PSU Theatre - School of Theatre

P E N N S T A T E
PSCentreStage
Penn State’s professional theatre training program • 2014-15 Season Guide • Bi-Annual
Asa Somers, Ariela Morgenstern, Raymond Sage, Tommy Hart,
Christina Kidd, and Gregory LaMontagne in
Pulitzer Prize-winning NEXT TO NORMAL
PLUS
Noon in June
Broadway
on Allen
June 20
PatronS-Only
SoirÉe
College of Arts
and Architecture
Penn state centre stage
Pavilion Theatre
Curtain times: Mon.–Thurs. 7:30 p.m.; Fri.–Sat. 8:00 p.m.; Matinee 2:00 p.m. Opening night reception begins at 6:30 p.m.
Next to Normal does not, in other words, qualify as your standard feel-good musical.
Instead this portrait of a manic-depressive mother and the people she loves and
damages is something much more: a feel-everything musical, which asks you, with
operatic force, to discover the liberation in knowing where it hurts. ~ New York Times
NEXT TO NORMAL
June 4–14
Pavilion Theatre
A powerful rock musical with music by
Tom Kitt and book and lyrics by Brian
Yorkey, Next to Normal tells the story of
a mother struggling with worsening
bipolar disorder and the effect that her
illness has on her family.
In Next to Normal, mental illness—
specifically Bipolar I Disorder with
psychotic features—is portrayed in a
realistic, accurate way. The character
struggling with mental illness, Diana,
is not portrayed as the exaggerated
“psychotic” character often depicted in
popular culture, but rather, as a human
being facing a set of personal challenges
that are beyond her control. Similar to
the way that composer Jonathan Larson
portrayed the characters in the hit
musical Rent, Kitt and Yorkey highlight
the normalcies of the characters,
especially Diana—it is her struggles that
are placed at the forefront of the story,
not the taboo, “psychotic” aspects of her
disease.
next to normal Pavilion Theatre
Curtain times: Mon.–Thurs. 7:30 p.m.; Fri.–Sat. 8:00 p.m.; Matinee 2:00 p.m. Opening night reception at 6:30 p.m.
MON
Tues
Wed
June 10
June 4
June 11
Preview
June 9
ThuRS
Preview
June 5
June 12
Fri
Sat
June 6
June 13
June 7
June 14
Matinee
Sat
Next to Normal was nominated for eleven
2009 Tony Awards and won three: Best
Original Score, Best Orchestration, and
Best Performance by a Leading Actress
in a Musical. It also won the 2010 Pulitzer
Prize for Drama, becoming just the eighth
musical in history to receive the honor.
In awarding the prize to Kitt and Yorkey,
the Pulitzer Board called the show “a
powerful rock musical that grapples with
mental illness in a suburban family and
expands the scope of subject matter for
musicals.”
June 7
Evenings: $30 • Preview/Matinee: $20
Opening Night Pavilion Reception/Show: $60 (Includes pre-show hors d’ouevres, show, and post-show desserts). Outdoor Pavilion reception
begins at 6:30 p.m.; show begins at 8:00 p.m.
a Message from
Dan Carter
Dear Friends and Centre Stage Patrons,
Centre Stage supporters like you continue to empower our performers, directors, and production teams, but despite
the remarkable commitments made by
our friends of the theatre, attendance at
summer performances has decreased.
Ticket sales—an essential source of funding for Centre Stage—currently account
for only 25 percent of our operating budget. This leaves our organization to bear
an unsustainable portion of funding.
Change is in the air for Penn State Centre Stage. Because of your dedication to
our organization, I wanted you to hear
directly from me about what will be
different as we move forward, and why.
So much has changed in the nearly
three decades since Centre Stage was
formed. What was once a unique outlet
for local theatre now complements the
offerings of six other local theatre companies. Summertime in State College
offers more recreational events and
entertainment opportunities than ever
before, and while this growth has
enriched our local culture, it has also
created challenges for our organization.
Then, to celebrate our upcoming season,
we will host a Patrons Only Soirée just for
you on the evening of June 20. Details
regarding the event are included below.
While Centre Stage won’t produce its
own show in July, we are currently in discussions with some of the aforementioned local companies to present live performances and special community
events at the Penn State Downtown Theatre Center. We will continue to actively
What does this mean for the immediate pursue creative partnerships in order to
future? Members of the Centre Stage keep the Downtown Theatre a vibrant
board, Penn State faculty, and University resource for our region.
administrators have engaged with each
other for many months to find a solution And, of course, we will present a full
to this issue. Ultimately, to ensure Centre roster of professional plays throughout
Stage is able to continue sharing its sto- the rest of the year—see our season
ries and songs, we have adjusted our lineup included in this newsletter.
calendar of productions to maximize our Centre Stage values its relationship with
potential audience base in the fall and supporters like you, and as the organizaspring, much like other university venues. tion begins this latest evolution, I hope
In the meantime, we have a wonderful you will email me ([email protected]) with
lineup ahead of us this June. First we will any questions. I will be happy to respond.
present the Pulitzer Prize-winning musi- See you at the theatre,
cal Next To Normal in the Pavilion Theatre,
directed by Cary Libkin, and starring
Broadway veterans Ariela Morgenstern,
Asa Somers, and Raymond Sage. In addi- Dan Carter
tion, the Penn State Downtown Theatre Director, School of Theatre
Center will host our popular noontime Producing Artistic Director, Penn State
series of musical revues, “Broadway on Centre Stage
Allen,” and the Nu.Musicals Festival.
Patrons-Only Soirée
As a thank you for your upcoming 2014-15 contribution,
you are invited to enjoy a Penn State Centre Stage . . .
Patrons-Only Soirée
Friday, June 20
Penn State Downtown Theatre Center
Enjoy hors d’ouevres, wine, and evening entertainment
as we celebrate your loyalty and our upcoming season.
Reception begins at 6:30 p.m.
Show begins at 8:00 p.m.
Tickets to this Patrons Only event will be sent upon
receipt of your donation or pledge:
$500 and up = 2 tickets
$100–$499 = $50 per ticket
Make check payable to Penn State and mail to PSCS Soirèe, 116 Theatre Building, University Park, PA 16802
mainstage: Fall
Evenings 7:30 p.m. Matinees 2:00 p.m.
O Beautiful
O Beautiful, for spacious skies, for amber waves . . .
In our age of cyber-bullying and aggressive patriotism,
remember those lyrics—or else! Theresa Rebeck,
Broadway playwright and creator of the TV series Smash,
pens a theatrically inventive mash-up of contemporary
American life and the history that got us to this
politically polarized age. This show includes political,
social, and religious content that some will find
challenging, or maybe even offensive. Don’t miss it!
October 7–18
Playhouse Theatre
SPRING AWAKENING
Winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical
Spring Awakening explores the journey from
adolescence to adulthood with poignancy and passion
you will never forget. This electrifying fusion of
morality, sexuality, and rock and roll music is
exhilarating audiences like no other musical in years.
Partial nudity and mature subject matter.
November 4–18
Pavilion Theatre
THE MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT
Struggles with addiction, friendship, love, and the challenges
of adulthood.
Focusing on the challenges of recovery from addiction and
what he sees as a fundamental disconnect between men
and women, playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis spins a comic
tragedy out of a situation that would almost certainly be
described by one of his characters as totally f**ked. A
tough-minded, unromantically romantic comedy that
keeps you laughing, then sends you home thinking.
November 17–December 6
Penn State Downtown Theatre Center
Tickets: 814-863-0255 • 800-ARTS-TIX • www.theatre.psu.edu
What our stars are doing
from penn state to successful
careers! take a look at what our
grads are up to . . .
Patty Grabb
Patty graduated in 2006 with a B.A. in
stage management. After eight years of
traveling on eleven national tours,
Patty is thrilled to be making her
Broadway debut as the production
assistant/substitute stage manager for
The Cripple of Inishmaan, starring Daniel
Radcliffe!
Kira lace hawkins
Kira Lace Hawkins (’12 M.F.A. Acting)
garnered rave reviews in her performance as Sally Bowles in Cabaret at the
Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis as
part of its “Broadway Re-imagined”
Series. She is also currently an adjunct
faculty member at St. Olaf College
(where she received her B.A. in Music
and a B.A. in Theatre), teaching in the
Lyric Theatre Department.
marilyn mcintyre
Marilyn’s recent projects include an
independent feature, 30-Love, opposite Brenda Vaccaro, and her fourth
“Around-the-Clock” Play Festival at
Rogue Machine Theatre in Los Angeles. Currently she can be seen on the
short film festival circuit in Autism and
Cake, playing Ed Asner’s new “ladyfriend.” And finally, Ms McIntyre is
returning to Australia for the fourth
time to teach in the Melbourne branch
of the Howard Fine Acting Studio.
When she’s in Los Angeles, you can
find her at the Hollywood branch of
the HFA Studio. Visit www.MarilynMcIntyre.com for details on acting,
teaching, and coaching credits.
JESSIeE DATINO
natalie weiss
Natalie Weiss (‘07 B.F.A. Musical Theatre) made her incredibly successful
debut to a sold-out house at New
York City’s 54 Below on January 10,
2014. Designed by multiple Tony
Award-winners John Lee Beatty, Ken
Billington, Peter Hylenski, and Richard Lewis, 54 Below’s creative team
includes Tony Award-winner Scott
Wittman (Hairspray, Smash) as creative consultant, and MAC Award
winner Phil Geoffrey Bond as director of original programming.
Natalie’s hit series Breaking Down the
Riffs
was
picked
up
by
Broadwayworld.com and she is in
constant demand to teach masterclasses throughout the country.
Zachary miller
Jessiee (’09 M.F.A. Acting) recently played
Suzanne in Don’t Dress for Dinner at the
Arts Center of Costal Carolina, directed
by Russell Treyz. From the Beaufort
Gazette, “There’s more fun, too, when we
see the ‘cook’ (now Suzanne—who can’t
cook—pretending to be Suzette) cooking the sauce veloute and enjoying
more than her share of Cointreau.”
Zachary Miller (‘14 B.F.A. Musical
Theatre) won the 2014 Lotte Lenya
Emerging Artists Award and will be
performing with the acclaimed
Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (CLO) this
summer.
mainstage: Spring
Evenings 7:30 p.m. Matinees 2:00 p.m.
Avenue Q
The trials and tribulations of the people (and
puppets) in the neighborhood.
Winner of the Tony Triple Crown for Best Musical,
Best Score, and Best Book, Avenue Q is a laughout-loud musical that tells the timeless story of a
recent college grad who moves into a shabby
New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q.
Warning: This show may not be appropriate for
young children because it addresses issues like
sex, drinking, and surfing the web for porn.
February 18–28
Playhouse Theatre
DOGFIGHT
“They’re the dogs; no, they’re the slimes
who hurt nice girls for real nice times.”
Dogfight, a musical based on a 1991 film of the same
name, tells a tender and brutal tale of young people
meeting in a situation certain to end in heartbreak.
Following three young Marines on the eve of their
deployment to Vietnam in 1963, the show focuses on
Corporal Eddie Birdlace and Rose, an ungainly but
hopeful waitress he recruits in a callous competition
with his buddies. But Rose changes the way the game
is played in an unexpected story of innocence,
compassion, and new love.
April 1–11
Penn State Downtown Theatre Center
JULIUS CAESAR
The politics of assassination. . .
Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar tells the story of a
powerful dictator pulled down by “honorable
men” only to have the nation plunged into a
bloody civil war. Staged on the steps of Old Main,
this production will be set in a modern African
nation in order to draw parallels between the
political turmoil familiar to contemporary Africa
with that of the Roman Republic of 44 BC under
the dictatorship of Julius Caesar.
April 21–23
Old Main Lawn
Tickets: 814-863-0255 • 800-ARTS-TIX • www.theatre.psu.edu
More HOT NEWS
newsworthy. . .
Timothy McCarthy
GILBERT L. BAILEY III
keegan michael key
Yes, this is our man KeeganMichael Key (‘96 M.F.A. Acting) on
the cover of Time. And what great
timing! It was recently announced
that Keegan has been selected as
a 2014 Penn State Alumni Fellow.
He’ll be coming back to campus
this fall to collect a chunk of bronze
for the mantlepiece and interact
with current students. Congratulations, K-MK, we’re proud of you!
Tim McCarthy is on tour with
Cher and is in charge of all of the
automation and performer flying
routines in the show. Tim graduated with a B.F.A. in Technical
Direction in 2011. Nice work, Tim!
Gilbert (‘10 B.F.A. Musical Theatre)
recently signed his first Broadway
contract with The Book of Mormon.
Patrons may remember him from our
productions of Smokey Joe’s Café and
Five Guys Named Moe. Congrats Gilbert!
and on their way. . .
Nathan James
Robert W. Schneider
Nathan graduated in 2010 with an M.F.A. in Acting. While at Penn State, Nathan
was in several Penn State Centre Stage productions, including Brothers Size,
Romeo and Juliet, and Wait Until Dark. His one-man show, Growing Pains,
recently kicked off the Gene Frankel Theater Black History Month. Through
spoken word, poetry, monologue, and movement, Growing Pains takes a firsthand look at the mentalities and stereotypes of black males in Hip Hop culture.
It masterfully taps into our humanity by examining the influence of media and
upbringing over the way we view politics, beauty, each other, and most importantly, ourselves. Congrats Nathan!
Rob graduated in 2009 with an
M.F.A. in Musical Theatre Directing
and taught at Penn State for four
years before moving on. He is
currently the assistant director on
Sweeney Todd at the New York
Philharmonic with Emma Thompson, Audra McDonald, Christian
Borle, Philip Quast, and Jeff Blumenkrantz. He is also teaching
musical theatre performance at
Yale this spring.
2014–15 season
P E N N S T A T E
CentreStage
fall
spring Evenings 7:30 p.m. Matinees 2:00 p.m.
Evenings 7:30 p.m. Matinees 2:00 p.m.
February 18–28
October 7–18
Playhouse theatre
playhouse Theatre
O Beautiful
avenue q
Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx
Book by Jeff Whitty
Directed by Courtney Young
The trials and tribulations of the people (and puppets) in the neighborhood.
Winner of the Tony Triple Crown for Best Musical, Best Score, and Best
Book, Avenue Q is a laugh-out-loud musical that tells the timeless story
of a recent college grad who moves into a shabby New York apartment
all the way out on Avenue Q. Warning: This show may not be appropriate
for young children because it addresses issues like sex, drinking, and
surfing the web for porn.
By Theresa Rebeck
Directed by Dan Carter
O Beautiful, for spacious skies, for amber waves . . .
In our age of cyber-bullying and aggressive patriotism, remember those
lyrics—or else! Theresa Rebeck, Broadway playwright and creator of the
TV series Smash, pens a theatrically inventive mash-up of contemporary
American life and the history that got us to this politically polarized age.
This show includes political, social, and religious content that some will
find challenging, or maybe even offensive. Don’t miss it!
O Beautiful
MON
Tues
Matinee
Wed
Preview
Preview
Oct. 13
Oct. 7
Oct. 14
ThurS
Oct. 15
Oct. 9
Oct. 16
Fri
Oct. 10
Oct. 17
Sat
avenue q
Sat
Oct. 18
Oct. 11
Oct. 18
Feb. 23
Winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical
Spring Awakening explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood
with poignancy and passion you will never forget. This electrifying
fusion of morality, sexuality, and rock and roll music is exhilarating
audiences like no other musical in years. Partial nudity and mature
subject matter.
Spring awakening
Preview
Nov. 10
Nov. 17
Nov. 4
Nov. 11
Nov. 18
Matinee
Preview
Nov. 12
Nov. 6
Nov. 13
Fri
Sat
Sat
Nov. 7
Nov. 14
Nov. 8
Nov. 8
Evenings: $25 • Preview/Matinee: $18 • Penn State Student (with valid PSU ID): $12
Opening Night Nittany Lion Inn Dinner, Nov. 7: $45 (Does not include show ticket)
November 17–December 6
PEnn state downtown theatre center
Struggles with addiction, friendship, love,
and the challenges of adulthood.
Taking place in modern day New York City, The Motherf**ker with the
Hat is a dark and turbulent comedy about addiction, relationships,
and ultimately love.
The motherf**KEr with the hat
Wed
Dec. 2
Nov. 19
Dec. 3
Preview
Preview
Nov. 17
ThurS
Nov. 20
Dec. 4
Feb. 26
Feb. 21
Feb. 28
Feb. 21
Feb. 28
Music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Book by Peter Duchan
“They’re the dogs; no, they’re the slimes
Directed by Richard Roland
who hurt nice girls for real nice times.”
Dogfight, a musical based on a 1991 film of the same name, tells a tender
and brutal tale of young people meeting in a situation certain to end
in heartbreak. Following three young Marines on the eve of their
deployment to Vietnam in 1963, the show focuses on Corporal Eddie
Birdlace and Rose, an ungainly but hopeful waitress he recruits in a callous
competition with his buddies. But Rose changes the way the game is
played in an unexpected story of innocence, compassion, and new love.
dogfight
MON
Matinee
Tues
Wed
Fri
Dec. 5
Dec. 6
Fri
Sat
Sat
April 9
April 3
April 10
April 4
April 11
April 4
April 11
Preview
April 1
April 8
April 7
Evenings: $25 • Preview/Matinee: $18 • Penn State Student (with valid PSU ID): $12
Julius
Caesar
By William Shakespeare
The politics of assassination. . .
Directed by William Kelly
Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar tells the story of a powerful dictator pulled
down by “honorable men” only to have the nation plunged into a bloody
civil war. Staged on the steps of Old Main, this production will be set in
a modern African nation in order to draw parallels between the political
turmoil familiar to contemporary Africa with that of the Roman Republic
of 44 BC under the dictatorship of Julius Caesar.
Matinee
Sat
ThurS
Old main lawn
By Stephen Adly Guirgis
Directed by Steve Broadnax
Tues
Sat
Feb. 20
Feb. 27
April 21–23
the motherf**KEr
with the hat
MON
Sat
dogfight
(Cash bar at 5:00 p.m.; dinner at 5:30 p.m., in the Faculty Staff Club at the Nittany Lion Inn)
Fri
PEnn state downtown theatre center
Directed by Cary Libkin
ThurS
Feb. 24
Feb. 18
Feb. 25
ThurS
April 1–11
Spring
Awakening
Music by Duncan Sheik • Book and lyrics by Steven Sater
Wed
Wed
(Cash bar at 5:00 p.m.; dinner at 5:30 p.m., in the Faculty Staff Club at the Nittany Lion Inn)
Pavilion theatre
Tues
Matinee
Tues
Evenings: $25 • Preview/Matinee: $18 • Penn State Student (with valid PSU ID): $12
Opening Night Nittany Lion Inn Dinner, Feb. 20: $45 (Does not include show ticket)
November 4–18
MON
MON
Preview
Evenings: $18 • Preview/Matinee: $16 • Penn State Student (with valid PSU ID): $12
mainstage
Sat
Dec. 6
Evenings: $18 • Preview/Matinee: $16 • Penn State Student (with valid PSU ID): $12
julius caesar
MON
Matinee
Tues
Wed
ThurS
April 21
April 22
April 23
Fri
Sat
Sat
Free and open to the public.
Tickets: 814-863-0255 • 800-ARTS-TIX • www.theatre.psu.edu
Tickets: 814-863-0255 • 800-ARTS-TIX • www.theatre.psu.edu
ordering information
Season Subscriptions
Subscribe to 4 or more shows and save 10 percent!
Tickets must be purchased at one time. No other discounts apply.
• Free exchange privileges! Only subscribers can exchange their seats prior to the date they are holding free of
charge for another performance of the same show based on availability.
• Lost ticket insurance! We’ll replace lost or misplaced tickets at no additional charge right up to performance time.
Perfect for Groups
Save big when you see a preview or matinee priced 20–40 percent lower than the regular ticket price—
call 814-863-0255 today!
Or buy ten regular tickets at the same time (all to the same show or mix and match) and receive a
discount of 10 percent off ticket price. Tickets must be purchased as one transaction (does not apply to
previous sales or opening nights). For more information and ordering assistance, call 814-865-5340 or
800-278-7849.
Ticket Locations
Arts Ticket Center at Eisenhower Auditorium: M-F 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Penn State Tickets Downtown: M-F 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Bryce Jordan Center Ticket Window: M-F 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Summer); M-F 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Fall/Spring)
HUB Outlet (while Penn State classes are in session, fall and spring semesters): M-F 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Venues & Parking
Penn State Downtown Theatre Center
146 S. Allen St., State College
Playhouse Theatre, Theatre Building
(near Palmer Museum of Art)
University Park
Pavilion Theatre
Corner of Shortlidge and Curtin Roads
University Park
Parking for Penn State evening and weekend events is easy. Simply go to www.theatre.psu.
edu and click on the link for Parking. The link will open a Parking form that you can print and
send with payment to the University Parking Office.
The Parking Office will send you a permit that is valid in all regular faculty and staff parking
areas anytime after 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and all day Saturday and Sunday.
The permit will not be valid in any of the resident student parking areas, or spaces specifically reserved by signage. The evening/weekend permit is also not valid for events held at
the Bryce Jordan Center.
It’s that simple! Purchase your permit now for hassle-free parking when you attend an arts
performance, lecture, or special event. www.theatre.psu.edu.
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity,
and the diversity of its workforce. U.Ed.ARC 14-205.
Summer Events & Off Centre
It’s Back!
Free Summer Entertainment
Enjoy Broadway on Allen and our
Nu.Musical Theatre Festival in the
Woskob Family Gallery.
Day
Wed., May 28
Thurs., May 29
Fri., May 30
Wed., June 4
Thurs., June 5
Fri., June 6
Wed., June 11
Thurs., June 12
Fri., June 13
Fri., June 13
Wed., June 18
Thurs., June 19
Performance
Celebrate Sensation
Celebrate Sensation
Celebrate Sensation
New Sounds, Nu Voices
New Sounds, Nu Voices
New Sounds, Nu Voices
Gettin’ Out of Town
Gettin’ Out of Town
Gettin’ Out of Town
Cabaret/ Cabernet
NuMusical Theatre TBD
NuMusical Theatre TBD
Time
Noon
Noon
Noon
Noon
Noon
Noon
Noon Noon Noon 7 p.m.
7 p.m.
7 p.m.
Location
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Gallery
Themes:
Celebrate Sensation
The words and music of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt
New Sounds, Nu Voices
Songs from contemporary musical theatre
Gettin’ Outta Town
A musical roadtrip to a variety of places
www.psunewmusicals.psu.edu
Cabaret /Cabernet
Nu gnus musical revue
Off Centre
March 3–5
pavilion Theatre
Dance
Concert
University Dance Company is a pre-professional dance company that
provides an opportunity for students to work with faculty and guest
choreographers, as well as collaborate on group projects. The company
provides students with the experiences needed to pursue a career in
performance, choreography, or graduate studies in dance. UDC
performs annually on campus and at the American College Dance
Festival. The company has also performed at venues in Pittsburgh,
Philadelphia, and New York City.
www.dance.psu.edu
January 25–February 1
Downtown Theatre
Cultural
Conversations
Cultural Conversations, the only new works festival of its kind in the
country, is devoted to fostering and promoting new dance, visual
arts, and theatre pieces based on issues of local and global diversity.
The festival offers a forum for professional and student artists where
social issues can “play out” on a stage.
www.culturalconversations.psu.edu
Times vary
$3 at the door
Our Friends
Become a Patron
Penn State is home to one of the finest theatre training programs in the country. Our mission is to offer you a richer theatre
experience by inviting you to become a patron of Penn State Centre Stage. With your season contribution you can experience the
best of Broadway and beyond, gain free access to intimate student performances, and take a look behind the scenes.
About Penn State Centre Stage
• As the professional arm of the Penn State School of Theatre, Penn State Centre Stage serves as the mentoring program for young
theatre professionals embarking in the theatre business.
• Each production is produced from conception to completion at Penn State, utilizing skills mastered and taught by theatre faculty
and other industry professionals. As a result, Penn State’s School of Theatre is one of the very best programs in the United
States.
• The costs associated with producing professional theatre far exceed the price of admission. Major funding is provided by
corporate donations and the generosity of individual patrons.
• Your contributions make it possible to hire the actors, designers, choregraphers, directors, and technicians who augment the
resident company and make Penn State Centre Stage a truly “Professional Theatre.”
Your patronage will help us make all this possible while keeping ticket costs affordable, augmenting technical marvels, and
supporting visiting artists and educators who come to share their craft.
Please join us—become a Penn State Centre Stage patron today.
We believe that just as a performance does not exist without its audience, a theatre cannot exist without its community.
• You can make a tax-deductible donation to Penn State Centre Stage by including a gift with your ticket order, or by phoning
888-800-9163, or by visiting www.MakeADifference.psu.edu. Specify “Centre Stage” when you make a credit card gift by phone
or online. You can also mail a check to: Centre Stage/Penn State Annual Giving, 17 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802-1506.
Patron Levels
Friend $100 to $249
Playbill recognition
Benefactor $250 to $499
Above benefits, plus:
Name recognition in lobby
Supporter $500 to $999
Above benefits, plus:
4 regular show tickets
Performer $1,000 to $2,499
Playbill recognition
Name recognition in lobby
4 regular show tickets
2 opening night tickets
Director $2,500 to $4,999
Playbill recognition
Name recognition in lobby
6 regular show tickets
4 opening night tickets
Producer $5,000+
Playbill recognition
Name recognition in lobby
6 regular show tickets
6 opening night tickets
Endowment
Minimize your taxes and maximize your estate through
charitable gift planning. Call 888-800-9170 or visit www.
giftplanning.psu.edu.
Gift planning offers you the chance to give to Penn State
now or after your lifetime, helping you align your charitable
giving with your overall financial and estate plans. Many
giving options even offer you financial benefits, allowing
you to make the greatest impact on our students while
maintaining the future security of you and your loved ones.
Thank you for considering a gift to Penn State!
In-kind contributions receive the
same patron benefits!
Patrons-Only Soirée
As a thank you for your upcoming 2014-15 contribution,
you are invited to enjoy a Penn State Centre Stage
Patrons-Only Soirée
Friday, June 20
Penn State Downtown Theatre Center
Enjoy hors d’ouevres, wine, and evening entertainment
as we celebrate your loyalty and our upcoming season.
Reception begins at 6:30 p.m.
Show begins at 8:00 p.m.
Tickets to this Patrons Only event will be sent upon
receipt of your donation or pledge:
$500 and up = 2 tickets
$100–$499 = $50 per ticket
Make check payable to Penn State and mail to PSCS Soirèe, 116 Theatre Building, University Park, PA 16802
spotlight
Val Narehood
.: “I’m a proud Nittany Lion, and plan to be for many
years to come!”
I’ve been a theatre carpenter and technical director for almost twenty years, since earning my B.A. in
theatre at DeSales University. My background has been mostly in regional theatre, rather than other
areas of entertainment technology, because of my lifelong love of the art form.
I spent several seasons at Bristol Riverside Theatre, Berkshire Theatre Festival, and others, in
capacities ranging from carpenter to technical director, before choosing to pursue an M.F.A. in
theatre technology at Penn State. The opportunities to study automation and CAD drafting and the
study abroad programs in which I participated made a big difference in my professional development. There were, however, also personal considerations: I grew up in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, and
I’ve been a Nittany Lion fan since birth!
After grad school, I worked as assistant technical director at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park— in a
mostly drafting and office work capacity. I missed building and being on a shop floor, so I moved to the D.C.
metro area to work for Unlimited Scenery Studios, a commercial shop whose clients included Ford’s Theatre, the Kennedy Center,
and the Washington National Opera. When I was ready to settle down, coming home to Penn State was a natural choice. Not only
am I close to my family, but my work as a staff carpenter combines the best of everything I’ve always loved about the business—
building scenery, occasional technical direction, being a part of producing meaningful theatre, and especially, mentoring our
students at the beginning of their careers—particularly in the area of welding and metalworking, in which I’m a specialist. I’m a
proud Nittany Lion, and plan to be for many years to come!
John E. Geisz
.: “Over the years, we have had many excellent students in
the M.F.A. and B.F.A. technology programs. ”
I came to Penn State as a B.A. student in the Department of Theatre and Film in 1977.
The first college class I had was Theatre 100 with Helen Manfull. I still remember that class—what Helen
taught us still influences my work to this day. Other strong faculty influences on me included Anne
Gibson, Chuck Firmin, and Bill Kelly.
My first job after graduating from Penn State in 1981 was as a member of the house crew at the
Annenberg Center in Philadelphia. Following five years at the Annenberg Center, I went to the
American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge for a year. I then returned to Philadelphia, got married, and
pursued a freelance career in theatre. I worked principally in two places: Hopkinson Hall at the
International House of Philadelphia, where I was the lighting designer, and Quinlan Scenic Studios, where
I was a project foreman.
In 1996 my wife and I returned to State College and I accepted a staff carpenter job in the School of Theatre.
I worked as a staff carpenter for three years and then became the first faculty property master. My talents were better suited for the
scene shop, and, after two years in the prop shop, I returned to the scene shop as master carpenter.
Over the years, we have had many excellent students in the M.F.A. and B.F.A. technology programs. I have had the pleasure of some
of them becoming my colleagues. Notably, Jon Arras and Val Narehood both spent some time as fellow staff carpenters. Former grad
student Eric Rouse returned as faculty technical director and to head the M.F.A. technical direction program. I have also seen Richard
St. Clair return to Penn State to head the design programs in costuming. Recently, Bill Kelly has rejoined the theatre faculty after years
of running the Penn State Integrative Arts program.
Sadly, in my time here I have seen the passing of Del Boarts and recently Montez King. The School of Theatre was made better for
having these two dedicated individuals for so long, and I still look to them as role models guiding my own efforts as a staff member.