TADA!

Jennifer Cody ‘91 was awarded an Annie Award for Best Voice Acting in a Feature Production at the 37th Annual Annie Awards ceremony held in Los Angeles CA on February 6th, 2009. The Annie Awards celebrate achievement in the field of animation in television and film. Jen won her award for her performance as the voice of Charlotte in the feature animation film The Princess and the Frog produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. Jen has been a regular on the Broadway stage, having in appeared in numerous musicals such as Shrek The Musical, Seussical, Urinetown, The Pajama Game, and Cats. She will be in Fredonia this spring as a visiting artist for the Department of Theatre and Dance. Congratulations, Jen!!!!

Charlotte LaBouff voiced by Jen Cody

I recently had a conversation with an old friend that I went to school with before I transferred to Fredonia.  I contacted him because I wanted to share some of my thoughts with someone that I really know, who really knows me,  A peer who I look up to as a fellow director.  Nothing against Fredonia or my friends/teachers/colleagues here, I’ve been sharing thoughts with so many of them and it has been incredibly helpful, but I’m still somewhat new here, and I’m really still just getting to know some people, and them me.  I talked about my excitement, my worries, fears,  just about everything.

One beautiful thing that he said to me was in response to a concern I had.  I mentioned in an earlier post how some of the comments from my peers made me a bit nervous, how it’s nice that they’re looking forward to something that I’m doing, but it worries me because I don’t want that to get in my way.  I don’t want to become self indulgent, or worry about living up to others expectations.  What he told me is something I already knew, but hearing him say it made all the difference.  He said, maybe not quite like this and I apologize if this offends anyone, but he said ’screw it, don’t worry about what others think about you, because you know what you want to do and that’s tell a story.’  I mean, isn’t that why we do theatre?  We’re story tellers.  I proposed a play I wanted to direct because I saw a story that the playwright was trying to tell, and I wanted to help them tell it.  I knew from the start that what I wanted to do could easily be a failure, but I recognized that not trying for something bigger than myself would be an even bigger failure for me at this point.  And he told me that perhaps that’s why people are interested in what I’m going to do.  The fact that it’s not about showing what I’m capable of, but telling a story that I believe should be told, for whatever reason it may be.

Remember, we are all storytellers.  It’s not about flashy tricks and trying to impress people or one up the next person.  It’s about different people with different skills coming together with one primary goal: Tell a story.  If you don’t risk failure, you’ll never learn how to succeed.

Keep telling your stories.

So over winter break I went to London for a study abroad course with an excellent group of people. BEST TRIP EVER.  The theatre over there is fantastic; there are some huge differences!
First off, there are half-price and discount thearte ticket stalls pretty much everywhere.  Rachel and I scored awesome seats (third row center, front row balcony, etc.h) for about $45 American, the hour before the show.  Once you’ve arrived at the theatre via the extremely convenient London Underground, you head to your seat, thinking how awesome it is that you’re wearing jeans and a comfy shirt and yet not under-dressed. During intermission you may trot your way to the bar (yes bar) to purchase wonderful treats like candy bars and drinks and ICE CREAM which you may then proceed to eat INSIDE the theatre before leaving it under your chair for an employee to clean up after the show (there aren’t garbage cans). 

Sidebar: There was ice cream all over the place in London, not just the theatres.  They had Ben and Jerry’s vending machines scattered around and Hagden-Daas stores and non-franchise ice cream stores up to wazoo.  Now I don’t know how much you personally like ice cream, but I thought this was pretty dang exciting myself.

This trip was phenomenal, we saw nine shows in ten days, and I felt I learned something at each of them.  We went to a giant film museum, the most amazing aquarium I’ve ever seen, lots of free museum exhibits, THE GLOBE THEATRE, the National Portrait Gallery, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Cafe Trafalgar where Dickens wrote, Windsor Castle, STONEHENGE, and stood on the Prime Meridian.  I learned so much; about theatre, art, people, customs agents, getting lost, pub etiquette, architecture, royalty and excess.  I would take this class again in a heartbeat. 

The co-artistic directors of the Vampire Cowboys, Qui Nguyen and Robert Ross Parker, are on the SUNY Fredonia campus for a weekend workshop featuring a three-hour session on unarmed martial arts combat, and to introduce our students in their highly unique style of theatre by workshopping with them their upcoming script Alice in Slasherland. Their award-winning theatre has been highly praised by the theatre press in New York City, and has attracted a dedicated following that sells out show after show. With a combination of marital arts stage fights, a comic-book super-hero sensibility, and an outrageous sense of humor, playwright Nguyen and director Parker have developed a personal style of doing theatre like no other.

Below is some video taken during today’s workshop in unarmed martial arts combat. We hope to get some video up from the workshopped scenes after tomorrow’s presentation.

Hello everybody.  I’m  back for my tenth and last semester in college, and I have much to look forward to.

I’m happy to be back here, and to see some of my friends.  My break was stressful, painful, but overall it went well (sounds like what I should be saying about last semester.. hehehe).  I worked a lot to save up for all the things I have to buy for the semester; money is ‘easy come, easy go’ in college. I had to go to physical therapy quite a few times for an injury I got on my hip in a car accident 3 years ago.  As painful as the exersises can sometimes be, they’re helping so that’s good.  I babysat my nephew a lot, and found out I have a niece on the way (I’m very happy about that).

I spent a little bit of time working on 4.48 psychosis some more.  I’ve really been working on this project for about a year, and it’s almost here, I can’t believe it!  I took the advice from one of the directing books I have and that’s not to over study (BTW: Any students reading this, I own a lot of books on directing, acting and a LOT of plays that I’m willing to lend out if you ask )
I’m directing and designing the show, and because I’ve already put a lot of work into this play as a director, I spent most of my time over break thinking a little more about the design elements.

I spent the first 2 and a half weeks or so of break without once looking at the script.  I thought about it an awful lot, but I didn’t read or take any notes or anything.  That way, when I finally did read through the script again, I was able to let my mind wander a bit.  Instead of thinking about all the same things I thought of before, I discovered new possibilities, and thought of different ideas for certain things.  I’m understanding more and more about the script, and refining the story that’s going to be told.

I’m so absolutely excited about this.  I’ve started working on this play before I even submitted my proposal to pac!  The fact that this is actually going to happen blows my mind every time I think about it.  Some of my fellow students have also told me that they’re excited for this as well.  It’s really nice and flattering and all to hear my peers say that, and that they’re looking forward to what will be presented, but it’s also… not sure how to explain what I mean, but it kind of makes me nervous because I want to live up to that, and I don’t want praise to get in my way.  I always remember what a design teacher once told me and that’s “don’t let theatre make you self indulgent.”  I don’t want to rest on the fact that I think I may do well at something, or slack off because others think I will do well.  As good as it makes me feel to hear people say nice things, I can’t let it get to me.

oh, I never know how to end these things so.. Bye!

While it is far from springlike weather here in the farthest reaches of Western New York, the Spring Semester has begun. Students are all back, looking ready to tackle the challenges ahead. The faculty have had some down time for professional work, travel, and renewal, and just about everything is set to go. Here is a preview of our coming semester and what you can look forward to on the blog:

• Audition season has begun! In the spring semester we hold all our auditions/portfolio reviews for all our BFA programs. Note in particular on our audition request form that slots for the BFA Musical Theatre program are practically gone! There is an audition this coming weekend on Saturday January 30th, with no more slots available until March 27th. If you’re reading this and planning to audition for the musical theatre program, do not hesitate! Sign up for an audition slot ASAP! All other audition dates have openings available. No audition is required for acceptance as a BA student.
• Spring shows are gearing up! Our Walter Gloor Mainstage Series for this semester include the Greek tragedy Elektra by Sophocles (translation by Frank McGuinness) the weekends of February 19th and 25th; The Fredonia Dance Ensemble Concert the weekend of March 5th; and the Cole Porter musical Kiss Me Kate the weekends of April 23d and 29th. In addition, the students of the Performing Arts Company will present 4.48 psychosis by Sarah Kane, and Closer by Patrick Marber. Finally, the Orchesis Dance Club will present their spring concert in the Bartlett Theatre in late March. There’s a lot to see, produce, and look forward to.
• Vampire Cowboys will invade Fredonia! The artistic directors of New York City’s Vampire Cowboys, “an award-winning ‘geek theatre’ company that creates and produces new works of theatre based in action/adventure and dark comedy with a comic book aesthetic,” will be coming to Fredonia this coming weekend January 30-31 to give a workshop in kung-fu and capioera martial arts for the stage, and to workshop their upcoming script Alice in Slasherland set for a run in their home theatre in Brooklyn. Should be fun!
• Retirement festivities for Prof. Steve Rees! Our current chair, Prof. Steve Rees, will be retiring from the department at the end of this semester. We plan a festive weekend of well-wishing for him on May 1st and 2nd. So if you’re an alum, save the date and come on up!
• And much more! One-acts, senior recitals, portfolio presentations, capstone projects, final class presentations, awards and graduation all await us as we move through the semester.

If you want to get our RSS feeds so you won’t miss anything, just click the big button on the top of the home page to keep on top of our goings-on. Thanks for reading!

Hello everyone.  Classes start next week for the Spring 2010 semester.  I, however, have been in Fredonia for a full ahead of time.  Rehearsals for Electra are already under way!  We start each morning at 10am and work util 1pm.  Then we break for 2 hours of lunch and come back to rehearsal 3-6:30.  After 3 and a half days of this, this show is roughly blocked already!  Dr. Ivey has let the cast explore the space and find what naturally happens.  If something sucks, he steps in and fixes it.  If something is great, he tells us to keep it exactly how it was.

I’m SO thrilled to be back on the performing end of the spectrum.  Last semester was fun, but I miss the stage.  When I was applying for schools, I looked at a bunch of different majors, trying to avoid a performance major.  But in the end, I can’t escape the need to perform.  And I think that’s an important thing to consider when looking at a major.  If you plan on going for a BFA, make sure that need is there.  Otherwise, you might risk losing your love of the art.

That’s all for now.  A short nap, and then rehearsa l number 2 for the day!

KAB

During the intersession it’s a good time to get things done that you couldn’t get done before the end of the semester. One of those things is to process all the video shot of classes that presented final projects during finals week of the past semester. So now they are up, and we invite you to check them out. Just click this link to go to our YouTube Channel and you can see them all for yourself.

Here are a couple to whet your appetite (Warning – the fight sequences portray characters in extreme situations. Some may find the characters’ language inappropriate. May not be appropriate for young children or work situations):

SUNY Fredonia offers a study abroad program called Theatre Appreciation in London.  Basically, this class is an 8-day theatre extravaganza in London.  We go to London, see 5 shows, go backstage at the Royal Theatre, visit Stonehenge and Bath, and the rest of the “class” is free time to explore London.  There might be an official museum visit in there, too.  And I get 3 credits for that!

There are a couple of things that have me even more excited than just plain going to London.  The first is one of the plays we’re seeing.  It’s called War Horse, and it’s based on a children’s book of the same name.  It’s about a boy and his horse, and the horse gets drafted to serve for the British Army in the First World War, and then the boy is sad.  Or something.  Ok, so I haven’t done very much research into the specifics of the play, but I have seen this trailer, and that’s really all I need to know.

Warhorse in the West End

Are you jealous of me?  Because I’m jealous of me.

The other exciting part is how cheap theatre tickets are in London.  They’re around £35 for orchestra seats, which is around $55.  That’s about half the price of Broadway shows in America!  We’ve got a couple extra nights to explore, so I think we’re going to end up seeing a couple extra shows.

I’m the only senior going on the trip.  It’s mostly sophomore performance majors, so I’ll be getting to know people that I haven’t interacted a whole lot with.  In fact, most of my interaction has been as their crew head during Theatre Practice, or as a learning assistant in Intro to Technical Theatre, so I’ll be one of their peers for once.  It’ll be interesting (and the lower drinking age in England will make it very interesting!).

We don’t leave until January 6, so that’s all for a little while, but I’ll keep you up to date!

Love,

Kate

You would think that, with finals week now halfway through, things here might be slowing down. Not on your life! There is still so much going on that it’s mind-boggling at times. Here is our latest round-up of events and news as we bring this semester to a smashing conclusion.

• After conducting interviews with all the members of the faculty and staff in the department, the Dean of Arts and Humanities, Dr. John Kijinski, has appointed Prof. Tom Loughlin to succeed Prof. Steve Rees as Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance. Prof. Loughlin has been a member of the TADA faculty since 1988, and teaches acting and directing in the department. Prof. Rees is retiring from the department after 26 years of service. Prof. Loughlin will assume his duties as Chair on July 1.
• Speaking of Prof. Rees, the department will honor Steve’s 26 years of service to the department and the university during the weekend of May 1-2, 2010. A formal celebration will take place on Saturday, May 1 beginning at 2:00 PM. On Sunday May 2, a more informal BBQ picnic will be held. If you’re an alum and want to come help us honor Steve and give him a rousing send-off, save the date! We will be sending out more information as the weeks progress.
• Many of the acting classes have been presenting their final projects as public performances all this week. The Musical Theatre Styles I class taught by Dr. Jessica Hillman gave showings of their scenes on Tuesday night. Dr. Ivey’s Devising Theatre class had their presentations all over the RAC on Monday night, and his Scene Study class will present on Thursday afternoon. Prof. Sharon’s combat class will be doing their fights for certification this coming Thursday evening. We will be bringing you some video of these events as we get them over the week and sending them up to the YouTube channel.
• The One-Act Festival last week was a great success! There were 13 one-acts presented over three days, with a special presentation by Dr. Ivey and alumna Christina Rausa entitled I’m Herbert, about an older married couple mistakenly remembering all sorts of aspects from their respective pasts.
• The Orchesis Dance company had their fall Divine Union concert, featuring 16 different dance pieces from student choreographers, as well as a piece from well-known NYC choreographer Kyle Abraham.
• The London theatre excursion is getting set to go after New Year’s Eve. Kate Stack will be blogging from London this year.

So it’s been a wonderful and exciting semester for us all. Students are eager to get rest, faculty are eager to get rest, and come January 24th we will plunge into it all over again. Thanks for joining us on the ride. Look for one more post with some video to show, and then a Christmas break, with posts from the London trip over the winter break. Here’s a sneak preview for you from Musical Theatre Styles I class: