This Year`s Gala Another Grand Success Story!

Spring/Summer 2009 • Issue #10
A newsletter for alumni and friends of the department of theater and fine arts
This Year’s Gala Another
Grand Success Story!
By Ann Heuer, ’78
This year’s Friends of Niagara
University Theatre Gala held on
April 25 was another grand success.
Nearly 150 gala guests attended and
enjoyed a matinee of Kurt Weill’s
and Bertolt Brecht’s musical, “The
Threepenny Opera,” directed by
associate director of Niagara
University Theatre, Doug
Zschiegner. The production was
followed by a cocktail hour, silent
auction, dinner, live auction and a
visit from the cast and crew of “The
Threepenny Opera.”
Christopher Blake, a professional
auctioneer from Niagara-on-theLake, and his wife, Colleen, executive
director of the Shaw Festival, were
among the many guests at the gala.
For the third year in a row, Blake
volunteered his services as the event’s
auctioneer,
adding excitement and
humor to the
fast-paced live
auction which
followed the
gala dinner.
Seniors Nicholas Cocchetto (Mack the Knife) and Adrienne Lewis (Jenny Diver)
Board member
share the spotlight in this scene from “The Threepenny Opera,” directed by
Ryan Erwin
associate director of NU Theatre, Doug Zschiegner. This musical was showcased
assisted Blake
at the Friends of Niagara University Theatre’s 24th Annual Gala. Also in the
with the live
photo portraying prostitutes are, from left: Sara Ball, ’10 (Molly); Andrea
Gollhardt, ’12 (Vixen); Kayla Kreis, ’11 (Betty); Cait Holland, ’10 (Dolly);
auction event.
Hannah Sharp, ’10 (Nelly); and Chelsey Zimmerman, ’12 (Holly).
This year’s
gala co-chairs
were Patricia Orzetti and Arthur and
helping set up for the event at the
Barbara Traver, while auction coCastellani Art Museum.
chairs included Pamela LeCuyer, Lori
Next spring, the 25th Annual
Presti and Adair M. Saviola. All the
Friends of Niagara University Theatre
co-chairs were intricately involved in
Gala will be held on May 1, 2010.
the gala’s success, helping with
Please save the date and join us for a
everything from
very special celebration.
mailing invitaThe Friends of NU Theatre Gala
tions to gift
annually provides thousands of dollars
basket creation,
of support for the theater program
contacting area
and its students, from theater equipbusinesses for
ment and supplies to workshops
donations to
provided by guest artists.
Set in London, in 2020, NU Theatre’s production of Kurt Weill’s and Bertolt Brecht’s
musical, “The Threepenny Opera,” offered NU’s theater studies majors the opportunity
to act, dance and sing — plus, a few cast members played musical instruments in the
show’s orchestra while others assisted with the creation of the musical’s multimedia
newscasts. The characters in the foreground are played by seniors Trevor Hibbard
(Police Chief Tiger Brown/Messenger), left, and Nicholas Cocchetto (Mack the Knife).
New at NU
By Gregory Fletcher, editor-in-chief
Those of you who missed our final
production in the old Leary Theatre
might be surprised to hear that the
proscenium arch was torn down and
the wear ’n’ tear of the theater was
embraced, if not exaggerated, even in the lobby where the
production photos and wallpaper used to hang. All
perfect touches for “The Threepenny Opera” but, at the
same time, perfect to celebrate the beauty of age and how
much the Leary Theatre has responded to our countless
expectations over the years.
Originally a gymnasium for the seminary at the
university, the space was given over for theater production
in 1972 and turned into a long thrust stage with the
audience sitting on three sides. It remained this way until
1998 when it was officially named the Leary Theatre and
renovated into the wide proscenium space (with a touch
of thrust) as we have known it for the past 11 years.
On May 20, the third renovation began and the
interior has since been gutted. The new Leary Theatre will
reopen for our final production of next season — aptly
enough — “Anything Goes!” The title alone describes our
anticipation and enthusiasm for what is to come at NU
Theatre, not to mention a welcomed break from dark
adult-oriented musicals. (No offense to Kander and Ebb
and Weill and Brecht whom we all greatly adore). Therefore, what better way to celebrate the opening of the new
Leary Theatre than with the classic Cole Porter musical
and its lively tap-dancin’, feel-good Atlantic cruise? After
all, we could have produced “Titanic — the Musical” but
this renovation leaves us optimistic, giddy and full of
hope. So “Anything Goes” it is — a new era we are happy
to embrace.
Above: A troupe of nearly 50 talented theater students, student aides and faculty
members assisted Friends of NU Theatre board members and gala coordinators
Peg Lacki, front row, right, and Ann Heuer, front row, left, with the set up, the
live and silent auction, and clean up at the 24th Annual Friends of NU Theatre
Gala at the Castellani Art Museum on April 25. Front row from left: Heuer;
graduate student Stephanie Smith; Greta Bowers, ’09; Kelly Konecko, ’09; and
Lacki. Middle row from left: Dino Petrera, ’12; Alicia Burning, ’12; Emily
Aguilar, ’12; Marilyn Deighton, assistant professor of costume technology; Meagan
Kurilovitch, ’12; and Erin Marie Anderson, ’12. Back row from left, student
aide Peter Heuer and theater studies students Maria Nicole Held, ’11; Emily
Clare Boudreau, ’09; Jessica O’Ney, ’10; Ralph Donatelli III, ’09; and Mary
Boatman, ’12.
Below: Gala co-chairs Arthur and Barbara Traver (right) and Patricia Orzetti
(left) with NU student Geoff Redick, ’11, center,
who portrayed a British Beefeater for the event.
Brother Augustine Towey, C.M., director emeritus, back row, right, recently had
his seventh book of poetry published, “The Poem You Asked For and Other
Poems” by Arthur McAllister Publishers of Harpswell, Maine. The book contains
almost the entire body of his previous work plus several new poems. On Feb. 23,
a special reading of poems from the book was held at the Leary Theatre. The event
was well attended and the readings were recorded as a CD to benefit the theater
renovation fund. These 24 talented Western New York actors and alumni brought
the poems to life at the reading: Maryalice Demler, John Fredo, Josephine Hogan,
Darleen Pickering Hummert, Richard Hummert, Lona LaChiusa, Lisa Ludwig,
David Lundy, Gerry Maher, Sarielys Matos, Andrew Kenneth Moss, Brian Mysliwy,
Mary Kate O’Connell, Vincent O’Neil, Maureen Ann Porter, Richard Satterwhite,
Norm Sham, Christopher Standart, Paul Todaro, Brother Augustine, Dr. Sharon
Watkinson, Maggie Zindle, Tom Zindle and Doug Zschiegner. Beautiful music
composed by the late Douglas Towey, Brother Augustine’s brother, is also showcased
on the CD which is now available for purchase for $13 (which includes shipping
and handling). To order, contact Peg Lacki, NU Theatre office coordinator, at
[email protected] or 716-286-8483.
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Niagara University Theatre Newsletter
Carmen Ruby Floyd, ’00, Quadruple Threat
By Gregory Fletcher
If you’re lucky enough to be able
to sing, act and dance, you’re considered a triple threat. But in today’s
economic times, with fewer and
fewer casting opportunities, being a
triple threat isn’t always enough. You
also have to be funny because in
comedies, you either have it or you
don’t. And Carmen Ruby Floyd has
it — she’s a quadruple threat currently working in one of the funniest
musicals on Broadway, “Avenue Q.”
For Floyd, life in New York City
seems a bit more joyful and optimistic
than for most. For five years, Floyd
has been understudying the role of
Gary Coleman and, in a time when
Broadway productions have been
closing at a record number, “Avenue
Q” is still running strong.
Joey Bucheker, a former classmate
of Floyd’s, remembers: “in my
freshman year, I first saw Carmen
performing the leading player in
‘Pippin,’ and from the moment she
NU alumna Carmen Ruby Floyd, ’00, with her
husband, actor J. Bernard Calloway.
appeared through the smoke and
shafts of light and started singing
‘Magic To Do,’ it was clear she was
destined for greatness. She had an
enormous stage presence and voice
and a great look, and despite that the
role was originally created by Ben
Vereen, Carmen completely made it
her own.” Floyd also made an
Niagara University Theatre Newsletter
impression in NU productions of “A
Chorus Line,” “Once On This
Island,” “The Women,” “Come Back
to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean,
Jimmy Dean” and others.
Her “destiny for greatness” began
early. During her years at NU, she
auditioned for the Broadway musical
“Rent” and was a finalist for the role
of Joanne on several occasions. At the
end of her time at NU, Floyd was
invited into the original Toronto
cast of “The Lion King,” playing the
role of Shenzi, the Hyena. In
preparation, she was put into the
chorus of the Broadway production
for a month’s time.
Besides the two Broadway productions, Floyd has also performed
in “HAIR” at Bay Street Theatre and
the off-Broadway productions of
“Crowns” and “Little Ham,” both of
which merited her an Audelco
nomination and an award from the
Audience Development Committee.
She has also recorded several voiceovers and commercials for Sprint,
McDonalds, and Citibank, just to
name a few.
A lot of people might have the
misconception that being an understudy is a lonely, frustrating job of
waiting, waiting and waiting. But
over the five years, Floyd has gone on
over one hundred times. Plus, without
the constant demanding schedule of
the usual eight performances a week,
Floyd has had the energy to do other
things that make her very, very happy.
Besides writing music (rock blues),
cooking vegetarian and doing
photography, Floyd also loves singing
at benefit performances. Unlike NU’s
annual gala benefit, which is scheduled
on a Saturday evening, most benefits
in New York City are scheduled on
either Sunday or Monday evening
(Broadway’s usual off-night), the
only time a Broadway talent pool can
be gathered. Performing at benefits
has its perks: getting to showcase
Since graduating from NU in 2000, Carmen
Ruby Floyd has played numerous roles in
productions on and off Broadway. Here are views
of Floyd in off-Broadway productions of “Crowns”
(left) and “Little Ham.”
your talent, to perform at exciting
venues (Floyd’s favorites so far are
Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music
Hall), and to perform for notable
celebrities (Floyd’s list includes
Diana Ross, Ruby Dee and Ossie
Davis, August Wilson, Patti LaBelle,
James Earl Jones, Phylisha Rashad,
Leslie Uggams, Tyra Banks, Burt
Reynolds, Lauren Bacall, Doris
Roberts, Judge Judy, Sarah Jessica
Parker, Billy Crystal, Jennifer Holiday,
and Julie Andrews). Floyd is astonished that she “grew up admiring
these icons and now I am singing for
them; it’s a constant reminder how
blessed and fortunate I am.”
Despite all of Floyd’s good
fortune, she feels her true blessing is
her family. In October of 2007,
Floyd married J. Bernard Calloway, a
Floridian and also an actor, and they
currently live in Hamilton Heights
in Manhattan. (Most recently, J.
Bernard performed in the off-Broadway
hit play “The Good Negro” and will
be seen in the upcoming Broadway
musical “Memphis” and the upcoming
film “The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3”
starring Denzel Washington and
John Travolta.) The rest of Floyd’s
family lives in the Buffalo area —
extending well past 17 aunts and
uncles and 62 first cousins. And let’s
not forget Floyd’s extended family
here at Niagara University —
extending well past thousands of
brothers and sisters. We are all so
proud of her accomplishments and in
awe of her quadruple threat.
3
Celebrating the Lady in Red
Tributes to Miss Bev from Family, Alumni and Friends
Edited by Ann Heuer, ’78
Editor’s Note: Nationally recognized
dance teacher and choreographer
Beverly Fletcher Bellegia, a longtime
professor in Niagara’s department of
theater and fine arts, died on Jan. 10
at the age of 81. Brother Augustine
Towey, C.M., director emeritus, noted
that “Miss Bev” assisted him, Dr.
Sharon Watkinson, chair of the
department of theater and fine arts,
and the late Timothy Ward, associate
director, in establishing Niagara
University Theatre in the late 1960s.
The following tributes were sent in by
alumni and friends.
“I started my freshman year at
Niagara with very little musical theater
experience. I had never danced before
and was diagnosed with a hand-eye
coordination disability that makes
following and retaining choreography
extremely difficult.
“I remember my first class with
Miss Bev. She graciously let me
stumble and fumble through class
without a word and afterward pulled
me aside privately. I was shaking like
a leaf, embarrassed, frightened and
flushed like Scarlet O’Hara on a hot
day. Miss Bev put her arm around
my shoulders and told me she could
tell that this was not going to be easy
for me in that wonderful sensitive
way that she had. Then she told me
not to focus on what other people
could do, and to take things at
whatever pace
I could take
them at. She
said not
everyone can
be a natural
dancer, but
everyone can
find their
own way of
learning and
that’s what
Miss Bev posed for this
photo in 1999.
she’d be
4
grading me on. I’m not sure I ever
had a bigger sense of relief in my life.
She assured me that I would be able
to learn and then gave me a big hug.
“Unfortunately that was Miss Bev’s
last year of teaching at NU and the
years to follow proved to be pretty
difficult for me in the dance department. Yet now, being older and wiser, I
always remember her kindness, her
words and that smile on her face.
Her support and understanding will
always be remembered and has made
a true impact on my life.”
Keith Berg, ’97
“I think Bambi and Robin (Miss
Bev’s daughters) may enjoy this small
but fond memory. When I was a very
young child growing up on Memorial
Parkway, I had the opportunity to
meet Mrs. Bellegia (Miss Bev) at her
home in between her busy schedule.
My vivid memory of going into Robin’s
home for the first time was of a very
tall, unique red-headed woman
running around in dance attire and
talking very fast as she bustled
around the house. The thought that
day, which still remains in my mind,
is, ‘Wow, she’s a fun Mom!’ Bambi
and Robin were indeed blessed.”
Liz (Kelly) Reiter, Family Friend
“For all those mornings that we
showed up at Miss Bev’s dance studio,
usually tired, rarely eager, many times
hungover, Miss Bev always greeted us
enthusiastically, and although never
afraid to be critical with those who
needed it, never made any one of us
feel like we could not dance or move
if we put our mind to it, and because
of that, maybe we tried a little harder,
if not for ourselves, but for her.”
Ed Kent, ’87
“It is with great sadness that I
receive the news of the passing of
Miss Bev. I served as musical director
It was clear to see that Miss Bev, even at age 17, was
a dancer with flair.
at Artpark for almost 20 years and
thoroughly enjoyed every production
in which I participated — especially
with Bev. She was a joy as a choreographer and human being. Future
students will be deprived of her
infectious personality and dedication
to quality performance.”
John Head, Colleague and Friend
“I believe the thing about Miss
Bev that I cherished the most was her
ability to show kindness at every turn.
She modeled for us (students) what
it meant to be a professional. We
quickly learned that you had to have
heart and not just the moves. She was a
great cheerleader when we got it right
and she taught us how to have integrity when we didn’t get it right.”
Maureen Ann Porter, ’86
“Mrs. Bev — a mentor and dear
friend! Mrs. Bev has taught me that
life and dance go hand-in-hand!
Success in both can be achieved
through hard work and determination
when you put your mind and soul
into it.”
Stacy Zawadzki-Janusz
Senior Dance Lecturer
“Miss Bev has been a dear friend
and ‘surrogate mother’ to me for the
last 31 years. It was so typical of her
to take everyone, including animals,
Niagara University Theatre Newsletter
under her wing. She kept us warm
with her love, kindness, generosity
and sense of humor. With a twinkle
in her eye, she would ask me if I
remembered my tap shoes for class.
She was a woman ahead of her time
in education, courage and ingenuity,
as reflected in her daughters, Bambi
and Robin. Miss Bev will live in our
hearts forever as an extraordinary
teacher and choreographer. To my
daughter, Natalie Slipko, ’93, and to
me, she will always be ‘one singular
sensation.’ We love and miss her at
the dance studio.”
Elaine C. Slipko
Student and Friend
“During my freshman year at
Niagara, I worked in lighting and
stage crew mostly, and made my way
into a few productions. Cast in the
chorus for a Western musical comedy,
“The Death and Life of Sneaky
Fitch,” I was required to participate
in a big dance number which
included the whole cast. Miss Bev
had to stop rehearsal many times to
correct my foot movement. She kept
saying, ‘step-ball-change’ and
showed me how to move my feet.
Additionally she was very encouraging
to me saying, ‘I know you can do it.’
At the final cast party, she thanked
me for helping make her a better
dance instructor by being one of the
most challenging students she had
ever taught. Many a truth said in jest
… She was a great lady and extremely
talented. We were all lucky to have
had the privilege to work with and
learn from her. I’m still trying to get
it, Miss Bev!”
Bill Hoak, College of Nursing, ’79
“Miss Bev always made me believe
that I could be a dancer, even though
I really wasn’t. She once told me that
my body was not built to be a dancer,
but somehow, I just ignored that,
like the bumblebee who doesn’t
realize his body is too heavy to fly.
So, she was always confident that
whatever she gave me to do, I would
find a way to accomplish it. I will
Niagara University Theatre Newsletter
never forget when she cast me as the
solo Turkish dancer in “Zorba,” and I
went to her to make sure it wasn’t a
mistake. And somehow, because of
her, I was able to dance … usually
with lots of extra hours of practice on
my own, and certainly because I
wanted to make her proud. She taught
me about determination, discipline
and patience, but she was also one of
the funniest people I have ever known.
We were always laughing when we
worked on something — I remember
that most. In all honesty, she is one
of the handful of unique and inspirational teachers that shaped not only
who I am as a performer and artist,
but as a person. I will hold her very
close to my heart and think of her
anytime I put on a pair of jazz or tap
shoes or climb a steep and very
narrow stairway.”
Patrick Riviere, ’88
inspiration. I
can remember
the first day I
met her at
my tryout for
her studio.
Although up
in years, she
was able to
Miss Bev graduated in 1949
kick up her
from SUNY College at
heels with
Buffalo.
such a
passion that she impacted my life
and from then on I carried that
passion right up until this very day.
Miss Bev filled me with so much
confidence, love and motivation in
my craft I never knew was possible.
She is the foundation of not only my
dancing but the driving force behind
my own passion to kick up my heels
for as long as I can. She will forever
be cherished with every step I take
and revered for the passion she put in
my heart and soul for the art of
entertainment. Miss Bev will always
be missed, but never forgotten.”
JennaBeth Stockman, ’09
“During my senior year, I took
Miss Bev’s dance class and was, by
far, the worst dancer in the class.
Miss Bev did her best to motivate
and help me but it was hopeless.
However, I did get an A in the class
because I wrote a mean term paper.
Miss Bev was a dear. I loved her
energy, style, sense of humor, work
ethic and the
fact that she
When acclaimed dancer Gregory Hines performed at SUNY at Buffalo in 2005, Bev
met him and presented him with the book she wrote, “Tap Dictionaire.”
was so down
to earth.”
Kathleen
Branigan,
President of
the University Players,
1972-1973
“There are
not enough
words to
describe the
incredible
woman Miss
Bev was. She
was not only
my mentor,
but a friend
and a huge
5
Remembering the Mistress of Dance
By Brother Augustine Towey, C.M.
Two dear friends, Beverly Fletcher Bellagia and
Brother Augustine Towey, C.M.
Editor’s Note: Brother Augustine
Towey, C.M., director emeritus of
Niagara University Theatre, celebrated
Beverly Fletcher Bellagia’s extraordinary life at her funeral service on
Jan. 13, 2009.
Heavenly Mother, we come today
to celebrate the life of a woman you
placed among us and for whom we
are extraordinarily grateful. She was
the mistress of dance, a gift she had
in abundance, and whose life was
spent in giving it to all of us. Not
all of us did as well with that gift as
she would have liked, but we are
grateful to have known the giver.
We return her to you today to a
heaven of which she always dreamed:
perfect cats and dogs and no animal
lame or hungry, time-steps without
time, impeccable pirouettes, the
loveliness and lovingness of faces
past, of parents, of relatives, of
friends. And we pray someday that
we may join her there — finally in
step, everyone on the right foot,
dancing in front of a sky of her
favorite color — red.
Beverly. Miss Bev. Bev. We all
know her by one of those names —
perhaps by all of them — and what
do we say about our dear friend on
this special day in so short an
amount of time?
I have no doubt that each person
in this room, each person who knew
her, has a story about Bev. Most
6
likely a funny one, perhaps it
occurred during a convention in a
single hotel room crowded with 20
kids, or perhaps a dance class in the
second floor studio of Ontario Street,
where the perspiration even oozed off
the mirrors, or it was in the living
room of her Garrett Avenue home
where she entertained us into the
wee hours of the morning with her
astute, often funny, sometimes
bizarre reading of her Tarot cards, or
a rehearsal for a musical at Niagara
University where the frustration
oozed off her brow as she tried to
teach — especially in the early days
— business majors and nursing
students how to dance, or even at the
local Tops market as she sashayed
down the aisles looking for chips and
pop with a gaggle of kids surrounding
the cart.
For every person who knew her,
there is a story because Miss Bev
could encompass, could include, all
the people she knew.
Perhaps we might remember her
for her wit — and she wasn’t just
funny, she was witty and fast as a
cramp roll. And she could laugh
about herself. For example, it is said
of her that one day a young student
asked her how many colors of red her
hair had seen. Without missing a
beat she answered, “You can’t count
that high, honey!”
She was one of the most compassionate people I have known. She
loved people — especially unusual,
out-of-the-ordinary people, the homeless, the abandoned, the friendless. It
was often part of what I came to call
her crusade of compassion. There were
days you would see Bev coming
toward you, walking with someone
dressed in what was more like a
costume than clothes, perhaps in a
large paisley caftan, with “Joseph and
the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”
feathers, gloves (though it be dead of
summer) and probably huge sun
glasses, gender impossible to determine. You couldn’t resist saying to
whomever was with you, “Oh, no,
dear God, please, no. Don’t let her
see us.” It was usually too late. Bev
was at your side, smiling and saying,
“I want you to meet my friend.” And
that usually undid me. “My friend.”
In Bev’s world there were only
friends. I want you to meet my
friend. There aren’t too many of us
who will meet the stranger, take him
along and call him friend.
However, she never lost her critical
or objective eye. She might later say
to you, “Now that was a strange critter,
wasn’t he? But I couldn’t resist. He
was terribly in need of help.”
And then there were cats and dogs,
and cats and dogs, and especially
cats. I have never been on one of
Bev’s midnight to 4 a.m. prowls
looking for a stray cat, but I am sure
many of you have. At times exasperating, yes? Well, also, “no.” I don’t
think it is an exaggeration to say that
concerning those stories, she reminded
me of St. Francis of Assisi. He was
the saint, you will remember, who
took in all the stray animals he
would find, especially the wounded
and sick ones. Just as he took in a
strange assortment of men who
became his monks. He cured most of
the animals, and I am sure in her
way Bev did the same.
Bev loved all people. It was what she
was about — as friends, neighbors,
students, colleagues. I cannot begin
to imagine the thousands of people
who crossed her life — and left a
different person because of her —
can you?
And first of all there were her
daughters. When I first met Bev she
told me she had two daughters, Robin
and Bambi. I said to her, “I know
you love animals, but what are your
children’s names?” She thought that
was the funniest thing she had heard.
Bev’s love for her daughters was
Niagara University Theatre Newsletter
never something I felt that needed to
be constantly demonstrated. It never
needed to be talked about. It was
just there. It was part of her being,
like dance. They were part of her
being — indeed, so much so that
they each came to resemble her
although in very different ways.
Robin and Bambi, we are here
today because of our love for you, our
love for your mother, and because we
want you to know that we are with
you today in your grief.
I was talking to Sam Viverito
yesterday and he reminded me of
something else about Bev. That one
was never in her company which one
might describe as full of sadness. Were
you ever in her company when it was
sad? Did you ever feel sadness when
you were around her? I don’t think so.
Bev was a teacher — above anything else she was a teacher. A great
teacher and in all my years in the
classroom one of the greatest I have
known. First of all, she knew her
subject matter — dance. Not just
steps or combinations of steps, but
the history of dance and style and
period and who the innovators were.
As a teacher she was clear, precise
and honest. As a teacher she was
patient — endlessly patient. It was
one of her most memorable qualities.
Most of you have probably all
experienced in dance class or rehearsal
the moment when you just weren’t
getting it, and Bev would take you
by the wrist and make you do it,
with her demonstrating at your side,
over and over until you got it.
At the center of her teaching was
the student and her love for the
student. And I think today of all the
students she reached — the thousands
of young people who are better for
having
known
Bev —
like all of
us.
Miss
Bev was
larger
than life,
larger
than
words,
larger
than the sum of us but always there
for each of us. Beverly, Miss Bev, Bev,
Muriel — I called her Muriel, she
called me Jonathan, it was a little
game we had — may the angels lead
you into paradise. May your parents,
Hazel and Charles, and every dancer
and friend welcome you and take you
to the holy city, the new and eternal
Jerusalem.
Hourie Joins Theater Department Faculty
By Ann Heuer, ’78
In
April,
Troy
Hourie
was
named
assistant
professor of
scene design in Niagara University’s
department of theater and fine arts.
Hourie has designed over 200
productions for various off-Broadway,
regional and opera companies across
the United States, including The
New Victory, New York Theatre
Workshop, Cherry Lane Theatre,
Brooklyn Academy of Music, Classical
Theatre Harlem, The Guthrie, Bay
Street Theatre, Westport Country
Playhouse, Williamstown, Syracuse
Stage, Studio Arena Theatre and
Sarasota Opera. Awards include:
2003 Drama Desk Nomination,
2007 Henry Hewes Nomination,
2005 Audelco Award and six
Niagara University Theatre Newsletter
nominations, and a 2005 Ford
Foundation Artist Grant.
When asked of a favorite memory,
he recalled an evening at the Bay
Street Theatre in Sag Harbor, N.Y.,
which is run by the daughter of Julie
Andrews, Emma Walton. At a performance of “Once on this Island,”
which Hourie designed, he overheard
Andrews whisper to her daughter,
“This is the most magical set I’ve seen!”
A few recent outside shows for
which Hourie has designed sets
include: “Playboy of the Western
World” for Queens College in New
York City, and “Three Sisters” for the
Classical Theatre of Harlem.
Hourie’s teaching experience includes serving as an adjunct professor
at NYU Steinhardt and as a guest
designer or lecturer at Juilliard,
Cornell University, the University of
Colorado and the University of
Connecticut. He has served this past
year as the interim assistant professor
of scene design at NU.
Dr. Sharon Watkinson, chair of
Niagara’s department of theater and
fine arts, said, “We are delighted to
welcome Troy to our department and
are pleased that a number of the
courses he will teach will be open to
all of NU’s students, from water media
to theater graphics, among others.”
Gregory Fletcher, director of
Niagara University Theatre, added,
“Troy’s vision for set design is very
unique and atypical, partly because
of his upbringing in Calgary, Canada,
with little to no culture (his own
admission) and even television
programming, his previous training
in architecture, and his design
training at UMASS — all of which
culminates into a distinctive,
insightful artistry. For anyone who
saw this years’ ‘The Cripple of
Inishmaan,’ ‘The Rink,’ ‘Romeo and
Juliet’ and ‘The Threepenny Opera,’
we can all feel very fortunate to have
Troy on our team.”
7
Derek Roland, Class of 2000:
Only for 24 Hours
By Gregory Fletcher
Derek Roland recently starred in
the three-man tap show “Time Step”
at the Joyce SoHo in lower Manhattan.
He received rave reviews in a number
of newspapers, including The New
York Times, which described “the
essence of the show as the kind of
wordless yet lucid physical comedy
that offers theatrical communication
of the most accessible kind.”
Roland started tappin’ at the age
of 16. He and Scott Poiley, ’00, were
considered the tappers at NU during
his time (1997 to 2000) — although
Roland never felt as accomplished as
Poiley, who reportedly started tappin’
the day after he learned to walk.
After graduation, Roland and Poiley
moved to New York City and studied
tap with Roxanne Butterfly at Steps,
one of the notable dance studios on
the upper west side. Instead of
breaking down the tap steps into
descriptive vocabulary (like shuffle
ball-change, flap-touch-step),
Butterfly would scat the rhythms like
a jazz singer. Roland started feeling
more and thinking less, and his sense
of accomplishment began to blossom.
Eager to land his first New York job,
Roland and Poiley went on their first
tap audition, both feeling as ready as
ever. However, within the first few
minutes, both were typed out and
dismissed without even getting to
dance. Understandably defeated and
depressed, Roland and Poiley created
a rule that Roland still lives by today:
You can only allow yourself to be
“bummed out” for 24 hours.
Roland was cast plenty of times at
NU Theatre. Looking back, Roland’s
favorite role was Bill, the male lead in
“Steel Pier.” Kander and Ebb, as well
as the librettist David Thompson,
were invited to attend the first run
through. During a break, Kander
called Roland over to the piano and
coached him on the song “Second
8
Chance.”
Kander told
him not to
think about
the notes so
much.
“Imagine a
composer
telling you
not to think
Derek Roland, ’00, center, recently starred in the three-man tap show “Time Step” at
about the
the Joyce SoHo in lower Manhattan. He received rave reviews in a number of newspapers,
notes?!”
including The New York Times.
Instead, they
talked about the character of Bill, the
encouraging me.” That drive paid off
moments within the song, and it was
when Roland contacted Randy
as if the song was being reinvented
Skinner, a Broadway choreographer,
especially for Roland. No wonder the
and asked if he could shadow him on
song brings Roland good luck
his upcoming production of “No No
whenever he sings it at an audition.
Nanette” at City Center Encores
Such auditions, post NU, led Roland
Series. Starring Sandy Duncan and
to four years of touring with “Show
Rosie O’Donnell, among others, the
Boat,” “Cinderella,” “Funny Girl,”
production rehearsed only eight days
and “Kiss Me Kate.”
before its first audience. Roland said,
Roland has maintained such a
“It was an eye-opening invaluable
busy schedule that it wasn’t until
experience to say the least.”
February of 2007 that he made it
Besides John Kander and Julie
back to NU for a visit — although it
Burdick, another major NU
was a sad occasion — the memorial
influence was Tim Ward. Roland
for Julie Burdick, ’03. Burdick and
remembers being such a smart-aleck
Roland dated during his time at NU
in Ward’s class about Theatre of the
and remained good friends thereafter.
Absurd. “I used to confront him in
They crossed paths often because not
class because Tim would always
only did they live on the same block
encourage us to ask questions and
in Astoria, Queens, but also at one
then push us to try to figure things
point Roland was rehearsing for the
out. He had the patience of a saint.”
tour of “Kiss Me Kate” directly across
In Roland’s senior year, when
the hallway from Burdick, who was
choosing the play he was to direct for
rehearsing for the tour of “Fame.”
the one-act play festival, Roland
The night Burdick shockingly passed
picked the very absurd Ionesco play
away, Roland was home and remem“Frenzy For Two.” Roland says, “Tim
bers hearing the ambulance zoom
never laughed so hard.”
past his front window. “Little did I
Today, Roland is full of aspirations
know it was for Julie. Her sudden
and projects. He’s an avid reader, he
death made me rethink my time. I
plays the guitar, he just finished
mean, she was so vibrant and so full
writing a one-act play, he’s writing a
of energy. She took the bull by the
musical — music, lyrics and book!
horns for what she wanted. To this
Plus, he loves collaborating and has
day, I still hear her voice pushing me
several projects in the works. Also,
harder, kick-starting my motivation,
now he teaches tap at Steps. “When I
Niagara University Theatre Newsletter
was first given the opportunity to
teach, I jumped at it but was scared
to death. However, thanks to Tim
and the rest of the NU Theatre
faculty, I love jumping into things
and figuring it out.” Roland also
teaches tap at the Broadway Dance
Center and gets jobbed out to teach
all over North America. As a member
of the Drama Desk nominated
Parallel Exit Physical Theatre
Company, Roland spends much of
his current time fusing tap with
clowning and comedy. “Who knew
all the required physical theater
classes at NU would pay off so much?
If only I had known, I wouldn’t have
skipped class so much — hint, hint
to the current NU students.”
Despite the fact that Roland is
living in a city that is over-saturated
“with so many talented people — I
keep doing what I am doing. I am no
longer obsessed with success; I feel
very comfortable with my pursuit of
opportunities.” Recently, Roland had
the best audition experience of his
life — for the Broadway production
of “White Christmas.” People were
being typed out and let go after each
new dance combination. By the end
of the day, Roland was asked to
return the next day. Altogether, he
learned eight dance combinations,
two songs and read many scenes. By
the end of the second day, it was
down to Roland and one other
dancer. With only one open track to
fill, the director, choreographer and
casting director were happy with
either finalist. So the musical director
had the final choice depending on
his vocal needs. Roland was a
baritone and the other guy was a
tenor. Because the musical director
needed another tenor, the tenor
In NU Theatre’s 1999 production of the Kander
and Ebb musical “Steel Pier,” Derek Roland, ’00,
played pilot Bill Kelly, his favorite role at NU. He
has his arms around Denise Payne, ’99, who played
Rita Racine.
made his Broadway debut instead of
Roland. And Roland was rightfully
“bummed out.” But only for 24
hours.
Gretchen Dizer, ’06, Lands Plum Role
with New York Lottery
By Ann Heuer, ’78
tap, jazz and ballet and swam
competitively. As a college
student in the theater studies
program at Niagara University,
she studied acting, voice, speech,
dance, physical theater, directing
and numerous other core subjects
NU Theatre alumna Gretchen Dizer, ’06, is one of several
New York Lottery spokespersons.
in pursuit of a BFA degree. In her
spare time in college, she studied
An old Irish proverb states, “A
Irish dancing and competed in the
handful of skill is better than a
Oireachtas Rince na hEireann, or
bagful of gold.” Some folks might
All-Irelands, held in Killarney. She
agree with this hearthside wisdom —
competed solo and with a figure
or not. But Gretchen Dizer, ’06,
team of 16 dancers, after having
knows firsthand that career skills and
qualified with a first-place finish
unexpected windfalls are both gifts
during the Eastern Regional Chamthat can change lives for the better.
pionships in Philadelphia in 2005.
A native of North Tonawanda,
Following her graduation from NU
N.Y., Gretchen Dizer is only 25, but
in 2006, Dizer headed back to
already her outgoing “girl-next-door”
Ireland to earn a master’s degree in
personality and hallmark traits of
ethnochoreology, the study of dance
passion, persistence and pluck have
in culture, at the University of
enabled her to become exceptionally
Limerick. She graduated with first
skilled. As a young girl, she mastered
class honors and stayed on in Ireland
Niagara University Theatre Newsletter
to teach and learn dance and to tour
with an Irish dance and music show
called “Ragus.”
After returning home from Ireland
early in 2008, Dizer “won the
lottery” of career opportunities when
she was selected out of approximately
1,500 applicants from all over the
United States to be a New York
Lottery draw team member. It all
began when her mother’s friend
heard a radio ad about an online
search for new lottery emcees. She
told the Dizer family about this,
thinking immediately of Gretchen.
“My mother nagged me about it for
weeks,” Dizer quipped. “I thought it
was just another online contest and
(if I applied) we’d never hear a thing
about it again.” As the old adage
goes, never say never.
The day Dizer traveled to
Continued on next page
9
Gretchen, continued
Schenectady to audition, veteran
Lottery draw team member Yolanda
Vega told her the New York Lottery
was looking for two new emcees. She
also shared a priceless tip: “Just make
sure you keep smiling until that light
on the camera goes off! Keep smiling.”
And smile she did. “I performed
the script, then smiled … and smiled
… and smiled. It was a long time and
my cheeks were shaking so I let my
face relax for a split second and did a
very cheesy, silly smile. I didn’t think
I’d be called back after this audition,
so I was just myself.”
A month later she was called back
to audition again — one of 10 possible candidates. A few weeks later,
she was offered the job. By June, she
relocated to Schenectady to begin her
work with the New York Lottery.
Executives there told her they really
liked the silly smile in her first
audition and the fact that she had
“an impressive background in
entertainment and education.”
“There is so little time to portray
personality in the televised drawings,”
Dizer explained, “so lottery personalities give patrons someone to
connect and identify with. Individual
personality is so important and it
needs to come across quickly and
apparently.”
So what does a New York Lottery
draw team member do? There are
essentially three components to the
whirlwind, full-time job: drawings,
promotional work and public
relations. “I might work a 16-hour
day one day and a two-hour day the
next,” Dizer noted.
There are four live drawings a day,
364 days a year. For every live drawing,
there are two hours of work because
of pretests, the live drawing and
post-tests. “We have an external
auditor present at all times when we
are working, sealed envelopes to
select ball machines and ball sets,”
Dizer added. “We must make sure
the numbers are coming up
10
randomly and if
they do not
meet our
requirements in
the time and
chances allotted,
we must replace
the ball sets or
switch a
machine. It’s
serious stuff.”
As for
promotional
work, Dizer
Gretchen Dizer, left, played Shelby Thorpe in NU Theatre’s production of “The
travels all over
Spitfire Grill” in October 2004. Here she shares a lighthearted moment with cast
the state
members Katherine Swimm, ’06 (Hannah Ferguson), center; and Lindsie Detota,
promoting new
’06 (Percy Talbott), right.
games and
highlights along the way. “I love
special seasonal games. “We usually
presenting those checks for millions.
have a wheel and great lottery prizes
The largest one so far was a
to give away at these events and I have
$21,000,000 press conference. One
a headshot I autograph for people.”
man won $16,000,000 on Lotto and
From Buffalo to Rochester, Albany
the others were scratch-off jackpot
to New York, what about those
winners. Another one made national
periodic articles in daily newspapers
news. I was on CNN and Fox TV and
or segments on local TV news shows
in Australian newspapers when we
that show Dizer posing with
reported on a church in Long Island,
winners? “PR” is another satisfying
N.Y., that received a $3,000,000
aspect of the job for her. “I get the
winning ticket from an anonymous
opportunity to present winners
benefactor.”
checks worth millions of dollars! I
Because of Dizer’s position with
announce it to the media at press
the New York Lottery, she is not
events, get to know the winners, and
allowed to play. Still, she knows she’s
present them and their stories so
hit the jackpot in finding a job that
everyone can see that these prizes are
excites her and utilizes her many
won by regular people, sometimes
talents, including dancing, since she
with extraordinary stories.” One of
often dances a jig at Lottery events to
the many extraordinary winners she
entertain the public.
has met is 38-year-old Buffalo
“I’m very happy with this job. It is
resident Hieu Tran, who won
out of the ordinary and always
$1,000,000 last December and said
changing. And it’s giving me a lot of
he wouldn’t quit his job but he
experience in front of many different
planned to travel back to Viet Nam
types of cameras and settings. In the
to thank his mother for paying his
future, I’d like to get into film and
way to the United States when he
do something with my singing and
was 17. His mother sacrificed so that
traditional folk/celtic music. But for
he could enjoy “freedom.” With his
now, this job is fun foremost because
windfall he plans to help her “live
it allows me to be myself and make
free and enjoy the rest of her life.”
people happy. I love doing that.”
It’s been a year now since Dizer
began her job with the New York
Lottery, and there have been many
Niagara University Theatre Newsletter
Updates!
Editorial Note: In each issue of the
Niagara University Theatre newsletter,
we will feature current news from
alumni, faculty, staff and students in
this column.
Emily Clare Boudreau, ’09, has
been accepted into the graduate
program at NYU Steinhardt and
plans to study educational theater.
This winter, Valerie Doulton, one of the British
faculty members at Schiller International University
in London, visited NU Theatre and posed for a
photo with all the theater studies seniors who
participated in NU Theatre’s study-abroad program
last summer. Front row from left: Emily Clare
Boudreau, Trevor Hibbard, Kurt Erb, Doulton,
Mallory Allen and Noelle Wright. Back row from
left, Amber Dawn Hohman, Greta Bowers, Preston
Cuer, and Dr. Sharon Watkinson, chair of the
department of theater and fine arts.
Virginia Brannon, ’04, was stage
manager of “Waterboarding Blues”
for Subversive Theatre Collective at
Buffalo’s Manny Fried Theatre this
spring.
Joey Bucheker, ’09, directed
“Anything Goes” for Theatre in the
Mist this winter. The production
included alumni M. Joseph Fratello,
’07, and Sara Kovacsi, ’06, among
other actors.
Derek Campbell, adjunct acting
professor, directed “Hedda Gabler”
for Buffalo’s Irish Classical Theatre
Co. this spring. He will direct “The
Tempest” for Shakespeare in Delaware
Park this summer (on stage June 18 –
Niagara University Theatre Newsletter
July 19). In August, he will teach a
directing course as part of the Drama
League of Ireland’s summer program
in residence at the University of
Limerick.
Brendan Cataldo, ’08, recently
performed as “Luke” in “Altar Boyz”
for American Stage in the Park Productions in St. Petersburg, Fla. On
April 19, he and the cast sang the
National Anthem at Tropicana Field
for the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago
White Sox.
Jayson Clark, ’12, was a light and
sound intern in May for Epic Theatre’s
off-Broadway production of “A More
Perfect Union” by Vern Theissen in
New York City. Troy Hourie, assistant professor of scene design, designed
the set for the production and
arranged for the internship.
Louis Colaiacovo, ’99, and Leah Russo starred in
Buffalo’s MusicalFareTheatre’s production of “Sunday
in the Park with George” this spring. Photo by Chris
Cavanagh.
Louis Colaiacovo, ’99, was in the
world premiere of “Twice Around,” a
play by Darryl Schneider, at Buffalo’s
Road Less Traveled Theater in
February. He also starred in the
musical, “Sunday in the Park with
George” at Buffalo’s MusicalFare
Theatre in April. Alumnus Paschal
Frisina III, ’00, was also in the cast
of this Sondheim musical. Frisina, a
drama instructor at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute in Buffalo, recently
directed the school’s productions of
“Twelve Angry Men” and “Joseph
and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Frisina also starred as Rick
Cota in “Bada Bing! Bada Boom” this
Alumnus Paschal Frisina III, ’00, played the lead
role in Buffalo’s MusicalFare Theatre’s production of
“Sunday in the Park with George” this spring. Here
he shares the stage with Sheila McCarthy. Photo by
Chris Cavanagh.
spring for MusicalFareTheatre and
will perform the role of Richie Valens
for the theater in July for “Buddy:
The Buddy Holly Story.” In August,
he will play the role of one of Joseph’s
brothers in “Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat” at Artpark
in Lewiston, N.Y.
Devan Corcoran, ’11, choreographed and presented an original
dance production, “Shut Up and
Dance” as part of an independent
study course this spring. The production starred over 20 of Niagara
University’s theater students and
nonmajors and was open to the public.
Class of 2008 alumni Kevin Craig,
Candice Kogut, and Charles Wahl
starred in Moliere’s comedy, “Such
Foolish Affected Ladies” at Buffalo’s
ALT Theatre. The production was
directed by Andrew Liegl, ’06, and
produced by Totally Liegl Productions. Kogut starred in “Blackbird” at
Buffalo’s New Phoenix Theatre this
spring, as well as Torn Space Theater’s
“The Fastest Clock in the Universe.”
Candice Kogut, ’08,
starred opposite
Richard Lambert in
Buffalo’s
New
Phoenix Theatre’s
production
of
“Blackbird.” Photo
by Michael D.
Klemm.
Marilyn Deighton, assistant professor of costume technology, was
invited to attend the ajudicated
poster session at the United States
Continued on next page
11
Updates, coontinued
Institute of Theatre Technology
Conference in Cincinnati in March.
She presented a session on “The
Artistry of Dressmaker Details” exploring the creativity and artistry that
can be achieved with simple sewing
techniques of gathering, pleating,
tucking, quilting and smocking. Two
theater studies seniors, Kelly Konecko
and Jared Hoyt, accompanied her to
the conference to work and attend
sessions. Konecko also toured the expo
floor, had her portfolio reviewed, and
she interviewed/applied for positions
with several theater companies. She
presented the crown she made from
tooling foil from NU Theatre’s production of “Life’s A Dream” for the
costume symposium’s poster session.
Hoyt worked in media set-up, which
allowed him to see several sessions
and make contacts with multimedia
professionals from companies like
Disney, PRG and TMB. He also
toured the expo floor, applied for a
few internships, and attended a session on media servers. Konecko and
Jessica Bill, ’10, recently worked as
mimes at Artpark’s Gala in early May.
Bryan Eckenrode, adjunct professor, was recently named conductor of
the Third Coast Chamber Orchestra
of Erie County. This summer, he will
conduct a string camp at Artpark in
Lewiston and at Houghton College
near Rochester, N.Y. He will also play
with International Baroque Soloists
for the Opera House in Fredonia, N.Y.,
and will conduct music sessions at
the Summer School of Performing
Arts in Warren, Pa.
Terri Filips, associate professor/
choreographer, attended the National
Association of Schools of Theatre
Conference in Chicago in March,
along with Maureen Stevens, associate
professor/design/tech. Filips is thrilled
to report that she will work with
adjunct acting professor Derek
Campbell as choreographer for “The
Tempest” this summer at Shakespeare
in Delaware Park.
12
Gregory Fletcher, director of
Niagara University Theatre, saw three
of his 10-minute plays produced this
year during NU Theatre’s Short Play
Festival: “Family of Flechner,” “Eight
Times Around,” and “The Moon
Alone.” In February, he was part of
two different panels at a national
conference in Chicago for The Association of Writers and Writing Programs.
Patricia Freedman, ’06, works for
International Speedway Corp. as the
ticket services supervisor at Watkins
Glen International in Watkins
Glen, N.Y.
Cassie Gorniewicz, ’08, played
Hester Falk in Arthur Miller’s “The
Man Who Had All the Luck” in April
for Buffalo’s Road Less Traveled
Theatre.
Stacy Janusz, senior dance lecturer,
and her dance company, ZPAC,
presented “The Working Puzzle of
Life” with actors, singers and dancers
at Buffalo’s Allendale Theatre in June
and will perform at Disney World in
July. Her dance company has also
volunteered at a number of community
events benefiting the American Heart
Association in Rochester, and Buffalo’s
Roswell Park Institute, Kids Escaping
Drugs Telethon, and the Lymphoma
Society. Janusz also recently made a
commercial spot for WNYB-TV, was
a teaching artist for Art in Education,
and a cardio instructor and fitness
assessor for BWI Health and Wellness
of Buffalo.
Nancy Knechtel, adjunct professor,
was selected to be a researcher for a
PBS documentary on Elbert Hubbard
and the Roycroft movement. She
researched background images and
film clips that related to the era and
historic images of Roycroft workshops.
The documentary aired on public
television stations this spring.
Gary Marino, dance lecturer,
starred in Lockport City Ballet’s
production of “The Nutcracker” in
December and rehearsed the local
students in the Ballet Met’s production at Shea’s Theater. He played
Merle in Buffalo’s Configuration
Dance Theater production of
“Arthur, Prints of Wales,” an updated
King Arthur tale involving a newspaper. This spring, he performed with
the CDT in “Evolution,” by Michael
Shannon of the Bolshoi Ballet.
Patrick Moyer, ’07, toured the
country this winter with The Rose
Theatre of Omaha, Neb., in its
production of “Miss Bindergarten.”
Brian Mysliwy, ’96, starred opposite
Alec Baldwin (star of NBC’s “30
Rock”) this winter for a one-nightonly staged reading of the Tonynominated play, “Speed the Plow” by
Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet
for Buffalo’s Road Less Traveled
Productions.
Mara Neimanis, ’85, directed
Hans Christian Anderson’s “The
Snow Queen” along with her colleague,
Bryce Butler, for Gallaudet University
in December. She also was the
innovator behind the production’s
concept, set and aerial choreography.
The production, a 60-minute aerial
and mask performance set atop
floating ice castles amidst magical
flying forest creatures, premiered in
January 2008 at Quest Fest Baltimore.
Maura Nolan, ’12, and Steven
Sitzman, ’10, participated in a
reading of “Fall: A Rock Musical” by
William Horn at Buffalo’s Road Less
Traveled Productions’ Market Arcade
in December.
Elizabeth Oddy, ’03, recently
finished her two years of service with
the Peace Corps as a senior-level
educator, training future teachers in
Uganda. She taught communication
and public speaking, human growth
and development and general
aesthetics and she facilitated training
workshops.
Lindsay Pizzuto, ’07, started her
fifth season with Busch Gardens in
Williamsburg, Va., this year. She is a
show production supervisor in the
entertainment department and is
responsible for putting up a variety
of shows, including two special event
seasonal shows, “Howl-O-Scream”
and “Christmas Town.” During April
Niagara University Theatre Newsletter
she stopped by the theater department to visit with professors, staff
and students. She encouraged James
Campese, ’06, and Amanda Serio,
’09, to apply to Busch Gardens in
Williamsburg. Campese is now
working there on the “This is
Octoberfest” show in the German
Fest Haus and Serio serves as a
rotating/swing stage manager.
Brendan Powers, ’96, recently
performed in the Florida Rep production of “Dancing at Lughnasa”
and with the Southwest Florida
Symphony in an event called “Star
Crossed Lovers.” He was cast in a
reading of Theresa Rebeck’s newest
play, “The Novelists” for the Boston
Theatre Marathon in May. The
reading was directed by Peter
DuBois, the new artistic director at
the Huntington Theatre. In July, he
heads to the Barnstormers Theatre in
Tamwoth, N.H., to perform in the
Irish drama, “The Wier” by Connor
McPherson.
Former NU Theatre director Brendan Powers, ’96,
recently starred in Florida Rep’s production of the
bittersweet drama, “Dancing at Lughnasa.” Here
he’s shown on the set with Florida Rep’s associate
director, Rachel Burttram.
Marc Sacco, ’00, recently starred
in Buffalo’s Kavinoky Theatre’s
production of “Hot ‘N’ Cole: A Cole
Porter Celebration.”
Christina Sass, ’04, starred as
Mary Magdalene in Philadelphia’s
Academy of Music production of
“Jesus Christ Superstar” in January
with veteran actor Ted Neeley in the
lead role. According to the Philadelphia
Inquirer, Sass has won “raves and
ovations for her performance as Mary
Magdalene in the national touring
Niagara University Theatre Newsletter
production” of
“Jesus Christ
Superstar.”
Jessica Stahr,
’08, recently
wrote NU’s
theater department saying
“thank you for
everything
you’ve done to
prepare me for
the real world of
theater. I’m
doing great up
At the April 30 College of Arts and Sciences Recognition Day, 14 theater studies
majors were awarded outstanding theater student awards from their department
here in New
for academic distinction. During the past four years, all the students maintained
England.” For
a 3.33 GPA or higher while spending 24 – 27 hours in class each week and being
more informainvolved in over 50 NU Theatre productions. The graduating seniors entertained
tion about her
over 45,000 theater patrons while cumulatively maintaining a GPA of 3.74 or
higher. In addition, Preston Cuer, back row, third from right, was selected by the
work with the
faculty of the department of theater and fine arts to receive the Tim Ward Players’
Hampstead
Award for Excellence in Theater for his academic excellence, leadership, exemplary
Stage, visit
work ethic inside and outside the classroom, and Vincentian-like interest in
www.hampstead
always helping others. He was applauded for his outstanding academic track
stage.org
record and contributions as a performer, producer, director, stage manager, and
multimedia specialist. The late Tim Ward, one of the founders of NU Theatre,
Paul Todaro,
was a beloved acting professor and director at NU who encouraged the talents of
’87, directed “Is
thousands of actors, writers and design/tech professionals during his lifetime.
He Dead,” a
Back row from left: Terri Filips, associate professor/choreographer; Nicholas
comedy by
Cocchetto; Kurt Erb; Jared Hoyt; Trevor Hibbard; Ralph Donatelli III; Cuer;
Maureen Stevens, associate professor/design/tech; and Doug Zschiegner, associate
Mark Twain that
director of NU Theatre. Middle row from left, Dr. Sharon Watkinson, chair,
was adapted by
department of theater and fine arts; Greta Bowers; Kelly Konecko; Emily Clare
David Ives, for
Boudreau, Carolyn Wendel, and Kerri Lynn Bozek. Front row from left, Noelle
Buffalo’s
Wright; Paige Allison Mingus, and Mary Beth Lacki.
Kavinoky
beverlyridgepictures.com/films/
Theatre in February. Alumnus
video/chicago-overcoat-movie-trailer.
Joseph Wiens ’04, and former NU
Steve Vaughan, artist-in-residence
theater studies students David
and stage combat teacher, will direct
Lundy and Tom Zindle were in the
“Julius Caesar” for Buffalo’s Shakescast. Wiens also recently starred in
peare in Delaware Park this summer
“WoyUbu” a world premiere presented
from July 23 – Aug. 16.
by SUNY Buffalo’s Intermedia
Carolyn Wendel, ’09, will perform
Performance Studio and Buffalo’s
as a wife and ensemble member in
Real Dream Cabaret. Zindle and
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
Susan Drozd, ’02, starred in
Dreamcoat” at Artpark in Lewiston,
Buffalo’s Jewish Repertory Theatre’s
N.Y., in August. She plans to travel
production of “Awake and Sing!” in
to Japan in the fall to teach English
December 2008.
as a second language.
Ian Tweedie, ’05, recently earned
Doug Zschiegner, associate
an MFA in theater pedagogy from
director of NU Theatre, directed
Virginia’s Commonwealth University.
Kurt Weill’s and Bertolt Brecht’s
Damian Vanore, ’02, reports that
musical, “The Threepenny Opera,” for
he is featured in the trailer for the
NU Theatre this spring. In December
film “Chicago Overcoat.” The movie
he directed “It’s a Wonderful Life” as
may be released in 2009 and the
trailer can be viewed at http://
Continued on next page
13
Updates, continued
a live, on-stage radio show, circa
1946, for Buffalo’s Kavinoky Theatre.
The production received rave reviews
and was called “charming” by Buffalo’s
Artvoice newspaper. Zschiegner also
directed NU Theatre’s Senior Showcase this spring, featuring a night of
performances for family and friends,
and performances and design/tech
displays for area theater industry
professionals. On March 13, under
Zschiegner’s direction, NU Theatre’s
senior performance majors performed
for and design/tech seniors presented
portfolios to representatives from
Buffalo theater. Attendees included
directors and administrators from the
Kavinoky Theatre, Buffalo’s Infringement Festival, the Irish Classical
Theatre, Jewish Repertory Theatre,
MusicalFare Theatre, Road Less
Travelled Productions, Theatre for
Change, Theatre in the Mist, New
Phoenix Theatre, Subversive Theater,
Torn Space Theatre, and Ujima
Company, Inc. This annual event
provides real-world experience and
valuable contacts for NU Theatre’s
graduating class each year.
Congratulations Are in Order!
Lauren Marie Arena, ’04, will marry Toby McCann of Scotland in August.
Arena is finishing her master’s in applied drama at The University of Exeter,
Exeter, England. She is also currently working as a director and teacher in
England. McCann is a lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy.
NU Theatre alumna Alexia Crescenzi, ’02, and Eric
Gernant (pictured at left) will wed on Sept. 19, 2009.
Paschal Frisina III, ’00, and his wife, Kristen
Nixon, ’02, welcomed their son, Gabriel Paschal,
into the world on Jan. 11, 2009.
William Patti, ’05, and Brieanna Bailey, ’07,
have recently announced their engagement. Patti
just finished his last semester of graduate school at
Kent State in Ohio. He hopes to find a job teaching at the university level.
Bailey finished up her acting contract in Columbus, Ohio, and plans to go to
graduate school.
Niagara University theater studies
junior Sarah Jessie of Cleveland has
been awarded the Tara Laurie
Memorial Scholarship to assist with her
study-abroad experience at Schiller
International University in London this
summer. Jessie looks forward to her
course work at Schiller and to
experiencing London’s theater scene and
sightseeing. She said, “I want to gain
all I can from the classroom and outside
the classroom. Studying abroad feels
like a blessing.” Here Jessie, second from
left, poses with Donald Laurie, left,
Janice Laurie, second from right, and
Dr. Sharon Watkinson, right, chair of NU’s department of theater and fine arts. The Laurie family
established the Tara Laurie Memorial Scholarship in 2005 in memory of their daughter, Tara, a theater
studies/hospitality student who passed away unexpectedly in 2004, several months after participating in
the study-abroad program. The Laurie family said, “The Tara Laurie Memorial Scholarship is our way
of keeping our daughter’s song alive and her spirit of joy and love soaring.”
14
Niagara University Theatre
Newsletter
Editor-in-Chief:
Gregory Fletcher
Director, Niagara University Theatre
Managing Editor:
Ann Heuer
Office Coordinator, Department of
Theater & Fine Arts
Media Coordinator, Friends of
Niagara University Theatre
Editorial Consultants:
Dr. Sharon Watkinson
Chair, Department of
Theater & Fine Arts
Brother Augustine Towey, C.M.
Director Emeritus
Peg Lacki
Office Coordinator/
Box Office Supervisor
Contributing Writers:
Gregory Fletcher
Ann Heuer
Brother Augustine Towey, C.M.
Photographers:
Chris Cavanagh
Preston Cuer
Ann Heuer
Fred Heuer
Assistant Vice President
for Marketing
Michael D. Klemm
Carl Modica
([email protected])
Selectus, Inc.
(www.selectusinc.com)
Editing and Design:
Lisa McMahon
Associate Director for Publications
Please e-mail story ideas to
Gregory Fletcher at
[email protected]
or to Ann Heuer at
[email protected].
Deadline for submissions for the
fall issue is
Sept. 15, 2009.
Niagara University Theatre Newsletter
In the Spotlight
Clockwise from top left: In October, NU Theatre presented a readers’
theater production of “Metamorphosis” from the novella by Franz Kafka
and adapted by Stephen Berkoff. The production was directed by artistin-residence Steve Vaughan and staged at the Castellani Art Museum
next to a monumental inflatable sculpture of a dung beetle created by
artist Max Streicher. Front row from left, Casey Moyer, ’11 (Greta),
Joanna Farrell, ’09 (Mrs. Samsa), and Jared Hoyt, ’09 (Mr. Samsa).
Back row, Trevor Hibbard, ’09 (Gregor).
In February, NU Theatre presented a rock ’n roll, all-female cast version
of William Shakespeare’s classic “Romeo and Juliet,” which was directed
by adjunct acting professor Lawrence Gregory Smith. Here, Annise Celano,
’12 (Romeo/Abram), shares “his” despair with Emily Clare Boudreau,
’09 (Friar Laurence/Peter/Montague Crew/Cleaning Person/Security
Guard), while Greta Bowers (Nurse/Anthony Potpan/Balthazar/Prince),
right, watches and worries.
After watching the volatile stage combat in NU Theatre’s production of
“Romeo and Juliet” directed by adjunct acting professor Lawrence Gregory
Smith, no one in the audience would have kidded the actors that they
“fight like girls.” The fierce combat scenes, choreographed by NU artistin-residence Steve Vaughan and his son Will Vaughan, added electricity
to the production. From left, Emily Boudreau, ’09 (Friar Laurence/Peter/
Montague Crew/ Cleaning Person/Security Guard), JennaBeth Stockman,
’09 (Tybalt/Paris), Noelle Wright, ’09 (Benvolio/Lady Capulet), Greta
Bowers, ’09 (Nurse/ Anthony Potpan/Balthazar/Prince), and Jessica Bill,
’10 (Juliet/Greg Sampson).
Directed by adjunct speech professor Amanda Lytle Sharpe, NU Theatre’s
readers’ theater production of Steve Martin’s comedy, “The Underpants,”
was staged at the Castellani Art Museum in April. From left, several of
the cast members included Elexa Kopty, ’11 (Interlocutor), Courtney
Weather, ’10 (Gertrude Deuter), Kurt Erb, ’09 (Benjamin Cohen), Paige
Allison Mingus, ’09 (Louise Maske), Eric Madia, ’12 (Klinglehoff ), and
Will Hicks, ’11 (Theo Maske).
Niagara University Theatre Newsletter
15
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Left: Erin Daley, ’11 (Polly Peachum), and Nicholas Cocchetto, ’09 (Mack the
Knife), as newlyweds in Niagara University Theatre’s production of the musical,
“The Threepenny Opera.”
Below: Singing “Life’s a Bitch and Then You Die,” one of the satirical songs from
“The Threepenny Opera,” are cast members Erin Daley, ’11 (Polly Peachum),
left; Steven Sitzman, ’10 (Jonathan Jeremiah Peachum); and Joanna Farrell, ’09
(Mrs. Peachum). Back row, from left: Leanne Troutman, ’12 (Lucy Brown/
Beggar); Cait Holland, ’10 (Dolly/Beggar); Micheal Van Dyke, ’12 (Constable/
Beggar/Reporter); Nicholas Gnacinski, ’11 (Constable/Beggar); Kelsey Wright,
’11 (Beggar); Carolyn Wendel, ’09 (Reporter/Beggar); Kayla Kreis, ’11 (Betty/
Beggar); Joey Bucheker, ’09 (Rev. Kimball/Beggar); and Preston Cuer, ’09 (Filch).