Theatre brings new talents, department head to the stage

    Whether a student is in the mood to watch a show or display their talents, GCSU’s theatre department provides these opportunities and more.
    With a new department head and eager students, the theatre department is sure to attract loads of attention this school year.
    With the departure of Kathleen McGeever, the department chair for the theatre department for three years, Dr. Brock Fisher has stepped up to fill her position. This is Fisher’s second year at the university.
    Before coming to GCSU, Fisher taught at Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind. Fisher received his bachelor’s degree in theatre from Central Missouri State University and his master’s and doctorate in theatre from the University of Missouri. Not only is Fisher extremely qualified for his new position, but he describes it as being great. Fisher already has plans for this year’s theatre department.
    “We hope to develop well rounded theatre students who not only act, but design, direct and understand both the world of theatre and the world around them,” Fisher said.
    This aspiration seems like it will certainly be achieved with the on-stage and backstage experience students will receive throughout the year. Fisher’s obvious enthusiasm for theatre is sure to rub off on everyone who gets involved in the department.
    “Theatre is an empathy-building exercise for the actors and audience,” Fisher said. “Both parties get a chance to see what it is like to walk in somebody else’s shoes for a few hours.”
    There is a lot planned for this year as far as productions are concerned. The theatre department is doing the following plays: “Sylvia,” “The Tempest,” “Coyote Point,” and “A Piece of my Heart.” Along with the plays, which are open auditions, there will be The Arts and Letters play, and the 24-Hour Plays.  All of the audition information will be posted on the callboard in Porter Hall.
   Rehearsals for “Sylvia” are already underway.  The show, which opens at the end of September, is a racy comedy discussing the love between a man and his dog.
    Junior theatre major, Scott Howard is starring in “Sylvia.” Howard has enjoyed working with Fisher thus far and says he is “really good and is doing a great job.”
     Playing the male lead will allow Scott to “work his craft on the stage.” Preparing for the show takes up a lot of time with rehearsals every weeknight and, as the show gets closer, weekend rehearsals as well. The students in the shows are extremely devoted and dependable.
    Sophomore Carey Stachler is not a theatre major, yet plans on attending the show later this month.    
    “I was involved in theatre in high school and am excited to see what the theatre department at GCSU is all about,” Stachler said.  Although she is not currently involved with the theatre department she is eager to learn more about it.
   Nic Marrone, a freshman theatre major, recommends the show to anyone who is interested in theatre or just looking for a source of entertainment.
    “All the kids are nice and there is so much more freedom than in high school concerning the shows we get to do,” Marrone said.   He also has felt extremely welcome by all those involved in the show and thinks “theatre people are the nicest people on campus.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 6 2007. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry