Theatre newsletter October
Jim Seward graduated from St. Ambrose University with a degree in theatre in 1982. He makes his return to the Galvin stage this weekend, playing Gaston, a wisecracking barfly, in Steve Martin's Picasso at the Lapin Agile. This is Seward's second time being involved in a production of Picasso at the Lapin Agile, the first being when he played the eccentric and opportunistic Sagot in 1999.
Director Dr. Cory Johnson asked him to be in the show and he happily agreed. He has been in many plays, stating around 100, ranging broadly from musicals to Shakespeare. He attended Assumption High School in Davenport, Iowa, where he was cast as Conrad Birdy in Bye Bye Birdy. Seward, who considered himself very shy in high school, says it was the perfect role to bring him out of his shell.
He previously was in a production of Lady Windermere's Fan here at SAU, where he played his real-life daughter's (Stephanie Seward, SAU theatre alumna) brother. He has performed around the Quad Cities in many different theatres such as Playcrafter's, Quad City Music Guild, Ghost Light, and many more. His wife Becky also is very involved in theatre and has been an accompanist for many St. Ambrose musicals.
Seward also is involved in an It's A Mystery theatre troupe (owned and artistically directed by SAU Alum Scott Naumann) where Seward and other actors perform mysteries that consist of written dialogue, but also a lot of improv. Seward said his favorite part about playing Gaston is the character's broad personality and how he has no inhibitions. Gaston tells it like it is.
We are incredibly lucky to have Seward on our stage. It is always a wonderful and highly educational opportunity for students to act alongside more experienced actors. We've been blessed to work with incredible talent here at SAU, and Jim Seward is no exception.
Come see his fantastic performance in Picasso at the Lapin Agile, presented at the Galvin Fine Arts Center on October 6-8.
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Contact
Daniel Rairdin-Hale, Chair
Theatre
Galvin Fine Arts Center 43
518 W. Locust St.
Davenport, IA 52803
563-333-6390
RairdinHaleDanielK@sau.edu