Keeping Up with Kris Eitrheim

The fall semester has been quite offbeat due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, many SAU students and professors had to make a few changes to their typical regime. This includes the always-jolly SAU design and technical professor, Kris Eitrheim.

One of the most obvious changes occurred with his class offerings. While all courses were forced to go online prematurely in November due to the rising number of COVID cases on campus, Eitrheim was fortunate to be able to conduct the majority of his classes in-person this semester. His classes included Survey of Theatre, Stagecraft, Introduction to Design in Theatre, and Senior Seminar. Nevertheless, he still ran into problems when it came to group or hands-on projects.

"Since we have been locked out of the shop because of COVID concerns, it's been really difficult," said Eitrheim in regards to his class, Stagecraft. "I can talk about concepts and ideas in class, like using a saw, but I don't know that it necessarily has the same impact as using an actual saw."

Furthermore, at this time of year Eitrheim would usually be looking forward to attending the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) held every January. At KCACTF he enjoys attending workshops, conversing with his colleagues, and watching St. Ambrose students compete in their events, especially the Stage Crew Showdown (his favorite). Sadly though, the festival has moved to a virtual format his year which has caused some drastic changes.

Although most events are able to be pre-recorded and then sent in, not all of the events have this luxury.

"I'm sad that the Stage Crew Showdown has unfortunately been postponed this year," Eitrheim said. "It makes my heart cry a little."

Lastly, students and alumni alike should be aware that Eitrheim has switched offices this year. He can now be heard saying, "You know.... like you do," from his office in the Communication Department hallway, which is in the basement of Galvin, as opposed to his previous office in the Scene Shop below the Allaert stage. With Eitrheim spending less time in the shop, he saw that it was fitting for him to find an office space that was more accommodating to students.

"When I was in charge of the Scene Shop it was always difficult to meet with students because we would be in the middle of building and there would be people all over the place," Eitrheim admitted. "It was hard to have a conversation about classroom activities when everybody's running in and out of the shop."

Despite all the changes, Eitrheim is continuing to make the best of his situation. The COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of an in-person KCACTF have certainly dampened his 2020. But at least he got a snazzy new office to enjoy this year!