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| Name: | George Bellah | | |
| News: | George Bellah recently traveled with a contingency of 30 American professors to Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The trip, coordinated by the United Institute for Theatre Technology, focused on the theatre, dance, costumes, and puppetry of those regions. “What was most striking to me was the vast cultural difference between those nations and the U.S.,” says Bellah. “The juxtaposition of abject poverty and lavish wealth was staggering. But in all three nations we witnessed an incredible level of discipline and commitment that all of the artists bring to their art.” Bellah will be giving several presentations on his travels both on campus and at local grade schools. He will also incorporate his experiences into a new Asian Drama course, and has begun writing an extensive account of his experiences.
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| Name: | Elise Forier | | |
| News: | Forier was recently selected for the Playwright's Development Workshop at the Orcas Theatre and Community Center, on Orcas Island, January 23-29, 2006. This invitation will allow Forier the opportunity to workshop one of her many new plays in progress, while spending a week of serenity and splendor on the Island while enjoying an environment of mentoring and growth with playwrights from throughout the region. She is one of four Washington playwrights selected for the honor, and as she puts it "it looks like a pretty dang cool opportunity."
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| Name: | Michael J. Smith | | |
| News: | Michael J. Smith has recently been appointed to the regional selection committee for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. As a selection team member, Smith will travel to colleges throughout a seven-state region reviewing some of the best theatrical productions in the Northwest and then will participate in the annual process of choosing which plays will be invited to perform at the regional conference held each February. These regional participants are then considered for advancement to the national conference in Washington, D.C, held each year in April. |
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| STAFF MEMBERS |
| Name: | Laura Reinstatler | | |
| News: | Has been hired to work as the Costume Shop Manager for Idaho Repertory Theatre's summer season. |
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| Name: | Dave Barnett | | |
| News: | David Barnett recently attended two sound conferences in Dallas, Texas. The first was called "Sound Reinforcement for Operators," where Barnett learned to operate, adjust and troubleshoot sound systems in order to achieve the best sound quality possible. The second conference, "Sound Reinforcement for Technicians," focused on the assembly and installation of sound systems based on venue space and production requirements.
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| Name: | Leslee Caul | | |
| News: | This year’s recipient of the CAH Staff Recognition Award, Leslee Caul, has established a thriving marketing department to support the Theatre Arts' degree programs and the productions of Central Theatre Ensemble, and launched a national ad campaign and marketing plan in 2005 that is causing quite a buzz both regionally and nationally. Caul was presented the award at a gathering of the college faculty and staff, hosted by CAH Dean Dr. Marji Morgan. Caul is a 1994 graduate of CWU's Department of English and has worked in the Department of Theatre Arts for 11 years. |
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| ALUMNI |
| Name: | Alex Garnett, James and EmilyRose Frasca | | |
| News: | James Frasca '06 and EmilyRose Shotwell-Frasca '06 join Alex Garnett '06 in ArtsWest Playhouse's Seattle premiere of "Measure for Pleasure" Directed by Christopher Zinovitch
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| Name: | Justin Carroll | | |
| News: | As of September 19, 2008 Justin is working at Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, RI as Stage Carpenter. |
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| Name: | Ry Sherrell | | |
| News: | Ry will present his newest play "TRIGGER HAPPY." Seattle Playwright's Collective: First Look Reading Series
"Staged Reading for Two New Stage Plays." This event is planned to start at 17:00 on 03 May 2009 at Do North Theatre: 17517-C 15th Ave NE, in Shoreline WA. |
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| Name: | Amanda Rubeck | | |
| News: | Has recently completed a successful costume/makeup internship with Seattle Rep and has now been hired at the Seattle Opera as a makeup artist for the upcoming production of "Aida." |
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| Name: | Emily Rollie | | |
| News: | Emily Rollie will be attending the University of Missouri in Columbia to begin work
on her PhD in theatre studies. |
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| Name: | Emily Rollie | | |
| News: | Former graduate teaching assistant and MA alum, Emily Rollie has been accepted to University of Missouri - Columbia's PhD program in theatre studies, beginning in August 2008. |
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| Name: | Holly O'Hara | | |
| News: | has been offered and accepted a graduate assistantship at the University of Florida in scenic design. Her offer includes a full tuition waiver. At CWU her scenic work was seen most recently in the 2007 Youth Theatre Tour production of "Pecos Bill and the Ghost Stampede." |
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| Name: | Autumn Browne | | |
| News: | is appearing in "Steel Magnolias," as M'Lynn Eatenton (the role played by Sally Field in the motion picture) at the Huntington Beach Playhouse, April 4-20. Browne received her MA in Theatre Production at CWU. |
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| Name: | Christopher Comte | | |
| News: | Christopher was recently appointed to the position of Facilities Manager for Annex Theatre, Seattle's longest-operating "fringe theatre" company, now completing its 21st season of production. In addition, Mr. Comte has recently completed his fifth season as Site Coordinator for the Kevin Hadley Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program for Performing Artists, and later this summer will celebrate his third anniversary as Membership Director for the Seattle Local of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), the national union for professional broadcasters, recording artists, and television, radio, and new media performers. |
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| Name: | Jillian Vashro | | |
| News: | has accepted an education internship with Seattle Children's Theatre, which she will begin in June 2008. Jillian says, "I wanted to thank you all again for all the support, encouragement and experience you've given me over the past few years. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" |
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| OTHER |
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| News: | O'Neill Center's NATIONAL THEATRE INSTITUTE at CWU October 26 with workshops for students 2:30 and 4:00 pm |
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| Name: | New play project | | |
| News: | Central Theatre Ensemble’s New Plays for Youth Playwriting Project has found great success. The first commissioned play, “Mama Tomcat’s Flying School,” by Spring Hermann, was the Youth Theatre Tour production in 2009, with a sold-out schedule. Seattle-based teacher and nationally renowned playwright Ramon Esquivel, will be in residence this winter to begin the development process for his new play, “Luna.” Staged readings will be presented for the public and for invited elementary school audiences winter 2010, with the play slated for the 2012 Youth Theatre Tour. “Luna” is the story of a young girl who has trouble making friends because her family is always moving on to the next seasonal job. In an effort to find a lasting bond she befriends the moon in this stirring story of the isolation that often plagues the children of migrant workers. |
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| Name: | MA Theatre Studies | | |
| News: | CWU is now proud to offer the only academic-focused Master of Arts degree in the State. This first-year program is off to a vibrant start with enrollment at full capacity with a growing interest and enthusiasm from prospective new students. The cohort includes students from Washington, Florida, Texas and Colorado, as well as an international student from Lebanon who is also a Fulbright Scholar. |
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