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CMU University Theatre
Report for 2013-2014
From Summer 2013 through May 2014, University Theatre provided 203 individual students
with 505 co-curricular opportunities in the areas of theatre and dance performance, directing,
playwriting, design, technical theatre, choreography, make-up and related theatre production
areas.
Combined attendance for all University Theatre produced/sponsored productions was
over 9,000.
University Theatre produced/sponsored 25 different productions (82 total performances) in
this time period. To effectively serve our students, the university community and the general
community, the season included a wide variety of genres and styles.
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Contemporary comedies (Buffalo Gal; House of Several Stories)
Major Broadway musical (42nd Street)
Suspense (The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde)
Classic Russian play (The Cherry Orchard)
The University Theatre Dance Company concert featuring faculty and
student choreography
Three student-directed, student-designed Studio productions (The Unseen;
God of Carnage; Love Song)
Faculty-directed studio production (Beyond Therapy)
The Alpha Psi Omega honorary theatre fraternity student written, studentdirected, student-designed one-acts (Common Enemy; Abacus) and
student-choreographed dance piece (Twisted Desire)
Seven productions/14 performances of student-written, student-directed
and student-performed Trap Door Improv company
The Alpha Psi Omega Play Blitz which presented student-written, studentdirected, student-designed and student-acted one-act plays
University Theatre Dance Company Studio concert featuring student
choreography and performance
Student-produced, student-written, student-directed episodic theatre
project (Rescue Me); 4 episodes
Performance by professional Chicago dance company, Jump Rhythm Jazz
Project
Summer Theatre 2013 was presented for audiences in Bush Theatre, Howmet Playhouse in
Whitehall, MI, and the Sturges-Young Auditorium in Sturgis, MI. Three plays were
performed in repertory in all three locations. These outreach productions were faculty
directed and designed, with all other work (performing, props, costumes, set construction,
lighting, sound, poster design, front of house, etc.) done by students under faculty/staff
supervision.
University Theatre brought in professional guest artists and theatre professionals during the
2013-2014 season.
 University Theatre contracted with professional dancer/choreographer, Ellie Sciarra,
to choreograph dance numbers for 42nd Street. Ms. Sciarra has toured the U. S. and
Europe with NYC TAPworks, performed in Draper on Tap for PBS and in Stephen
Sondheim’s Follies at Lincoln Center in New York.
 University Theatre brought in CMU Theatre alumna, Jill Fenstermaker, and her
Chicago improv company, Revolver, to teach a series of improv workshops. Ms.
Fenstermaker has been performing improv/sketch comedy for over eight years, and has
performed and taught improv workshops at universities around the country. Revolver
also performed with University Theatre’s Trap Door Improv troupe.
 University Theatre produced (with financial support from CDA, CCFA and the Provost’s
Office) the residency and performance of Jump Rhythm Jazz Project, the Chicagobased professional dance company. The members of Jump Rhythm Jazz Project
presented seven workshops/lectures that were attended by over 330 students, faculty and
community members. Jump Rhythm Jazz Project also performed in Plactha Auditorium.
 University Theatre brought in professional sound technician, Peter Ford, to mix/run
the sound for 42nd Street. Mr. Ford has worked as a sound technician for nearly twenty
years with companies such as Oakland Opera Company, West River Light and Sound,
and Soaring Eagle Casino.
 University Theatre commissioned professional playwright, Randall Colburn, to write a
script that will receive its world premiere as part of the University Theatre 2014-2015
season. Mr. Colburn was in residence for six days during the spring semester, working
with the director and students during meetings, staged readings and talkbacks. Mr.
Colburn has had his plays produced in Chicago and New York, and is a resident
playwright at Chicago Dramatists.
 University Theatre arranged to have CMU Theatre alumnus and film/television
performer Larry Joe Campbell, actor Jim Belushi, The Second City Hollywood
Artistic Director, Josh Funk, and television/film actress Megan Grano, teach
improv/acting workshops to CMU students.
 University Theatre arranged a panel called “I’m Graduating. Now What?” featuring
three Chicago-based CMU Theatre alumni. The panelists were Kate Holst-Test,
Steppenwolf Theatre Human Resources and Professional Leadership Programs
Coordinator, Rob Grabowski, iO and ComedySportz Chicago actor/improviser, and
Randall Colburn, Resident Playwright at Chicago Dramatists.
In January 2014, University Theatre arranged to send 18 students and 3 faculty
mentor/chaperones to the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region III
annual festival at Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw.
Five students competed in design related fields with graduate and undergraduate students
from universities and colleges in the five-state region (Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin,
Illinois, Indiana).
CMU Theatre students, Caitlin Eldred and Amy Sue Hazel, were selected
Finalists in the KCACTF Regional Costume Design Projects competition.
Caitlin Eldred went on to receive Honorable Mention (First Runner-Up) for
her work on Story Theatre in the KCACTF Regional Costume Design Project
competition.
Seven CMU theatre students and their partners were selected to compete in the Irene
Ryan (Acting) Scholarship Auditions with approximately 360 graduate and
undergraduate nominees from other universities and colleges in the five-state region.
CMU Theatre students, Zach Pedica and Lucas Cosens, were selected to
compete in the Semi-Final round of the Irene Ryan (Acting) Scholarship
Auditions. Zach and Lucas were two of thirty-eight semi-finalists selected
from the 360 nominees.
Zach Pedica was selected to perform in the Final round of the Irene Ryan
(Acting) Scholarship Auditions. Zach was one of sixteen Finalists selected
from the thirty-eight semi-finalists.
Two students were selected to compete in the KCACTF Stage Management Fellowship
competition.
CMU Theatre student, Kenzie Smith, was selected as a Finalist in the
KCACTF Stage Management Fellowship competition for her Stage
Management work on Buffalo Gal.
Four CMU students competed as design members of teams in the Design Storm!
competition.
CMU Theatre student, Amy Sue Hazel, was awarded KCACTF Honorable
Mention (First Runner-Up) for her design work on Story Theatre as part of
Design Storm! Team #6.
Several CMU students/student groups were also honored with Kennedy Center American
College Theatre Festival Certificates of Merit for their work in CMU University Theatre
productions over the past year:
The Ensemble of 42nd Street was awarded a Certificate of Merit for
Excellence in Collaboration and Execution.
Josh Schiefer, Lisa Lull, Conor Hall, Zack Pedica, Jackie Voice and Paige
Wilson, the cast of Criminals in Love, were awarded a Certificate of Merit for
Excellence in Ensemble Acting Work.
Matt Kurzniec and Collaborators were awarded a Certificate of Merit for
Excellence in Wing Design and Construction for their work on The Fireflies.
Participants in the co-curricular 2013-2014 University Theatre productions will be taking their
skills from Central into the professional and academic world. The following is a partial list of
what University Theatre students will be doing this summer and what some graduates will be
doing in the fall.
Actor
Red Barn Summer Theatre
Frankfort, IN
Actor
Huron Playhouse
Huron, OH
Technical Theatre
Weathervane Playhouse
Akron, OH
MFA Acting
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL
MFA Design
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ
Photography Intern
Disneyland
Anaheim, CA
Wardrobe Intern
Merry-Go-Round Playhouse Auburn, NY
Production
Management Intern Florida Studio Theatre
Respectfully submitted June, 2014
Steve Berglund
Director of University Theatre
Sarasota, FL