Greetings!

At a recent annual meeting of the National Association of Schools of Theatre, one of the speakers was asked what he thought an ideal background would be for a theatre artist.  He talked about the importance of a liberal arts education, combined with a professional internship.  He was essentially describing our program, an intensive theatre experience in a liberal arts environment, offering internships with Geva Theatre Center, Rochester's professional theatre company. 

We are proud that we offer such a rich background for those who intend to pursue careers in theatre, and equally proud that our program emphasizes collaboration, communication, timeliness and professional discipline for those who wish to pursue other careers.

This past year has been an invigorating time in the theatre department.  One of our productions, Stop Kiss, was honored by an invitation to present at the American College Theatre Festival regional festival; and our fifth biennial Festival of Ten was a great success.  Our 40th anniversary celebration gave us a chance to appreciate where we've been as a department, and think about where we're going.  It was at that celebration that some of our alumni spoke to me about forming a Friends of Theatre at Brockport. So that's in the planning stages.  We'll keep you posted!    Finally, we produced a departmental video (click here to view) that we are sending out to high schools this fall.

As always, we look forward to hearing from our alumni, telling us where they are and what they are doing since their Brockport days.

Warm regards,




Frank Kuhn
Chair, Department of Theatre

We're presenting an especially exciting season this year. We opened on October 11 with an enormously successful production of Neil LaBute's compelling contemporary play Some Girl(s). Paul Rudnick's hilarious comedy, I Hate Hamlet, will run November 30 through December 8 (with a student matinee December 4).

The first production in the spring semester will be Brian Friel's Irish drama, Dancing at Lughnasa, February 29 through March 8. In the season's final slot the department will observe the 40th anniversary of the original rock musical Hair, with a production of that theatrical milestone opening April 25. Please join us for any and all productions!

This fall marked the beginning of a new music minor offered by the Department of Theatre.

Students will now be able to obtain a minor concentration in music consisting of courses in music theory, history and performance. Several new courses were recently added to complete the minor which already offers classes in American Musical Theatre, World Music and voice.

A number of our students come to Brockport with experience playing instruments or singing in high school ensembles, often at high levels of achievement. We anticipate a growing interest in developing extracurricular musical opportunities. Stay tuned for news of new groups and other performance venues for music on campus!

Brockport theatre faculty have been receiving well-deserved recognition lately. P. Gibson (Trish) Ralph received the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion Award for her "extraordinary contributions" to the teaching and producing of theatre, and to the development and quality of the American College Theatre Festival.

Gail Argetsinger was also honored by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, as she was named Teacher/Artist of the year for Region II (a six-state region).

Richard St George, who taught and directed for the English Language Institute at Debrecen University in Hungary last spring had a directing award named after him! The award is to be given annually at Debrecen's Festival of Drama in English.

William Hullfish received a Gold Medal from the Smithsonian Institute for his cultural contributions with the Golden Eagle String Band in recording "Grand Canal Ballads" and "Body, Boots and Britches."

Frank Kuhn received an Ovation Award as Best Director in Colorado in 2006, as chosen by the Denver Post, for his direction of Sweeney Todd at Creede Repertory Theatre.

Last spring, the department partnered with Stuart Soloway, the arts events manager, and Tim Massey, the gallery director for the Department of Art, in presenting Setting the Stage, featuring designs by several Tony Award winners and nominees.

Actual costumes from the Broadway musical Side Show were on display, as well as scenic designs from current or recent Broadway productions of The Color Purple, Souvenir, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Pajama Game. Also featured were costume renderings from Tommy, Rocky Horror Show, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and All Shook Up. Designers participating were Gregg Barnes, John Lee Beatty, Desmond Heeley, Derek McLane, R. Michael Miller and David Woolard.

As part of its relationship with Geva Theatre Center, in addition to internships, guest instructors, and workshops, the department sponsors Stage Directions, a series of talks by Geva professionals on theatre-related subjects.

Last spring's speakers included Guy Bannerman, a Shaw Festival regular who was appearing in Geva's Our Town, talking about the actor's process; and Lizann Mitchell, who was appearing in August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean, on Mr. Wilson's legacy. The first talk of the 2007-08 season was on the direct/actor relationship, featuring Skip Greer and Sean Patrick Reilly, the director and an actor from Geva's production of Doubt.

Send Theatre news and updates to
Virginia Bacheler
Associate Dean, School of Arts and Performance
vbachele@brockport.edu

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