A New Audience: Performing for the Next Generation

Theatre has stood the test of time as being one of the most universal forms of entertainment. In our current climate, theatre continues to be important for entertainment, education, and the spreading of cultural elements.

The cast of Chicken Story Time rehearsing with their puppets. 

It is important for us as adults to be exposed to arts and theatre, but it may be even more important for the children in our community. Chicken Story Time, the summer presentation for EMU Theatre, is aimed at audiences aged 3-6. We were able to talk with director, Patricia Moore Zimmer, about the importance of Drama and Theatre for the Young. She said "Theatre is an antidote to the cultural pressures that say 'Quit fooling around and act your age.' Fooling around is essential to adult creativity! Every age needs play!" Dramatic play and imagination are nature's most powerful tools for teaching children. Chicken Story Time, "supports developing literacy through its focus on the pleasure of books and story time. It exposes the children to language and engages them in language...through its silliness and playfulness, it invites them to imagine and explore along with the actors." The ultimate appeal of theatre for young audiences is the joy that it brings, along with it's educational value. Zimmer says, "It never ceases to give me joy...children are the true experts at make-believe. They can enter imaginary worlds with a level of focus, commitment, and intense belief that equals that of the best actors...in the realm of 'what if' children are our peers; they are our mentors to be respected. They can also be the most wonderful of companions in the play that happens between actors and audience."

Patricia Moore Zimmer (director) and Alex Duncan (asst. director)  

It is not only by academics that the benefit of DTFY can be observed. EMU Theatre alum, and Associate Artistic Director at Spinning Dot Theatre Company, Tyler Calhoun was able to give us some insight into how theatre for the young benefits our community. "The plays we produce are all international, so for our young artists and audiences we are cultivating an interest in other countries and other coultures." says Calhoun. "This is very important because of what our country is going through with so much fear and hatred being directed toward people who are different than we are...the parents that come to see our shows really appreciate the work we do because it opens up a space for dialogue between them and their children to discuss these topics."

The performing artists involved in theatre for the young are also experiencing benefits of this unique form of art. "It always keeps me on my toes...kids are the most honest audience members. So when you are performing for them, you have to be honest, truthful, and absolutely in character...They will let you know when they don't believe, so you have to completely believe in yourself."
Drama and theatre for the young is a necessary part for the healthy development of young minds. We are so proud to be a part of a program, and a community, that is part of creating this movement.

Bridging the Gap: How Ancient Theatre Relates to the 21st Century

The Trojan Women may be a cetnuries old story, but it still resonates with a modern audience. Jennifer Graham-Felts has the opportunity to direct this production this year. She has been wanted to put this show on stage for six years, and we got the opportunity to talk to her about this project.

Ellen McLaughlin adapted this piece from a tragedy written over 2000 years ago. Eurpides tells the story of the women left to their own devices after the fall of the great city, Troy. We sat down with the director to talk about why this piece still hits home.

What makes you so passionate about this project? 

The Trojan Women first read through on November 11, 2017

"I have always found the universal, timeless messages in Greek theatre to be very moving. It is doubly exciting to see so many women represented on stage in this piece." 

What makes this play so special and important? 

"History is always told by the winners, but this play may be the first in history that was written with a sympathetic view of the loser in conflict." 

How do you think this play remains relevant in 2018? 

"There are many conflicts all over the world, in which we see women and children as refuges. They are forced out of their homes by their conquerors, because of the choices men have made. Although women have more rights than when this play was first produced in the 5th century BCE in Athens, we still see today that women, in the home, in the workplace and within society, tend to be at the mercy of men and the choices that are made for them." 

What do you want the audience to get out of this prodction?

Well, in true Greek fashion, I would like to see the audience experience a catharsis. I want them to think about the character's experiences, have some conversation, and ask some questions. I want the audience to be challenged by the material." 

Jennifer Graham-Felts is also our movement specialist for EMU Theatre. We also were able to talk to her about how movement factors into a piece such as this. 

How does being a movement specialist influence your directing style? 

" I tend to look at a piece from physical dynamics, rhythm of the body, and the language, balance, or being off balance. In this piece in particular, we are using elemental movement, such as fire, water, and air."

Jennifer Graham-Felts directs the cast of The Trojan Women. 

Do you think being a movement specialist gives you any advantages in directing? 

"I don't know if its an advantage, but I think I can handle moving large groups on people on stage quickly." 

Do you think this piece lends itself to doing unique things with movement? 

Certainly, because Greek Tragedy is larger than life and movement practic helps to heighten the acting. 

Getting this chance to sit and talk with Jen has allowed us to see how theatre touches us all, no matter what time we are in. There is a universality to theatre that is unmatched, and we are eagerly awaiting the presentation of this piece. 

Welcome to EMU Theatre Jackie Marlett!

Meet one of our newest EMU Theatre students

Jackie Marlett!

   Jackie Marlett is a new graduate of Woodhaven High School in Flat Rock, Michigan who is headed to EMU next month! Just like so many others, the last show she binged on Netflix was New Girl, "I love it!" she said with a smile. (We love Zooey Deschanel too Jackie.)

  She is planning on being involved in EMU Theatre, but she's taking her first year to get acclimated to college life. So far Jackie is undecided on a major, "I wanted to go through my first year and take the classes that everyone has to take (general education) and discover what interests I have in things outside of what I did in high school." When asked what she was most looking forward to when it comes to starting college she said, "Meeting the different people in the community and working with new people. You get so used to working with the same people and the same director from high school and I think it will be good to work with new people."

    Jackie had a lot of first-hand experience that informed her decision to attend EMU "When we were applying for classes I knew EMU had a good theatre program and educational program because I was interested in being a teacher. I also knew a lot of people here, alumni from Woodhaven, which was really cool!," she said. 

   She is excited to start experiencing the Arts Management side of theatre by working alongside our House Managers as an Usher in the Fall. She is looking forward to working in college theatre because "I'll be getting to do shows that aren't just PG. You get a better variety of shows in college." She's also very interested in the role that theatre plays in community dialogue, "I like the messages theatre can bring tot a community. You can tell a variety of different things to the community and there are so many aspects of theatre that people don't even know about! There's so much that goes into a show, it's very intricate."

   Jackie's favorite show is Hamilton by Lin Manuel Miranda. "I like how they mix hip hop and rap elements to bring more people into the story. It's history too so that's cool!," she said with a laugh. Her favorite shows that she has worked on are Once on this Island and The Insanity of Mary Girard. She explained, "I liked them both because it was an ensemble and we all worked together. I thought they both really exemplified strong ensemble work."

Welcome to EMU Theatre Molly Price!

  Meet one of our newest EMU Theatre students
Molly Price!

    Molly Price is  a recent graduate of Whitmer High School in Toledo, Ohio and she'll be attending EMU this fall! She'll be majoring in Communications and double minoring in Musical Theatre and Theatre Arts! When asked what she was most looking forward to when it comes to starting college she said, "I am looking forward to making new friends and expanding my education! "

   Molly visited EMU her freshman year of high school and it seems like the rest was history, "I love the atmosphere, the campus, the people, and of course the beautiful building that is Quirk!" She's also already gotten her feet wet in EMU Theatre by attending one of our scholarship auditions, "I loved meeting the other future EMU theatre students as well as the amazing professors!"

   "The thing I like most about theatre is the feeling you get when you perform," Molly's love for performing is inspired by being in front of an audience. She said, "I love being able to take people away from the real world for a couple hours and showing them a new reality. In the words of Lady Gaga- 'I live for the applause, applause, applause.' The feeling you get when you're performing is like none other. And it's the best adrenaline rush you can experience."

Her favorite show is The Rocky Horror Picture Show, "I mean, cmon. Tim Curry in high heels. What more can I say?" Nice choice Molly, we have to agree with you on those heels! Her favorite show that she's done was Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella where she played the title role. "It was seriously the best experience of my life and that show proved to me that dreams really do come true. I can't wait to see what dreams come true for me at EMU and in my future career in theatre!" We can't wait to see what EMU has in store for you either Molly! Have a wonderful rest of your summer!

Welcome to EMU Theatre Rebekah Preiss!

      Meet one of our newest EMU Theatre students
Rebekah Preiss!

    Rebekah Preiss is a recent graduate of Lutheran High School Westland and she'll be attending EMU this fall! She stopped by our office for some summer advising, so naturally we decided to interview her to get to know her a little better. 

   Rebekah will be majoring in Theatre Arts with a musical theatre minor. She decided to come to EMU because, "A lot of my friends were going here and I had also done solo and ensemble for MSVMA (Michigan School Vocal Music Association) here. I went to Drama Day last year and saw Little Shop of Horrors and got to chat with the cast afterward. I really like it here and I got a good vibe from everyone here-not too big and not too small, and the campus is beautiful!" The dance workshop led by our Musical Theatre professor Phil Simmons was her favorite workshop at Drama Day, "Usually I get nervous around groups that I don’t know very well, but I felt so comfortable there.

   She decided to pursue theatre in college because, "I enjoyed doing it in high school. At first I wanted to be a vet, but then I decided against it. I’m really good at this singing and acting thing so I said ‘let’s do it!' I just really enjoy doing this." Rebekah hasn't always been interested in theatre though, "I used to be shy so I hated theatre. I was afraid of making mistakes, but doing theatre made me realize that when you make a mistake it’s okay." Rebekah's favorite show is The Music Man. Her favorite show that she's been a part of is Footloose, which she is rehearsing right now with the Players Guild of Dearborn.  

  When asked what she is most looking forward to in college she said, “Lots of new faces, new people, independence and being responsible. Getting to walk around campus and seeing different people and trying new things every day.” We can't wait to see you in the fall Rebekah! 

 

   

August Wilson's Recipe for Success

“Well, actually, I didn’t start out with a grand idea. I wrote a play called Jitney! set in ’77 and a play called Fullerton Street that I set in ’41. Then I wrote Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which I set in ’27, and it was after I did that I said, ‘I’ve written three plays in three different decades, so why don’t I just continue to do that?’”

 Eastern Michigan University Theatre is gearing up for its next Mainstage production, "The Piano Lesson" by August Wilson. For those of you who don't know, August Wilson is an American playwright most famous for his Pittsburgh Cycle. Wilson was born on April 27, 1945 under the name Frederick August Kittel Jr. in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His Pittsburgh Cycle is a series of ten plays, nine of which are set in Pittsburgh, that chronicle the African American experience throughout each decade of the 20th century. It seems only fitting that he would write a series of plays that majorly focus on life in the city that he grew up in. "The Piano Lesson" fits into the cycle by depicting the African American experience during the 1930s. 

Wilson claimed to have been heavily influenced by the 'four B's.' These 'four B's' included: the blues, Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges, playwright Amiri Baraka and artist Romare Bearden. In a 1999 interview with The Paris Review Wilson discussed their influence on his work by saying, "From Borges, those wonderful gaucho stories from which I learned that you can be specific as to a time and place and culture and still have the work resonate with the universal themes of love, honor, duty, betrayal, etc. From Amiri Baraka, I learned that all art is political, although I don’t write political plays. From Romare Bearden I learned that the fullness and richness of everyday life can be rendered without compromise or sentimentality." The image to the right is a collage by Romare Bearden entitled The Piano Lesson and it helped inspire Wilson's play of the same name. 

"The Piano Lesson" was written in 1986. It premiered at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre in 1987 and appeared on Broadway in 1990 at the Walter Kerr Theatre. In 1990 the play was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play and won a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. August Wilson has been noted not for writing to a particular audience, but instead writing about the Black experience in America “And contained within that experience, because it is a human experience,” he said, “are all universalities.”

See August Wilson's "The Piano Lesson" come to life at Eastern Michigan University! You can see this powerful show Feb. 10-13 at 7pm and Feb. 13 & 14 at 2pm. 

 

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