Name Your Favorite '11-'12 EMU Theatre Moment!

Well it's been quite a journey since August, wouldn't you say? It all started at Fajita Fest when we worked the mobs of freshman, trying to get them pumped about EMU Theatre!

We were there for auditions and bumped into some typical theatre types...

The Theatre Clique

The Suck Up

 The Over-Enthused Freshman

After the cast list was posted, our students immediately got to work on Imaginary Invalid. Making 16th Century Theatre accessible to all audiences is not an easy task, friends, and takes a lot of practice.

But the hard work paid off and Invalid was a success! Many new faces were introduced to the program and the designers sure had a lot of fun with their wacky concepts.

Drama Day was a rip roarin' good time when high schools from all over Michigan came to take theatre workshop classes and watch Imaginary Invalid. Check out the video to see how Drama Day changes lives...

Then it was onto Go, Dog Go! which brought audiences in from out-of-state! Fans of this children's classic couldn't resist the opportunity to see it live at EMU Theatre!

We were able to creatively address the issue of sexual harassment with a double feature of Oleanna and How I Learned to Drive with our Lab Theatre Series. Student directed and produced, these performances led to many honest discussions about a "taboo" issue.

PHEW! We made it to Winter break! Most of us spent our time engulfing holiday treats and others prepared for our upcoming repertory series (while guzzling holiday treats). Dead Man's Cell Phone and No Child... played in rep as commentary on contemporary issues such as technology and public education.

This spun us right into our annual Student Written and Directed One Act Festival. We had quite an array of styles and topics covered in one evening for one low price!

Most recently, we successfully revived an American Musical Theatre Classic EMU Theatre style! Guys and Dolls opened April 13 and left audiences with a pep in their step and songs in their head.

And in the meantime...we created a webseries! Inside the EMU Actor's Studio interviews actors, designers, and directors about the upcoming shows. Check out some of our favorites!

 

Now, don't be sad. You think we're just going to disappear in the Summer? Well, we're not! Broadway's longest running comedy, The 39 Steps by Alfred Hitchcock is coming to EMU Theatre this June. Good luck with the rest of your finals...AH HEM!...We mean...Break legs on your finals. AND CONGRATS TO OUR GRADUATES!  Kylie, SVA, Sarah Leahy, Millhouse, Emily Tipton, Clarkso, Craig, and Betty!

Stay connected over the summer!

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Watch the rest of our Youtube videos.

No Question, No Boundaries, No Reason, No Child...

No question...

...that action can create timeless ripple effects.

EMU Theatre offers the opportunity to encounter Miss Nilaja Sun in No Child... (Feb 9, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19). Originally performed as a one woman show, Miss Nilaja Sun developed her true story into a theatrical production that continues to inspire teachers, students, and anyone who has ever put their foot down.  Miss Sun faced day-to-day challenges as a teacher in the Bronx. But she believed in correcting the faults and standing up for what is right. 

No boundaries...

...when it comes to your ideals, your thoughts, and your courage.

Based on African American Theatre Initiatives, Wallace Bridges (director of No Child...) creates opportunities for African American theatre students and audiences. Bridges recalls a time in his adolescence when teachers and mentors provided him opportunities, as an African American actor. He strives to provide our students and audiences with the chance to participate in performances from the African American community. Similar Bridges, Miss Sun wants what is truly best for her students and ferociously takes steps towards progression.

No reason...

...to hide a crooked structure. 

Bridges discussed the potentially "offensive" language in the production. "There is a lot of swearing," he said. "But it's there as a message."  As soon as Miss Sun begins interacting with her new students, she takes notice of their outlandish use of language. Other teachers brush it off, settle for "They'll never stop doing it no matter how hard you try", and do not support a co-worker's reach for excellence. Similar to Miss Sun, Bridges directly addresses issues in the African American Theatre Community not by wishing , but with high quality and honest productions for the Black Community. (But UNLIKE Miss Sun, Bridges said, "My initiative is supported by faculty." Woo!)

No Child...

...opens Feb 9 and runs through Feb 19 in rep with Dead Man's Cell Phone. 

Miss Nilaja Sun's actions as a teacher continues to spark perseverance. Attention from past educators of Wallace Bridges continue to fuel his passion for initiatives today. No Child... is a story for anyone who needs a little motivation. Join us in our intimate space, The Sponberg Theatre, leave inspired, and pass it along...

Purchase tickets here!

REPresenting at EMU Theatre

When you think of the month of February, what comes to mind? Chocolates? Crummy Weather? Heartache? For us at EMU Theatre, we think of Repertory Theatre!

Next Friday (Feb. 3) will kick off our 3-week run of contemporary theatre. Productions include Dead Man's Cell Phone by Sarah Ruhl and No Child... by Nilaja Sun. What exactly is repertory theatre? Usually it is identified as a series of productions performed around the same time that share a similar theme. In this case, the theme is social commentary.

Dead Man's Cell Phone is a dark romantic comedy by top contemporary playwright, Sarah Ruhl. The story explores the intrinsic dilemmas imposed on our society by cell phones.

"Sometimes I like to disapear. But it's like, when everyone has their phone on, no one is there. It's like we're all disappearing the more we're there..."

Check out our video or read another blog to get more info on Dead Man's Cell Phone (Feb 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 16)!

No Child... by Nilaja Sun is originally a one-woman-show. Our production features several EMU Theatre students playing multiple characters! This story follows one determined teacher as she desperately works to change the lives of her students through the arts.

"...And the show did go on. A show that sparked a mini-revolution in the hearts of everyone in that auditorium. Sure, some crucial lines were fumbled, and some entrances missed and three cell phones went off in the audience. But, my God, if those kids weren't a success."

No Child... opens the week after Dead Man's Cell Phone. This story is sure to inspire students, teachers, and anyone who's had the odds stacked against them. At a time when certain elements of the American education system are coming into question - No Child... is an essential theatre experience to be shared. Stay tuned for more info about this production!

So what are you waiting for? Tickets are going fast! Get yours HERE!