species.

“Parallel Lives” will be performed April 11-13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Helen Graham Little Theatre on the lower level of the Christy Administration building. For tickets or information, call the Southwestern College box office at 620-221-7720 or 620-229-6171. You can also visit their website at www.sckans.edu/theatre.

“The biggest challenge the girls have is developing several characters instead of having all this time to just develop one,” said Nikia Smith, stage manager. “From the perspective of stage manager, keeping track of who is who is a challenge in and of itself.”

Elementary education freshman Emily Tilton says she auditioned simply because she loves to act, and is having a blast developing so many unique characters.
“It’s hard to make sure a character doesn’t slip into the wrong voice, but I love playing them all,” Tilton says.

“Another challenge that comes with playing multiple roles is embracing the different dialects and body movements each character has,” says senior Danielle Morford. “Switching back and forth between them requires a lot of focus and practice.”
Morford plays many roles, ranging from a mermaid to a migrant farm worker. She also gets to perform a unique scene, where she humorously pantomimes a woman’s entire morning routine. While playing such a variety of characters can present challenges, the actors are also finding it rewarding.

“It’s not just memorizing lines, but it’s memorizing the attitudes of every character,” says junior Juliette Lowrance, whose roles range from a ditzy college girl on a date to Dumbo the elephant’s mother in a therapy session. “I love it.”

“I’d never been to New York before and never in my wildest dreams thought that I would end up there, but I knew I didn’t want to move home after graduation,” said Rowzee.

New York has offered a multitude of opportunities for Rowzee so far, including interning as a stage manager for Broadway’s “Wicked” and at Julliard, the prestigious New York City performing arts school.  Luckily for Southwestern, Rowzee had a gap in her busy schedule that fell at the same time as the production of “Sweeney Todd.” Director Roger Moon knew “Sweeney Todd” was going to be an enormous production for the college, and asked Rowzee if she wanted to come be a guest artist for the college.

“I had wanted to come back and work for Roger or Allyson for a long time,” said Rowzee, “and I knew I had to do it before I became a part of Actor’s Equity.” (Actor’s Equity is a union for professional actors and stage managers that has very strict rules concerning where its members work.)

Rowzee feels that this experience will not only benefit her career, but benefit the students at Southwestern.

“I’ve never stage managed a musical before, and I love getting to have that experience,” said Rowzee. “But I also love that I’m getting to mentor students on not only stage management, but life after college: things like networking, taking risks, and going for your dreams.”

Rowzee is teaching the students at Southwestern as much as they are teaching her about stage managing a musical. She has introduced many new techniques to the rehearsal process, techniques learned during her experience in New York.

“It’s been a great experience, and I’m sure I’m learning just as much as the students are,” said Rowzee.

“Sweeney Todd” will open March 1 at Southwestern College. A dinner theater experience is available for those who are interested (dinner seating is limited). Friday, March 1, dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and the show will start at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 3, dinner will begin at 12:30 p.m. and the show will start at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 7, and Saturday, March 9, dinner will be served at 6 p.m., and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m.  All performances will be in the Richardson Performing Arts Center in the Christy Administration Building.

For more information about dinner and ticket prices contact the SC box office at (620) 221-7720 or email performingarts@sckans.edu.

“Any student may attend the festival but there were students who were also invited to attend to perform and Southwestern was right there in the pack of invited guests to compete in those competitions,” says Allyson Moon, director of the theatre program at Southwestern.  “Students could attend workshops, a design expo, productions; it is a multi-faceted, week-long packed experience that folks in theatre learn and grow so much from.”

Numerous Southwestern College students earned recognition at the festival. 
Meritorious Achievement Awards were earned by:

• Anna Rosell for make-up design in “The Miser”
• Shane Schrag for stage management in “August: Osage County”
• Erin Buster and Danielle Morford for sound design in “August: Osage County”

A large field of actors competed In the Irene Ryan acting competition.  It began with 324 nominees and their partners.  It was then narrowed down to 64 for the semi-final round and 16 in the finals.  Southwestern had three nominees in this competition: Arden Moon and partner Chris Cole; Julia Faust and partner Shane Schrag; and Cooper Hart and partner Nikia Smith.  Faust and Schrag advanced to the semi-final round.
Aron Pfingsten wrote and submitted an original 10-minute play that was evaluated by faculty in another region of the country.  There were 84 submissions trimmed to six to be read and performed at the festival and Pfingsten’s was one of the six to qualify.
The Southwestern Homecoming production of “The Miser” had a scene selected to be performed at the festival.  Only six scenes from across Region V were chosen to perform.  Justin Tinker, Jordan Hill, and Austin Davis performed the scene.

The festival also included summer theatre auditions and interviews and musical theatre intensive auditions.  SC students participating in the summer theatre auditions included Chris Cole, Julia Faust, Rachel Rose; participating in the musical theatre intensive auditions were Arden Moon and Nikia Smith. 

Along with the students already mentioned, also attending the festival were Sydney Anderson, Jordan Angermayr, and Zachary Williams.  Roger and Allyson Moon and 2010 graduate Brooke Rowzee also participated.

“Roger and I have this commitment to have our students work after they leave Southwestern College,” says Allyson Moon.  “I attended workshops that had to do with the business of this business.  I took away new information that there is, perhaps like in any work opportunity, the tools that one needs in order to prepare changes with the times that which you live so I got some updates on some things."

“The students learned about how to design better, how to act better, how to use their physical bodies in new and different ways as actors on stage. They learned new tools for writing; I could go on and on.  What students learn is as infinite as what the festival offers.”

The theme for the show is “Once Upon a Nine Lives” which will consist of the troupe’s take on fractured fairytales. 

“Only once a semester does Nine Lives get to perform for the whole community instead of just the campus,” says Lisa Prater, public relations director.  “It is always an exciting experience for the troupe to perform for the community.”

The hour-long family friendly performance will consist of popular improv games, audience participation, and lots of candy.

For more information, call (620) 229-6272.

“Eagerheart,” by early 20th century English playwright A.M. Buckton, celebrates the legend that Christ and the Holy Family travel the earth each year, blessing one deserving home where they rest on Christmas Eve.   Eager Heart and her sisters, Eager Fame and Eager Sense, along with shepherds and Kings of Power, Wisdom, and Love, reveal their understanding of Christ and His teachings.  The search for the Holy Family is tested by beggars seeking food and shelter.  The play challenges and inspires audiences to live by Christ’s teachings throughout the year. 

According to director Roger Moon, the production of “Eagerheart” this year will be the traditional version.

“For the past three years, we have modified the production because we have taken it out on tour,” Moon says.  “This year we are returning to the traditional staging of ‘Eagerheart.’”

This annual production is the Campus Players gift to the community so there is no admission charge, however seating is limited so tickets need to be reserved.  To make reservations, contact the performing arts office at (620) 221-7720 or e-mail performingarts@sckans.edu.

In the spirit of giving, Campus Players are encouraging those attending to make a donation of money or canned goods to support the Winfield Food Pantry in their endeavors to help those in need. Green Team Southwestern encourages those attending to donate clothing.  Boxes will be set up near the Helen Graham Little Theatre to collect the clothing which will be given to Central Baptist Church in Winfield.  Volunteers will then disperse the clothing to those in need in Winfield.

“This is my first experience playing an elderly man, so channeling the mannerisms, movements, and physicality of an older man is a new experience for me,” said Jordan Hill.

According to director Allyson Moon, “The Miser” is a classic script that incorporates a lot of modern humor, which makes it a fun choice for Southwestern’s homecoming production.

“The translation we are using is very accessible for a modern audience and makes the experience very fun,” said Hill. 

“The Miser” will be performed Thursday, Oct. 11, Friday, Oct. 13, and Saturday, Oct. 14 in the Richardson Performing Arts Center. For tickets or more information, call the Southwestern College box office at (620) 221-7720 or (620) 229-6171, or visit their website at www.sckans.edu/theatre.  Devices to assist those with hearing problems are available in the box office, and an area is reserved for handicapped patrons and their companions in the rear of the hall.

“This is your last chance (to see this show),” says director Allyson Moon.  “If your friends or neighbors told you what fun this show is, here is your opportunity to see it for yourself.”

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” follows the experience of six young overachievers, each competing for the spelling championship of a lifetime. They are overseen by Rona Peretti (Julia Faust) who is a former spelling champion herself, and vice principal Panch (Aron Pfingsten) who has recently returned from a five-year hiatus after an “incident.”

The adolescents sing their way through the trials and tribulations of the spelling bee. Leaf Coneybear (Carter Humphreys) tells about the embarrassment of being dumb in “I’m Not That Smart.” Another funny moment, according to Moon, occurs when Logainne Schwarzandgrubenniere (Lenita Krejci) reveals just how badly she wants to win in “Woe Is Me.”

“Every competitor has a moment in the spotlight throughout the bee,” Moon says.  “Ultimately the six young people, and maybe the adults as well, learn that winning isn’t everything and losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser. After all, losing hurts less when Mitch Mahoney (David Cantu), the recently paroled ‘comfort counselor,’ is there to give you a juice box and a hug.”

Other roles include William Barfee (Matt Berthot), Olive Ostrovsky (Alessandra Bevilacqua), Marcy Park (Lauren Kohpay), Chip Tolentino (Shane Schrag), Coneybear’s mom (Lisa Prater), and Coneybear’s sister (Payton Humphreys).

The production debuted June 22 and was a huge success according to Moon.

“I think the audiences were surprised by how much fun they had seeing their fellow audience members become part of the production,” Moon says.  “They were pleased by the performance of the most talented cast which ranges from high school freshman to high school teacher.  I think they were touched by some of the stories as the lives of the different spellers were unfolded.”

Ticket prices for the show are $10 for adults and $5 for students and youth. 

Southwestern College faculty, staff, and students will be admitted with no admission charge.

For more information or to make reservations, call the Southwestern box office at (620) 221-7720 or (620) 229-6171.

“The book ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ is a classic about growing up and making tough choices,” says director Roger Moon. “It has been an inspiration to the imaginations of both children and adults for years.”

The story follows world-famous candy man Willy Wonka (Shane Schrag) on his quest to find an heir for his candy factory. Five boisterous children get the opportunity to tour the factory with their parents, and one by one are eliminated until one lucky child remains.

“What I’m really excited about is that the musical is the best of the book and the movies,” Moon says. “It has the best of the old music with new music created for the stage, and tells the story in such a way that it is delightful to children of all ages.”
The cast for the production is full of variety, including Southwestern students, alumni, and more than 30 community children. Moon says he loves working with community children, and has for many years.

“Working with families, and kids of all ages, shows how much talent is in our community,” says Moon.

The cast will serve a roast beef dinner before the show, meant to replicate the roast beef dinner Violet (Allie Lawrence) tastes when she chews the Everlasting Gummy Gourmet Gobstopper gum. Dessert will be blueberry ice cream.

Performances are Friday, July 13, and Saturday, July 14, with show at 7:30 p.m. and a 6 p.m. dinner, and Sunday, July 15, at 2 p.m. with a 12:30 p.m. lunch. Meals will be served in the Roy L. Smith student center and performances will be in the recently renovated Richardson Performing Arts Center.

Devices to assist those with hearing problems are available in the box office, and an area is reserved for handicapped patrons and their companions in the rear of the hall.

For more information or for reservations, call the Southwestern box office at (620) 221-7720 or (620) 229-6171, or visit the Southwestern theatre website at www.skcans.edu/theatre.

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” will be presented as a dinner theatre with the cast serving an All-American fried chicken dinner of champions before the show.

Performances are scheduled for Friday, June 22, and Saturday, June 23, with a 6 p.m. dinner and 7:30 p.m. show, and Sunday, June 24, with a 12:30 p.m. lunch and 2 p.m. show. Ticket prices for dinner and show are $25 for adults, $23 for senior citizens, $20 for students, and $18 for youth.  Show-only tickets are $10 for adults and senior citizens, and $5 for students and youth.

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” follows the experience of six young overachievers, competing for the spelling championship of a lifetime. They are overseen by Rona Peretti (Julia Faust) who is a former spelling champion herself, and vice principal Panch (Aron Pfingsten) who has recently returned from a five-year hiatus after an “incident.” The adolescents sing their way through the trials and tribulations of the spelling bee. Leaf Coneybear (Carter Humphreys) tells about the embarrassment of being dumb in “I’m Not That Smart.” Another funny moment, according to Moon, occurs when Logainne Schwarzandgrubenniere (Lenita Krejci) reveals just how badly she wants to win in “Woe Is Me.”

“Every competitor has a moment in the spotlight throughout the bee,” Moon says.  “Ultimately the six young people, and maybe the adults as well, learn that winning isn’t everything and losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser. After all, losing hurts less when Mitch Mahoney (David Cantu), the recently paroled ‘comfort counselor,’ is there to give you a juice box and a hug.”

Other roles include William Barfee (Matt Berthot), Olive Ostrovsky (Alessandra Bevilacqua), Marcy Park (Lauren Kohpay), Chip Tolentino (Ehen Hartung), Coneybear’s mom (Meredith Chavers), Coneybear’s sister (Lisa Prater), and Wrangler (Payton Humphreys).

The meal will be served in the upper level of the Roy L. Smith Student Center.  The production will be performed in Messenger Recital Hall in the Darbeth Fine Arts Center.
For tickets or more information, call the Southwestern College box office at (620) 221-7720 or (620) 229-6171. Information is also available on the Southwestern theatre webpage, www.sckans.edu/theatre.

“Children of Eden,” a contemporary musical by Stephen Schwartz (creator of “Wicked,” “Godspell,” and “Pippin) is inspired by the creation and flood stories from the Bible.
“Our production is set in a desert land inhabited by a multicultural tribe who enact the stories and songs of the musical in order to teach each other lessons about family, parenting, and the importance of beauty and hope in their lives,” says director Allyson Moon.  “The music is truly beautiful and inspiring.”

According to Moon, one “Children of Eden” actor takes this role of teacher to another level. Matt Berthot, who teaches vocal music at Winfield High School as well as musical theatre ensemble at Southwestern College, plays the role of Father. 

“In his job, he is a teacher of students, but in this show he is the teacher for the whole world as the role of Father,” Moon says.

“I have absolutely loved playing the part of Father,” Berthot says.  “It’s by far been the most challenging role I’ve taken on and has really stretched my abilities as an actor and a musician.”

“Children of Eden” will be performed in the Richardson Performing Arts Center, Thursday-Sunday, April 12-15, with show times at 7:30 p.m. on April 12-14 and 2 p.m. on April 15.  In addition to the production, an optional dinner featuring roasted turkey breast and baked apple dumpling will be offered.  Dinner times are 6 p.m. on April 12-14 and 12:30 p.m. on April 15 with the meal served in the Helen Graham Little Theatre. Tickets can be purchased by calling (620) 221-7720, emailing  performingarts@sckans.edu, or at the box office upon arrival at the show. Tickets for dinner and show are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors, $20 for students, and $18 for youth. Show-only tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth.

Devices to assist those with hearing problems are available in the box office, and an area is reserved for handicapped patrons and their companions in the rear of the hall.

Jenny is focusing on choreography that is appropriate for the time period in addition to being smooth and fluent.

“I have drawn from West African dances and gospel choir styles of movement, as well
as foxtrot, and even helping the students move as animals,” Jenny says.

Brandon is looking forward to his role as percussion master.

“While I do have experience writing and playing percussion, I haven’t had the chance to add it to a show in the past,” Brandon says. “To the best of my knowledge adding percussion to a show, especially onstage, is not incredibly common, so I am really enjoying this experience. It’s always fun to bring what you do into a different venue or scenario.”

Brandon has enjoyed working on this production with his wife.

“It’s been inspiring and fun to work alongside my wife,” Brandon says.  “We communicate very well (obviously), and being in this scenario really helps the creativity flow, so I think it’s beneficial for both of us. We hope to continue to find opportunities

like this in the future.”

According to director Allyson Moon, “Children of Eden” is a musical inspired by Genesis and the early books of the Bible.  Written by John Caird, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (creator of “Godspell,” “Wicked,” and “Pippin”), the musical celebrates creativity and the family.  The action of the play is driven by a tribe of people, perhaps survivors of an apocalyptic event, who sing, dance, and enact the stories of their creation and of the great flood.

“Children of Eden” will be performed in the Richardson Performing Arts Center, Thursday-Sunday, April 12-15, with show times at 7:30 p.m. on April 12-14 and 2 p.m. on April 15.  The show will be performed as an optional dinner theatre. Dinner times are 6 p.m. on April 12-14 and 12:30 p.m. on April 15 with the meal served in the Helen Graham Little Theatre. Tickets for dinner and show are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors, $20 for students, and $18 for youth. Show-only tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth.

“I have always found Ibsen to be compelling,” Boucher says. “He actually proposed that perhaps it was okay for people to want to think about their own happiness and what they want to do. And that wasn’t so unusual for a man, but it was extraordinarily unusual for a woman. And yet, in both ‘A Doll’s House’ and ‘Hedda Gabler,’ we see women who don’t have the freedom to make their own choices.”

Boucher is assistant director of “Hedda Gabler” with Roger Moon as senior director.

“Roger and I were talking last semester, and I told him I’d really enjoy directing at some point, particularly a reader’s theater, and he suggested I be assistant director for ‘Hedda Gabler’ and I agreed,” Boucher says.

Ibsen’s ideas of equal life choices for both sexes sparked heated debate when it debuted, and those ideas are still discussed today.

“The judge at one point asks Hedda ‘Couldn’t you find a vocation of your own’ and Hedda laughs, because at that time, that was a ridiculous notion, that a woman could have a vocation. The vocation they expect her to have is being a mother,” Boucher explains. “And yet Ibsen says ‘Why should women be treated differently than men in this regard? Why cannot any person make their own choices and decide who they want to hurt and who they want to be with?’”

Boucher has much invested in this show. In addition to assistant directing, she is also reading the stage directions.

“It’s been interesting to decide which ones are critical and which ones are not,” Boucher says concerning the stage directions. “There are scenes where, without awareness of what is happening, the language does not make sense, and so those stage directions don’t seem odd. I’ve been in groups where we read plays out loud, so hearing the stage directions read isn’t as strange to me as it might be for other people.”

“I think the audience will enjoy ‘Hedda Gabler,’ Boucher says.  “It’s has funny moments, it’s surprising. It doesn’t end the way people think it might. The students have really brought these characters to life. Of course, because I am an English professor, I always think that good drama is good for you. And even though this is a play from the late 1800s it certainly has issues that resonate for us today.”

Set in 1891 in Kristiania, Norway, the play examines the life of the title character, Hedda Gabler, but also delves deeper into human passions as Hedda tragically struggles to affect a human life, to create beyond herself. 

The production of “Hedda Gabler” is a creative leap for Moon and SC theatre students.

“We are an educational institution, and our students want and need to be able to wrestle deeply with classic and universal dramatic materials, and to be able to carry those dramas from the page to the stage. ‘Hedda Gabler’ is as complex as ‘Hamlet.’ It is a piece that great actors struggle over all their lives,” Moon said.

To further bring to light the deeper issues of Ibsen’s tale, the SC theatre students will perform the play as a staged reader’s theater. 

“In a staged reading, the audience can hear the words and imagine the action, rather than simply seeing the actors play the roles in costumes saying ‘believe that I am this person,’” Moon explains. “Instead they’re saying ‘I’m speaking from and for this person’ and the audience imagines the play acted out. It’s like a great old-time radio drama, it’s live. The live part of it is particularly exciting, because the audience knows they are engaging their imaginations at a new level, helping to bring the characters and story to life.”

A staged reading also gives student actors the freedom to dig deeper into the truth’s Ibsen reveals in his work.

“It allows us as an educational project to spend our rehearsal time digging into analysis. We’re spending night after night, asking questions and finding answers,” Moon said. 

The SC production is also unique in that Moon has cast two actors in most of the roles.
“We have the two casts so that as those different people create the scene the two different actors can figure it out individually and work together to analyze their work,” Moon says. “They are becoming more invested in this process so that the telling of the story comes out of them, the actors, and less out of me, the director. That’s what we all want for their educational experience, and the audience will experience a deeper and richer performance.”

Many people have come together to make SC’s “Hedda Gabler” a diverse and creative experience. Their talents run the spectrum from new actors, to technical crews and collaborators in other departments.

“This extremely high level of collaboration is a hallmark of the work we do here at Southwestern, and we know our audiences expect it,” Moon says.

The theme of the show is Improv Olympics which means the group will be split into teams and will compete against each other.

“It’s a load of laughs,” says Allyson Moon, director of the comedy troupe.  “The cool thing about the Olympics is that it feels like the competition makes the show a bit more interesting.  Parts of the audience may cheer a particular team more, the teams battle, and there will be a winner.  Audience members get to judge and score the performances.  The judges are across the board in age and will award points.”

Troupe members include Cody Davis, Montrose, Colo.; Jordy Train, Winfield; Justin Tinker, Las Vegas, Nev.; Chris Cole, Stigler, Okla.; and kitten apprentices Kelcie Parrish, Oklahoma City, and R. J. Schnack, Tulsa.

“We know there will be a lot of youth in the audience so we try to keep a lot of group participation,” Moon says.  “Some of the youth could be judges or on one of the improv teams.”

For more information about the show, call (620) 229-6272.

“As an annual event, ‘Eagerheart’ is a gift from Campus Players as we celebrate our joy in the birth of Christ, and selfless giving to those in need,” says director Allyson Moon.  “Many people in the area refer to ‘Eagerheart’ as the beginning of their Christmas season.”
Moon adds that “Eagerheart” is deeply moving in its timeless message of giving, and is a joy for Southwestern to present each year. The cast consists of Campus Players and an honored maiden who is invited to play the role of Mary.

In the spirit of giving, Campus Players are encouraging those attending to make a donation of money or canned goods to support the Winfield Food Pantry in their endeavors to help those in need.

Performances are free to the public. To make reservations, contact the performing arts office at (620) 221-7720 or e-mail performingarts@sckans.edu.

The play follows this family through their struggles to survive in the world. The characters' roles as archetypes are emphasized by their identification with Biblical and classical personalities.

“When the show was written in 1942, it was extraordinarily ahead of its time and audiences found it confusing,” said Moon. “Written in the midst of World War II, it was aimed to give great hope.”

“The Skin of Our Teeth” is a show that has an extensive history at SC. It has been produced three times at the college, in 1969, 1995, and most notably in 1953, when the Richardson main stage reopened after the tragic fire that had destroyed the building. 

“It’s a terrific experience for the theatre department, after having done ‘Richardson Fire Project’ last year and really connecting to those alumni,” said Moon. “Here we are, doing ‘The Skin of Our Teeth,’ playing the same characters that the students played after the fire. It is a show that has had a tremendous impact on those who have seen it and been involved.”

The set that will be used in the Homecoming production is the exact same set that was used in the 1995 performance.

“It’s a very complicated show to design, and because it is a good set and all fabric, it was able to be saved after that previous production,” Moon says.  “The entire set flies, which was a difficulty in ’95 because of the limited number of fly lines over the Richardson stage.  With the doubling of lines during renovation, the set now works better than ever. We had great difficulty lighting the set in ’95, but now with both the state-of-the-art lighting system and extraordinary lighting positions, the set and show will look great.”

Tickets are available in the Southwestern College performing arts office.  Call Rose Hanna at (620) 221-7720, or e-mail her at rose.hanna@sckans.edu.  Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children and students. Show times are Thursday, Oct. 6, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 7, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 9, at 3 p.m. 

The cast includes SC students Cody Davis, Cooper Hart, Lenita Krejci, Justin Tinker, and Lisa Prater.  Also joining the cast are Southwestern College director of theatre Roger Moon and associate professor of theatre Allyson Moon.

“It’s such a great opportunity to act with our directors and each other,” said Lisa Prater, sophomore from Derby. “We’ve had so much fun.”

The show is being put on as dinner theatre, as an effort to raise money for equipment for the newly renovated Richardson Hall.  The dinner is themed to match the production. The menu consists of orange chicken, wild rice, and tarragon herbed green beans. There will also be an appetizer of cucumber salad, dinner rolls, and mock champagne, and for dessert, white velvet wedding cake.

Show only ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students.  Dinner and show ticket prices are $25 for adults, $23 for senior citizens, $20 for ages 13-18, and $18 for ages 12 and under.  For tickets or more information about the performances call the SC box office at (620) 221-7720.

Show only ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students.  Dinner and show ticket prices are $25 for adults, $23 for senior citizens, $20 for ages 13-18, and $18 for ages 12 and under.  For tickets or more information about the performances call the SC box office at (620) 221-7720.

The dinner will begin with four-bean salad and dilly bread with apple butter.  The main course is barbeque beef, butter fan potatoes, and watermelon.  Filled apple dumplings will be served for dessert.  Dinner will be served in the Southwestern College dining hall in the Roy L. Smith Student Center.

The Tuna trilogy of plays feature two actors, Horsefeathers & Applesauce alums, Dan E. Campbell and Roger Moon, who bring to life more than 24 characters, including men, women, and critters.  The three comedies, “Greater Tuna,” “A Tuna Christmas,” and “Red, White & Tuna” are known for their split-second costume changes and side-splitting storylines which guarantee an uproarious theatre.  

All the money raised from “Red, White, & Tuna” will go towards the renovation of Richardson Auditorium as a new performing arts center at Southwestern College. 

               
“It is lots of fun for audiences to see what happens to the characters from the first play as the insanity of the holidays in Tuna grabs hold of them and won’t let go, and it is equally fun for Roger and me to develop the characters,” said Campbell. 
“There are new characters in ‘A Tuna Christmas,’ too, and they bring more craziness than audiences can imagine,” adds Moon. 

“A Tuna Christmas” will be presented as a staged reading with the actors changing characters without leaving the stage. A holiday dinner will be served in the Horsefeathers & Applesauce style at 6 p.m. with a 7:30 p.m. performance.

Show only ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students.  Dinner and show ticket prices are $25 for adults, $23 for senior citizens, $20 for ages 13-18, and $18 for ages 12 and under. 
               
The dinner is a Texas turkey Christmas dinner with ‘all the fixin’s,’ says Allyson Moon, director of the production.  “SC’s Sodexo food service is doing a great job, as they always do for us.”

For tickets or more information about the performances call the SC box office at (620) 221-7720.

On Sunday, June 12, the 2011 Theatre Festival will open with lunch and one performance only of the home-fried comedy “Greater Tuna.” On Saturday, June 18, there will be dinner and one performance of “A Tuna Christmas.” “Red, White & Tuna,” the third play in the Tuna trilogy, will play with dinner for three nights on June 30, and July 1 and 2. 

The Tuna trilogy of plays feature two actors, Horsefeathers & Applesauce alums, Dan E. Campbell and Roger Moon, who bring to life more than 24 characters, including men, women, and critters.  The three comedies are known for their split-second costume changes and side-splitting storylines which guarantee an uproarious theatre.  

“Greater Tuna” is the first play in the trilogy, set in the third smallest town in Texas. Judge Roscoe Buckner has died, which sets off a chain of events that impact every character in Tuna. For the performance on Sunday, June 12, Allyson Moon is directing Moon and Campbell in a staged reading with the two actors never leaving the stage. 

“They’ll switch characters right before our eyes,” explained Allyson of the style she is helping them create.  “The audience will see pictures of the characters in costumes from the 1994 and 2004 productions, accompanied by sound and lighting effects.” 

The lunch will be served by Sodexo in the Roy L. Smith dining hall at 12:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. show performance. 

Tuna, Texas, is not unfamiliar territory for the acting team.  Campbell, a Los Angeles actor originally from Wichita, starred in “Greater Tuna” and “A Tuna Christmas” with Moon when SC’s summer theatre Horsefeathers & Applesauce produced the two plays in the ’90s. The duo performed “Greater Tuna” again during the Horsefeathers closing season in 2004.

“The Tuna series has been popular with Winfield and regional audiences.  Dan brought the script to the attention of the H&A company and suggested that he and Roger do it in 1994,” said Allyson Moon, who directed H&A productions.  “Some audience members would come multiple nights in a run just to watch the fast-paced hilarity of those two and the world they created.”

“When Dan came to Horsefeathers in 1975, our third H&A season,” says Roger Moon, “he clearly was a funny guy with a great sense of humor off stage and great comedy skills on stage. I got to work with him during those years of Horsefeathers, both as a fellow actor and as his director. Audiences love him as much as company members enjoy working with him. Then he found these crazy plays and said ‘Let’s do them.’”

“As small town people, these plays are really fun to watch,” said Roger Moon, SC theatre professor who plays 13 characters in the three plays.  “A comedy about small town life—we recognize our fellow citizens and neighbors, our relatives, and ourselves in those characters.”

Campbell began working on Roger, along with Allyson Moon, two years ago as he offered to help Southwestern and Winfield by staging the trilogy to raise money for the multi-million dollar renovation of Richardson Auditorium as a new performing arts center.

“In 2008 when Southwestern announced the performing arts initiative, Dan called and wanted to do something to help,” says Allyson.  “Norman and Roxy Callison, founders of Horsefeathers and Applesauce, were dealing with Norman’s illness which led to his death in 2009. Dan wanted to do something to help.  Though Dan was not an SC alum, Horsefeathers made a significant difference in his life, and he knows how much difference it made in the lives of SC theatre students and others who were part of the companies through the years.  He also knew the significant difference Horsefeathers made to the audiences of Winfield and the Kansas and Oklahoma region.  Horsefeathers wouldn’t have happened without Norman and Roxy, and Dan wanted to do something to help honor them and make a difference for Southwestern, its theatre and its audiences.  We all hope doing the ‘Tuna Trilogy’ will make a difference and bring joy to our audiences at the same time.”
Doing theatre periodically at SC from 1975 to 2004 was a major part of his life, Campbell explained. 

“Theatre in those summers was the thrill of being immersed in what you want to do. Doing theatre, talking theatre, having the best time doing it and giving that joy to audiences,” says Campbell.

Campbell is excited that the Tuna project is a fundraiser for the Richardson renovation, which still has significant funds to raise for the theatre equipment needed to make the theatre the premier theatre space that SC is creating.  

“I hope we can bring a lot of laughter to Winfield this summer and joy for years to come by creating a top notch performance space for the performing arts and its audiences,” he says.

In the sequel “A Tuna Christmas,” to be presented on Saturday, June 18, it’s the holidays and radio personalities Thurston Wheelis and Arles Struvie report on Tuna’s yuletide festivities, including fierce competition in Tuna’s annual lawn display contest.  The Christmas Phantom is once again on the loose to throw a monkey wrench into the works. “A Tuna Christmas” will also be presented as a staged reading. A holiday dinner will be served in the H&A style at 6 p.m. with a 7:30 p.m. performance.

The fully staged “Red, White & Tuna,” directed by Allyson Moon, will run from June 30 to July 2. “Red, White & Tuna” is the third installment in the Tuna trilogy, celebrating Independence Day with Tuna’s preparation for its annual high school reunions. Dinner will again be at 6 p.m. with performances in Messenger Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m.

Show only ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students.  Dinner and show ticket prices are $25 for adults, $23 for senior citizens, $20 for ages 13-18, and $18 for ages 12 and under.  For tickets or more information about the performances call the SC box office at (620) 221-7720.

Auditions will be held on Tuesday, May 24, and Wednesday, May 25, in Messenger Recital Hall in the Darbeth Fine Arts Center on the campus of Southwestern College.  Audition times for both days will be 1-4 p.m., and 6-8 p.m.  Actors are to bring a photo and any song that they are comfortable singing.  The photo does not have to be a professional head shot.

The auditions are for actors ages K-12th grade but according to director Allyson Moon, adults are welcome too.

“We are looking for youth actors from kindergarten to 12th grade but it’s really open for actors of all ages,” Moon says.  “If parents want to participate, there are roles for them.”

“Schoolhouse Rock Live! Too” is a continuation of a production done 10 years ago.
“Southwestern College collaborated with Winfield Community Theatre for ‘Schoolhouse Rock Live!’” Moon says.  “This show incorporates more of those short pieces that teach us things we need to know like astrology, ecology, and civics.  I would encourage anyone to audition if they have ever had the desire to act or sing and maybe even dance a little bit.  This could be a great opportunity for families to be involved.”

Through the Winfield Arts and Humanities Council, three week-long classes have been scheduled.  Anyone participating in any of the classes will also have the opportunity to be in “Schoolhouse Rock Live! Too.”

The classes are:

• Story Theatre—Using both creative, dramatics, and traditional rehearsal techniques, children in grades K-3 will work with Moon and students from the Southwestern College Theatre department on development of acting, storytelling, and other performance skills. Class runs for one week, May 23-27.

• Music Theatre Performance—Children in grades 4-6 will work with Moon and students from the Southwestern College Theatre department on development of acting, singing, and dancing performance skills. Class runs for one week, May 31-June 4.

• Improvisational Acting—All levels of experience are welcome for this class.  Theatre gaming will primarily be used in process and performance.  Actors will work with Moon and members of SC’s improv troupe, 9 Lives, and prepare for an improv showcase.  Class runs for one week, June 13-17.

Performance dates for “Schoolhouse Rock Live! Too” are June 24-26.

For more information about the auditions, contact Moon at (620) 229-6328.  To register or for more information about the three classes, contact the Winfield Arts and Humanities Council at (620) 221-2161.

ALMOST MAINE

7:30 pm

Messenger Recital Hall

Friday, April 15th

ALMOST MAINE

8:00 pm

Messenger Recital Hall

Saturday, April 16th
Founders Day at Southwestern College!

Sunday, April 17th

ALMOST MAINE

3:00 pm

Messenger Recital Hall

Saturday, April 2nd
Work Day
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Meeting place  TBA
Coffee and Donuts

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

9 Lives Improv Show with comedian Adam Mamawala!

9:00 pm

Messenger Recital Hall!

Wear your green!

Friday, March 18th
Team Japan Meeting
12:00 pm
Cafeteria/Jinx

Almost Maine Rehearsal
3:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Messenger Recital Hall

HAPPY SPRING BREAK!!

           
This is particularly challenging because “Chicago” has to be performed in Messenger Recital Hall while Richardson Auditorium is shut down for renovation. The Messenger stage is small, with very little room back stage. Smith has fitted performers, musicians, and set on stage by building a stage extension into the auditorium. 
           
The Richardson renovation also presents an interesting challenge for Smith and the set construction crew. 

“As a result (of the renovation), our technical director is having to build the set outdoors and in the space itself,” Smith said.
           
Smith is excited not only to work with the Moons, but to work with one of his former NYU colleagues, Aaron Mooney, who was hired to do the lighting design for “Chicago.”
           
Aaron Mooney received a B.A. in theatre education from Tulsa University and then his M.F.A. in lighting design from NYU. 
           
“Theatrical lighting is a perfect fit for my brain, as it mixes the math and physics of electricity with the art of illumination,” Mooney says.
           
In New York, he designed lights for small theatre pieces, museums, fashion windows, and special events at Barney’s New York. He’s also designed lights for a wide variety of venues; some smaller than Messenger and some as large as Radio City Music Hall.
           
“‘Chicago’ is a wonderful musical,” Mooney says. “My favorite aspect of this show has to be the variety of musical numbers. From lonely solos, to powerful duets, to flashy group numbers, this show has it all.” 
           
Designing lights for this production, as with any, presents a number of challenges. With SC’s limited selection of lights and small budget, Mooney said a challenge will be making the show as flashy as possible. The layout of the theatre is another challenge.

“The theatre was truly built for recitals and concerts, with lighting positions in odd places for our purposes,” Mooney says.
           
Also working with “Chicago” are three Winfield artists. Susan Camp, dance teacher at Southwestern and director of Winfield’s Dance Camp Studios, is choreographer; Yvonne Marcotte is costume designer; and Cynthia Compton, musical director.
            
Marcotte received her B.A. in theatre from Marymount College and her M.A from Oklahoma State University.

“She is a director, designer, performer, creator of untold talents,” says Roger Moon.  She recently became involved in the theatre scene in Winfield costuming the Marquee production of “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “Footloose” for Winfield High School.  She is also costuming the upcoming “Vikings on Broadway” for the second year in a row. 
           
Musical director for “Chicago” is Winfield’s Cynthia Compton.  Southwestern College’s band and jazz band director Jimmy Leach will be the bandleader.  
“I am the musical traffic cop,” said Leach, who says his favorite part of this production is how challenging the music is for his musicians. “They’re learning new styles, impossible keys, very difficult rhythms, and fast tempos.”
           
Ukulele, violin, and saxophones are just a few of the many instruments being used for “Chicago.” Some of the music actually requires three musicians to play seven different instruments throughout the show. Thankfully, according to Leach, he has four talented players who can cover most of those.
            
“Chicago” opens March 3 and runs through the March 6. For tickets call (620) 221-7720 or SC’s performing arts office, (620) 229-6272.

Richardson Auditorium Update
10:00 pm
Christy Lobby

Work Study Meeting
12:30 pm
Java Jinx

Chicago Rehearsal
3:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Messenger Recital Hall

Saturday, February 26th
Chicago Cue-to-cue
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Messenger Recital Hall

Sunday, February 27th
Chicago Dress Rehearsal
TBA
Messenger Recital Hall

Dinner theatre is as hot in Winfield as jazz is in Chicago. Developed at Southwestern College in the ’60s and at Horsefeathers and Applesauce for 25 years, it made a comeback last year with the fall musical “Myths and Hymns.”   This has prompted Southwestern College Campus Players to plan another dinner theatre experience with “Chicago.”
 
“Theatre patrons in our region of Kansas and northern Oklahoma have spent over 30 years attending dinner theatre along with Southwestern College theatre productions or during the seasons of Horsefeathers and Applesauce. So they are excited for the opportunity to attend another dinner theatre production,” says SC theatre professor and director Allyson Moon.
 
The performances will be March 3, 4, 5, and 6.  The first three dinners will start at 6 p.m. with the show curtain at 7:30 p.m.  A final performance is set for Sunday, March 6, with dinner at 12:30 p.m. and the show at 2 p.m.  The cost for dinner and the show is $25. Show-only tickets are $10 for adults.  For special senior citizen, student, and youth tickets or information about the shows call the SC performing arts office at (620) 221-7720.

Dinner manager Arden Moon, junior business major, says this experience “will be a high class dinner with a menu inspired by food of the 1920’s and the feel of a speakeasy.”  Seating will be limited to 100 diners who will be able to attend the dinner and receive preferential seating for the show. 

“Chicago” will be performed in Messenger Recital Hall in the Darbeth Fine Arts Building as Richardson Auditorium is currently closed for full renovation as a performing arts center. 

“It will be like the great old days of dinner theatre at SC that I remember so well,” says Arden Moon, who was born and raised during the heyday of Horsefeathers and Applesauce.  “It is a real privilege and thrill to move from a kid waiter and actor to dinner manager.”