Theatre Dept Snapshot 2018-19

With finals week fast approaching, many students are busy preparing themselves for all the exams, projects, presentations and papers that are soon to be headed their way. While it is good to look to the future, it is also good to look back and reminisce about all the memories made during the St. Ambrose Theatre Department's productions this year.

In a season filled with dramas, farces and a musical, the department has so much to be thankful for. Now, it's time to stroll back and relive some of its best moments.

Keeping with the tradition of previous years, this year's theatre season had two Studio Theatre productions. The first production in the fall was Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire. The emotional, tear-jerking play about a couple dealing with the loss of their son was directed by junior Jessica Karolczak. It was an excellent way to kick off the season.

In the winter, junior T.J. Green directed Speech and Debate by Stephen Karam. The play – which focused on taboo topics such as homosexuality, sexual assault, and abortion – still incorporated fun song and dance numbers. Overall, the play provided a truly enjoyable night in the theater.

For main stage productions, the season started with Rumors by Neil Simon, which was an exciting last-minute change to the season line-up. While the show's read-through unfortunately fell on the day Neil Simon passed away, everyone involved in the production rose to the challenge and pulled off the incredibly hilarious farce.

Following Rumors, the department began work on the annual children's show. This year, the production was none other than the musical Honk! Jr. Overall, children and adults alike loved the musical retelling of the classic Ugly Duckling story and started their holiday season on a high note.

The department recently concluded its theatre season by performing Tartuffe by classic French playwright Moliere. Students tried their hand at wearing elaborate period costumes, complete with corsets and wigs, for the play. Ultimately, costume designer Dianne Dye's hard work paid off, as her costumes will be represented at the Outstanding Costume Design Expo at KCACTF Region 5 Festival next year. There was also one dress that was created by professional costume designer and SAU alum Brian Hemesath. Additionally, sophomores Ellie Larson and Tyler Hughes were nominated for the KCACTF Irene Ryan Acting Competition for their roles as Marianne and Tartuffe.

Outside the spotlight, SAU theatre students participated in a variety of other events. These included student-directed one acts, the Musical Theatre Cabaret, the Miscast Cabaret, the Senior Showcase, the Fresh Face Revue, a 24-hour playwriting festival, and KCACTF. All these events were successful and even attracted some non-major performances.

At KCACTF, the Tech Team (senior Kendall McKasson, junior Melissa Maylum, sophomore Anthony Duckett and first-year Sam Lange with substitute sophomore Morgan Reilly) made it to finals, senior Rebecca Moews was accepted into the Musical Theatre Dance Intensive, first-year Joe Lasher made it into the MTI Cabaret; and two pairs of actors (sophomore Ellie Larson with partner Lasher and sophomore Tyler Hughes with junior partner Abbie Carpenter) went to semi-finals for the Irene Ryan Acting Competition.

All in all, the department is blessed to have had an excellent theatre season this year and would like to thank everyone for their support. While it's nice to look back on accomplishments, SAU theatre doesn't plan to slow down any time soon. There will be more memories and productions to look forward to next year!