STONEHILL THEATRE COMPANY

NOVEMBER 11, 2011

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
Anton Chekhovs Three Sisters
Theresa Lang, Guest Director
Theresa Lang is a director, dramaturg, and teacher. She is excited to return to direct at STC after having had such a good time working on We Wont Pay! We Wont Pay! Theresa teaches, lectures, and directs in the Boston area in addition to maintaining a regional presence as a board member of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and the Kennedy Center Summer Intensive programs. Theresa has degrees from the University of Dallas, Brown, and Tufts.

The Stonehill Theatre Company has had a busy semester preparing for its production of Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov. Regarded by some critics as the best drama of the twentieth century, Chekovs play tells the tale of three sisters and their brother who dream of leaving behind their dull existence and moving to Moscow. Through a series of dreadful marriages, poorly-made decisions which result

in tragedy, and dashed hopes, these siblings must ultimately cling to their dreams and to each other in their desire for a better life. Directed by Theresa Lang, Three Sisters will take place at Stonehill Colleges Hemingway Theatre from Thursday, November 17th through Saturday, November 19th. Act now to purchase your tickets for yet another fantastic STC production! Call 508-565-1458 for reservations.

FROM THE DIRECTOR...

A group of people sitting around and waiting for their lives to begin; going through the motions of a life they were conditioned to live, but a kind of life that does not exist anymore. Looking at a world that is no longer recognizable and trying to nd some bearings in a society in ux. The world is changing but no one really knows what will be wrought. The storm is coming. There is something hauntingly timely about Three Sisters. Chekhov had a particular time and place from which his characters are forged, and the distance of culture and time is signicant at the start of this play. However, we start to see the points of connection, the ways in which these heroines are navigating their lives are not so different from the things we see and hear around us. By the nal moments of the play, the coming storm resonates with a contemporary moment of uncertainty and anxiety while groups of people sit around waiting for the lives to begin. As the director Liviu Ciulei said, "A classic is a classic because its modern."

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STONEHILL THEATRE COMPANY

NOVEMBER 11, 2011

SEWING SOCIALS
What initially started out as an experiment to generate interest for Stonehills theatre department quickly turned into a fun September activity for several Skyhawks. Professor Joan Halpert, Costume Designer for the theatre department, along with Costume Crew heads Tessa Stoecker (12) and Grace Walkowicz (12), sought to create an atmosphere that would establish a sense of community, explore new ideas, and spark the imagination. For two hours each Wednesday of September, they organized drop-in sewing sessions, in which students could complete a project they could be proud of in a short amount of time. According to Joan Halpert, the goal of these gatherings was to create enough of a connection with these interested students, that they will want to stay involved with our program and maybe learn more about what we offer onstage and backstage. Between 15 and 25 people ltered in and out throughout the rst session and the next week proved to be equally rewarding, presenting both new and returning faces. The setting is not stressful in the least. In fact, Walkowicz stated, We have music playing and lots of food in the hopes of creating a fun, casual and relaxing environment where people can come, talk and sew. Both Walkowicz and Stoecker design the projects in advance, which included crafty and practical items such as headbands and drawstring bags to hold iPods or cell phones. Ultimately, these socials proved to be successful, serving as a fun way to relax as well as to foster the great community of the Stonehill Theatre Company.

INTRODUCING ANDREA ANDY GRAPKO

Andrea Andy Grapko is a freelance director and teacher living in Rhode Island. She holds a Ph.D. in Theatre from the University of Colorado at Boulder and an M.A. with a focus in directing from Miami University in Ohio. Andy has studied Forum Theatre with Augusto and Julian Boal, Laban & Bartenieff Fundamentals at the Denver Center, and Alexander Technique at the University of Colorado. She is also active in new play development as well as a Society
UPCOMING SENIOR CAPSTONES

of Directors and Choreographers Associate, a member of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab and of the Association of Theatre Movement Educators. She joins STC for the rst time this semester teaching a new course, Devising & Radical Interpretation. The course is designed to allow advance students the opportunity to examine and explore contemporary theatre practice and practitioners. The course incorporates student work, both collaborative and solo.

This spring the Stonehill Theatre Company will be sponsoring two senior capstones. In a one woman show, Laura Toppi 12 will be examining the seven deadly sins through characters and songs from musical theatre. Brianna Wing 12 will be directing her own script, Revealed: Her Story, an interview-style drama on the topic of adoption. Stay tuned for more information.

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STONEHILL THEATRE COMPANY

NOVEMBER 11, 2011

Production & Stage Management is being oered this spring for the rst time, as part of a new Arts Administration major. This practicum course will introduce the fundamental roles and responsibilities of the stage manager and production manager. Students will gain hands-on experience through in-class activities, project-based work, and exposure to professional theatrical management. By the conclusion of the course, the students will have the requisite skills and knowledge to function as stage managers and production managers. The course will be co-taught by Professors Jim Petty and Theresa Lang.

NEW COURSE: PRODUCTION & STAGE MANAGEMENT

STC TEAMS UP WITH CHILDRENS MUSEUM

The Stonehill Theatre Company has teamed up with the Childrens Museum of Easton to help with their arts appreciation program. Brianna Wing 12 has coordinated with the museum to oer two workshops for children, ages 1-8. The workshops will focus on basic acting and storytelling skills through play and imagination. Stonehill Theatre Company students will also be putting on a small production for the children on December 9th. With a focus on positive theatre exposure, the performance will feature a rendition of The Lion and the Mouse, a short skit on the history of game rock, paper, scissor, entitled Rock, Scissors, Firecracker, and various other selections including Shel Silverstein and William Shakespeare. It is sure to be a good time for children and adults alike!

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STONEHILL THEATRE COMPANY

NOVEMBER 11, 2011

ALUMNI NEWS
Brian Olsen 94
Brian Olsen, class of 1994, is working in New York City as a production manager for The New School for Drama and as a freelance director. He is currently directing the original drama "Day of the Dad" with the theater company he cofounded, Orange Hanky Productions. Orange Hanky produces original gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered themed plays. www.orangehanky.com

Kristen Palleo 08
After graduating from Stonehill, Kristen worked as a book editor at Thomson Reuters in Boston for 2 years. As a result of a career change, she recently entered a Master of Nursing program at MGH Institute of Health Professions at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Currently, she is on the Family Nurse Practitioner program track.

Francesca Perrone 10
Francesca Perrone, a double major in Business Administration/Business Management and Fine Arts/Theatre Arts, moved toWorcester, MAand started working for the W.B. Mason Company Inc. as one of their Human Resources Coordinators. After a change in career goals, Francesca has begun working for Veterans Inc. in Worcester, MA as their Community Affairs Coordinator. Recently, she hasreceived a promotion and will continue her work in event planning along with assisting the Director of Finance and Development as well as the Executive Administrator/Human Resources Manager. Performing is still a very important part of Francesca's life and she is currently taking dance and voice lessons to keep up with her passion. She has been volunteering her time and talents with the Berlin/Boylston Regional Acting and Voice Organization (BBRAVO) and Mass Theatrica. Francesca hopes to become even more involved with community theatre sometime in the near future!

Elizabeth Dewey 05
Elizabeth Dewey recently opened her second dance and theatre studio, called Rumford Dance Theatre, Inc., in Rumford, Rhode Island. Also, she currently owns Barrington Ballet and Barrington Pilates, both in Barrington, RI. On August 20th, she married Timothy Keefe, also a Stonehill alum from the class of 05!

Joseph Gaylord 09
Class of 2009 alum, Joseph Gaylord, resides in Geneva, Switzerland where he is in the process of attaining a Masters Degree in International Affairs. He is currently working with their local English language company. In midNovember, he will be performing a staged reading of "In a Forest Dark and Deep" by Neil LaBute.

Jim Petty 05
Jim Petty (05) is currently a theater professor atStonehill College, as well as Technical Director for the Stonehill Theatre Department. In addition, he participates as a respondent for theKennedy CenterAmerican College Theater Festival. In his free time he continues to act and design with the FUDGE Theater Company, in residence at the ArsenalCenter for the Artsin Watertown, MA. Jim is now the assistant co-vice chair of the Design Technologies and Management initiative in Region I. At the regional festival in January, he will be working with the 48 Hour Play Slam.

UPCOMING EVENT We are please to announce our 4th Annual 10 Minute Play Festival, coming this February.

FLASH MOB!

Katie Bilodeau 11 and Lauren Cronan 11 have recently shared their involvement with a Flash Mob in Concord, MA! The ash mob is in collaboration with an HGTV television pilot. Dressed as construction workers and landscapers, they used the skills they attained from STC to nd the perfect attire for their roles. Clad in simple hair and minimal makeup, jeans, sneakers, and plaid shirts, these graduates certainly knew what they were doing to dress for their character and look great!

Newsletter formatted by Brianna Wing 12

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