The theatre department is looking to up the ante this season after having a season last year that exceeded expectations, according to Gina Neuerer, associate professor of theatre and dance.
“One of the most exciting things about this year is the change within the department,” Neuerer said in an email. “ We have a new chair, Stephen Skiles, chair/assistant professor of the theatre and dance department, who is coming in with great excitement and energy to jump in and continue the great work of this department, along with bringing in many of his own wonderful new initiatives.”
Skiles, a graduate of Hanover college, Ohio University and has also studied in England, said he is excited about the great line-up of shows and the terrific faculty and staff that he gets to work with this year.
“My most important goal this year is to continue to cultivate and enhance the outstanding programming, high academic and production standards, and strong sense of community that have been trademarks of the Sinclair Theatre and Dance Department for years before me,” Skiles said in an email. “It is also a goal of mine to establish more collaborations with organizations both on and off campus. I want our students to have as many professional and educational opportunities as possible.”
The department also added a new full-time faculty member, Acting Professor, Kimberly Borst, who will be teaching theatre classes as well as directing the spring production, “The Women Lockerbi,” according to Neuerer.
Last season review
The first play of last year, “The Little Shop of Horrors,” broke box office records with multiple sold-out shows and a lot of high school groups attending.
“It was a very successful musical,” Neuerer said. “It had really strong singing, dancing and acting.”
“Antigone” also broke winter records. Winter showings are often hard to sell, according to Neuerer, because of the bad weather. An additional matinee was needed for high school students.
“It was a good strong production of classic theatre,” she said.
“Dog Sees God” was the final play of the year and Neuerer said it really surpassed the department’s expectations. She said the goal for the play was not box office sales or audience count because the limited seating for the play could only hold 100 at a time. It was supposed to be an intimate show to bring in a younger generation and, according to Neuerer, it brought in more high school and college students than an entire season would.
“What I’m saying is that high school and college students chose to spend an evening and $10 to come see theatre,” Neuerer said. “That just doesn’t happen.”
Neuerer feels the success of last season was due to having a variety of offerings to educate students and she is excited to continue the success into next season.
The Musical
“Once on this Island” is the fall musical and has already been cast. The musical deals with other cultures and connects with the recent disaster in Haiti. There will be a lobby display to further help students learn about these cultures.
“A variety of cultures are represented in this show to educate our students about these cultures they aren’t normally exposed to,” Neuerer said.
Student Participation
The student showcase will return for the first time in more than 10 years and will give students the opportunity to write, direct and act in their own plays. Neuerer said students don’t usually write their own scripts for student showcases, so this is a great opportunity.
“Sometimes it’s better if they don’t have us looking over their shoulder and they get to do it on their own,” she said.
The Comedy
This winter’s play will be a comedy called “The Foreigner.” Neuerer said it is a classic comedy, but it also explores racial issues.
The Finale
The last play to be put out this year will be “The Women of Lockerbie.” The play is a drama that has a stronger role for women. Neuerer said that this is a very moving and dramatic play that made her emotional the first time she read it.
Neuerer said the theatre department has been growing for the last six years and she wants to keep it that way.
“I love the direction the theatre program has gone and will be taking,” she said. “It’s an exciting time.”