In the process of cleaning out his office, Prof. Rees found a very unique and historic picture, and it seems appropriate to post it here at this time. This photo was taken on the occasion of emeritus Prof. Gary Eckhart’s retirement, and it is the only known picture that features all the past chairs of the Department of Theatre and Dance. Take a look:

Dr. Jack Cogdill, founding chair of the department, is in front. Standing L-R: Dr. James Ivey, Prof. Steve Rees, Dr. Bob Klassen, Prof. Joe Totaro

Finally, on a very sad note, the department has learned that Holly Phillips, the husband of emeritus Prof. Mary Charbonnet, recently passed away. Holly’s contributions to the department were enormous. His skills as a carpenter and upholsterer were legendary, and he was always willing to contribute his artistry whenever asked. He was the epitome of the southern gentleman; polite, kind, hard-working, generous of spirit, and a friend to all who knew him. The department extends its deepest sympathy to Mary on her loss. Alumni who are interested in contacting Mary to extend their condolences can contact the department at theatre.dance@fredonia.edu for contact information.

This is the first residency in which Alyssa and I are in separate home-stays, her with a fabulous woman named Lori, and me with a fantastic couple named Bob and Judy. Bob and Judy’s spacious home (reminiscent of a Northwest Native art gallery and lined with pictures that Bob, a photographer, has taken on his travels around the world) is perched atop the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Basically, as I eat my eat my breakfast and sip my coffee in the morning, I watch Orca whales hunt for salmon and bald eagles soaring in the sky…

Can someone pinch me, please? I can’t believe this is just part of my job!!

I promise to post more later on this week, but I know that many of you avid readers have been hungry for some sort of update on what I’ve been up to. Please know that I feel so grateful that this blog has garnered so much interest, and I hope that you enjoy reading about my adventures as much as I enjoy sharing them with you!

Many well wishes from the North Pacific!

P.S. Here are some photos from our residency last week in Eastsound, Washington (on Orcas Island) — Enjoy!

Down at the water’s edge in Eastsound, WA (on Orcas Island)

The quesadillas Alyssa made for us for dinner in our cabin at the Doe Bay Resort our second night in Eastsound (they were delicious!)

Me at the summit of Mount Constitution in Moran State Park. You could see Vancouver, Canada and Mount Baker across the ocean!

A restaurant right on the water where I had some fresh, yummy fish n’ chips right on Main Street in Eastsound, WA.

Orca whale hat! Orcas are totally ‘in’ right now…

So my second year as music director has started with Footlights Summer Theatre through the city of Erie.  We’re doing Damn Yankees with EIGHTY children aged 5-18.  The first week was audition prep work and on Friday, the staff sat down and cast the show.  Every child is cast in the show but we do have to cast the lead roles.  It was very challenging because we have a lot of talented little kids this year… but they’re still too young to play a role like Lola.  This past week, we planned on teaching a group number and blocking act 1.  In the mornings, we work with everyone and in the afternoons, we only keep the leads/older kids who play smaller roles (which is a huge group this year).  We ended up vocally learning ALL of the group numbers because the kids are so on this year.  I love my job so much because I wake up every day and teach something I love to kids who want to learn just as much as I can teach.

This job last year was a dream come true because I had always wanted a chance to conduct an orchestra.  This year brings a whole new meaning to “dream realized.”  When I got the music, there were 22 orchestra parts.  I thought I might get 10 players if I was lucky.  Currently, I have a full reed section, nearly full brass section, full rhythm section, and i’m slowly acquiring string players!  For the first time, I get to conduct a FULL ORCHESTRA PIT!!  And the best part is, that isn’t the most amazing thing to happen this summer.  I’ve often been asked why I want to pursue a career which cuold bring me fame/acclamation if I don’t want to be FAMOUS.  I never had a role model growing up.  Kids who wanted to be in the theatre didn’t have any upstanding actors to look up to.  I want to be that person.  I want to be the person to show that you can succeed by following what you want without having to give in to corruption that happens so readily in today’s world.  During this process, I’ve had a child come up to me and ask “when I get older, do you think I can be just like you?”  Moments like that cannot be described with words.  It really shows me that I’m on the right path.

Another lesson I’ve learned this summer: opportunities are always out there.  I recently auditioned for a production of Rent at the theatre I grew up at.  I came to learn that it’s definitely not the same place I got my roots.  I was a little bummed about the whole thing but I began looking around for something I could do.  I found a local place called “The Hangout” that supports local teenagers/young adults  and encourages them to make friends and try new things without temptation of drugs/alcohol/etc.  It was once an old movie theatre and there are some platforms still in place.  While on Samuel French, I found a musical version of the book Children’s Letters to God.  Tonight, the ball finally started to move.  If all works out, in August, I will be mounting a production of this show in a small local place.  The show is family friendly and the best part is, I will be bringing a kind of performance to life that this community doesn’t often see.  The local high school does grade A high school performances.  But that’s all this town is really used to without having to travel into Erie.  I’m so excited to see something new in the community.  And it’s all because I was told “no” from my first option. 

I guess my point is that “no” should never stop you.  If I had given up for the summer, I would never have found this opportunity to try something new that could benefit, not only myself, but the cast I’ll be looking for and the entire community!  Theatre is a kind of art that is much different from anything else.  It inspires us to view the world around us differently.  I’ll keep the updates coming on this new show and on Damn Yankees!

Wishing you all well,

KAB

Lisa Michaels on the Road

Yes, I am still alive! I have not a) fallen off a treacherous highway into the Pacific Ocean, b) not been TAD-napped by a swarm of rowdy children, nor c) gotten lost in the no-man’s land of the American North West. The past week and a half I have simply (though terribly inconveniently) been without a laptop and internet, though the problem has been resolved and I am now back in the blogging game!

Sunday, June 13, Alyssa and I waved ‘bon voyage’ to Missoula, Montana and hit the highway to The Dalles, Oregon! We drove through the most GORGEOUS stretches of road in Montana, Idaho and Washington en route to Oregon, and the city of The Dalles itself is breathtaking. We made good time on our journey, and were greeted by our fabulous contact Melanie once we arrived in Wasco County. We drove by The Dalles-Wahtonka High School where we would be based for the week, and then headed to our homestay’s home in the hills of The Dalles; Ray and Wendy are probably some of the most warm, welcoming people I have met! They went out of their ways to help Alyssa and I with whatever we needed during the residency, and they kept us very well fed! Their adorable dogs Madison and Missy were great, too! Joining us for our first week on the road was Reid, our absolutely fantastic, groovy trainer! This past week could not have been so successful or exciting without his support, knowledge and encouragement.

A really nice article was printed up about the auditions in the local paper (The Dalles Chronicle) that Ray works for. I’ve included the link for your viewing pleasure: http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2010/06/news06-17-10-03.shtml

There were two photos included in the printed article, and there was one minor misquote (it is written that Alyssa said something about how the kids do what adults deem impossible – putting on a musical in one week – but it was actually something that I had talked about)…oh well, you still get the general idea.

Although I can truthfully say that our first week was absolutely exhausting with all of the on-site, real-world learning that went on, it was just s equally rewarding. Watching those kids get up onstage in front of their entire community and seeing them all succeed and have a moment in which everyone was proud of them is touching for even the most apathetic individual. The sheer brilliance that the arts emit is what gives me the strength and determination to undertake the challenge of working with kids who need this program most; suddenly all of the long hours, physical strains and mental fatigue fades into the smile of a child onstage learning first-hand that he or she has the power to shape and transform the rest of his or her life into one radiant spectrum of different emotions and experiences after another.

It was pretty exciting to see so much community excitement about Missoula Children’s Theatre and overall, Alyssa and I had a fantastic first week on the job with a fun, great group of kids!

I’ve left the majority of my narration to the old adage “a picture’s worth a thousand words…” Enjoy the photos! ***It seems I am unable to upload photos at the moment, however if you are absolutely itching to see some pics, feel free to visit lisadmichaels.wordpress.com! (editor’s note – here are a few of the photos Lisa couldn’t upload)

P.S. Alyssa and I are currently camped at the Doe Bay Resort in Eastsound, Washington located on Orcas Island (of the San Juan Islands). Future post coming soon!

P.P.S. You can check out my headshot and bio on the Missoula Children’s Theatre website under current Tour Actor/Directors!

Until next time!

All is well here in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  I arrived last Sunday.  The flights were all fairly short and I sat next to nice people on all three plane rides.  It has taken a little time getting used to the different altitude.  Santa Fe is about 7000 feet above sea level.  It is so beautiful here.  The weather is beautiful and the sunsets are gorgeous.  This past weekend everyday was in the hundreds! Very hot!!! You can see 3-5 different sets of horizons.  There is no grass here, just a lot of dirt! HAHA.  My apartment is very nice; I share it with two other girls.  Erin is a lighting apprentice and Caroline is a dye shop apprentice.  They are both very nice!  The first week of work was a lot of information and rules.  It was very repetitive and at times boring.  I learned a lot about the Opera house and how it got started.  The placement of the opera house was very strategic, meaning that the spot where the theatre sits has the best acoustics in that area.

It is very intimidating being here.  I feel like everyone is better than me and older.  I am one of the youngest people in the costume shop. Everyone else is either seniors in college or have a couple years of grad school under their belt.  On the flip side, me being one of the youngest has some advantages.  I don’t have a set way of doing things, so I can learn from others about what will and will not work.  I also kind of like hearing about people’s programs and thinking to myself that Fredonia really has a great program and I am lucky.  A lot of students have been telling me that they are designing their first shows in the fall as seniors in college, and I have my first design as a Junior!

Sewing wise, I have learned several different little tricks and kind of a new way to sew.  I had to get used to the way my draper, Lara, expects our sewing.  I did several stitching samples and I started two different garments. I am going to have made two underskirts for the kimonos that will be worn in Madame Butterfly.  I will be working on all 5 operas.   I will also be running most likely all 5 shows backstage on wardrobe and as a dresser.  That will be fun but long hours.  The operas don’t start until 9 pm because that is when the sun goes down and will run for 3-4 hours.   The theatre is outdoors and the sunsets right behind the stage.

Hope all is going well in New York.

Anna Slocum