GRCC In the News, 6-12-13

Esteemed former Grand Rapids Civic Theatre managing director Paul Dreher has died

June 12, 2013; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Paul Dreher, former managing director of Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, died Tuesday after a brief illness. He was 80.

… In retirement, Dreher continued to direct shows and design lights for companies, including Circle Theatre, Jewish Theatre, Heritage Theatre, Grand Rapids Community College, Calvin College, Aquinas College as well as for Grand Rapids Civic Theatre.

GRCC accepting students for summer Fast Track program

June 12, 2013; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Grand Rapids Community College is accepting applications for a summer program that aims to help students bypass remedial courses and move into college-level classes.

‘So You Think You Can Dance’ finalists include Grand Rapids dance instructor

June 12, 2013; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Among the 33 dancers remaining on this season of “So You Think You Can Dance”, a reality dance competition that airs on FOX, one name may sound familiar. Markus Shields is a Grand Rapids dance instructor and choreographer from The Moving Company.
(Story doesn’t mention it, but Shields is a former GRCC student, according to his bio.)

Writer-director, GRCC alumnus Brian A. Miller to host workshop November 20

Writer-director Brian A. Miller, a Grand Rapids Community College alumnus, will host a workshop for filmmakers and actors on Tuesday, November 20, 2012, at Spectrum Theater.

Miller, whose films include “Caught in the Crossfire” and “House of the Rising Sun,”  will discuss the casting process and talk specifically about what actors can do to make themselves a marketable asset, how to nail the auditions, and book the job. He will also give insight into the film-making process, coverage and behind-the-scenes preparation.

Throughout the workshop – 6-9 p.m. in room 201 of the theater — actors will be put into mock auditions and filmmakers will work scenes from various features using blocking techniques for the camera.

Miller is an East Grand Rapids native working in Los Angeles. His third feature film, “Officer Down,” will be released by Anchor Bay in 2013. It stars James Woods, Stephen Dorff, Stephen Lang, David Boreanaz, Dominic Purcell, and Annalynne McCord. Miller just wrapped his fourth feature, “The Outsider,” which stars James Caan, Jason Patric, Jonny Messner, Shannon Elizabeth and British actor Craig Fairbrass.

The cost for the workshop is  $50 at the door and $20 for GRCC students and staff (with Raider ID). To register:  grfilmworkshop@yahoo.com

Open Call For Actor’s Theatre Living On The Edge 10-Min Play Festival

For the tenth straight year, Actors’ Theatre has announced an open call for submission from Michigan playwrights for its /Living On The Edge/ 10-minute play festival. The theme chosen to write on this year will be “Superstition” The deadline for script submissions is March 1, 2013.

From the initial submission, ten semi-finalists will be selected for a public reading, to be held in April of 2013. The reading of the fifteen scripts will be presented on a Saturday in April (Date/Time TBA) at Spectrum Theater.

At the public reading playwrights will receive verbal and written feedback on their piece. Based on audience response and feedback, the /Living on the Edge/ committee will choose five finalists to receive full production from June 6-8, 2013 in the Spectrum Theater Studio Theater (Room 201). Click here for more information and submission information.

GRCC Players present The Ladies Man By Charles Morey

Directed by Tom Kaechele, assistant directed by Elinor Frances, “Ladies Man” is a fast-paced French farce sure to have you laughing the night away. Join Spectrum Theater and this wonderful cast of GRCC Students for the opening of our 2012/2013 season November 1 – 3, 2012 at 8pm, Spectrum Theater. Cast includes: Nick Favreau, Micah Hazel, Kendra Jones, Tinsley Nulph, Aubrey Pierzchala, Jessi Towell, Kyle VanDyke & Brett Wiesenauer.

Call 234-3946 for tickets. GRCC Staff: $5, GRCC Students: $3

GRCC Well Represented at Grand Awards

The Grand Awards Ceremony took place this past Sunday, October 7 over at Civic Theatre. A great time was had by all in Grand Rapids Theatre and GRCC took home many awards.

Below is the list of our alums and employees that took home awards for GRCC Players and other community theatre.

Thank you for your continued support. We are so proud of GRCC’s theater program and our involvement in Grand Rapids community theatre.

And the award goes to…

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical

Rob Karel, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Civic Theatre) GRCC THEATER ALUM

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a College Production

Micah Hazel, T-Bone and Weasel (GRCC Players) GRCC THEATER STUDENT

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play

Amy Osborn Kaechele, See How They Run (Circle Theatre) GRCC THEATER ALUM

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical

Nancy Wagner, Cabaret (Circle Theatre) GRCC ADJUNCT THEATER FACULTY

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play

Dylan Harris, See How They Run (Circle Theatre) GRCC THEATER ALUM

Outstanding Lead Actor in a College Production

Kyle VanDyke, T-Bone and Weasel (GRCC Players) GRCC THEATER STUDENT

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play

Jean Reed Bahle, August: Osage County (Actors’ Theatre) GRJC ALUM, FORMER GRCC ADJUNCT FACULTY

Outstanding Direction of a Play

Fred Sebulske, August: Osage County (Actors’ Theatre) FORMER GRCC THEATER PROGRAM DIRECTOR & FACULTY

Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Fred Sebulske, Spring Awakening (Actors’ Theatre) FORMER GRCC THEATER PROGRAM DIRECTOR & FACULTY

Oustanding Direction of a College Production

Michelle Urbane, For Better (GRCC Players) GRCC THEATER ALUM/SPECTRUM THEATER STAFF

Outstanding Scenic Design

Christian Poquette, August: Osage County (Actors’ Theatre) SPECTRUM THEATER STAFF

Outstanding Choreography

Kyle Amanda Dutkiewicz, Spring Awakening (Actors’ Theater) GRCC THEATER ALUM & FORMER ACTORS’ THEATRE MANAGING DIRECTOR

Outstanding Play

August: Osage County (Actors’ Theatre) SPECTRUM THEATER PRODUCTION

Outstanding Musical

Spring Awakening (Actors’ Theatre) SPECTRUM THEATER PRODUCTION

Outstanding College Production

T-Bone and Weasel (GRCC Players) GRCC PRODUCTION

Last Three Performances of Nadia Tonight, Tomorrow and Saturday

GRCC students have a special new rate for all Actors’ Theatre productions:  $10 with student ID, including advance reservations.  This is a savings of $16 off the adult ticket prices.   Student RUSH seating for non-GRCC students begins at 1 hour before performances and is based on availability.

Check out the latest press release, video and reviews for Nadia

• Nadia Promo (YouTube)
• Nadia Photo Gallery (GR Press)
• Nadia at Actors’ Theatre
• Nadia: Debut of Erotic Theatrical Work that Transforms Everything (Rapid Growth Media)
• Actors’ Theatre production of ‘Nadia,’ about controversial artist, fits well with ArtPrize (GR Press)
• Actors’ Theatre connects with ArtPrize with a world premiere of a play that challenges how we view art (On-The-Town)
• Nadia Teaser (YouTube)

Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids 2 for 1 Ticket Offer for GRCC Employees on “Checking Out”

Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids is offering GRCC employees a 2-for-1 ticket promotion on their production of “CHECKING OUT” by Allen Swift

Show Dates: June 14, 16, 21 & 23 at 8pm; June 17 & 24 at 3pm

Allen Swift’s comedy centers on ninety-year-old Morris Applebaum, a retired Yiddish stage actor with a long and colorful career filled with rave reviews, adoring fans, and wild evenings. Since his wife’s death, however, life has felt diminished; so Morris has decided to “check out” by throwing a big party and then committing suicide. When news gets out of his plan to schedule and stage manage his own death, his three grown children race to New York, luggage in one hand and emotional baggage in the other, where they frantically try to dissuade Morris from implementing his plan.

Call 234-3946 to purchase 2 for 1 tickets. Tell the box office staff that you’re a GRCC Employee.  More information at www.jtgr.org

3D Design Art Students in Spectrum Theater – Photos

If by chance, you missed the 3D Design student art installation “Struggles from Within” in the Spectrum Theater: March 5th – March 19th, check out these pictures.

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The student artists: Meghan Armock, James Benko, Jerry Butler, Courtney Crofoot, Jasmine Graves, Jessica Harris, Leanna Honderd, Ken Humberstone, Jessica Jacobs, Amanda Johnson, Nicolette Looks, Katherine Patterson, Zach Runge, Anthony Schrot, Nikki Spagnuolo, and Professor Scott Garrard.

“Rust” Debut at GRCC’s Spectrum Theater Gets Attention in New York Times

The production of “Rust” by Grand Rapids’ Actor’s Theatre is attracting national attention from this feature in the New York Times:

End of the Line
By AUSTIN BUNN | New York Times | Published: January 6, 2012

In 2008, General Motors announced the closing of its metal-stamping plant in Wyoming, Mich., and 1,500 workers lost their jobs. Austin Bunn, a playwright and professor, chronicled the experience and what came after in a nonfiction play. Bunn, in collaboration with the Working Group Theater, spent two years trying to understand exactly what happened to the people and the town that relied on the factory. He recorded hundreds of hours of conversations with dozens of workers, managers, historians, bartenders, city consultants and others. Their words (edited and condensed for dramatic purposes) became the documentary play “Rust,” adapted here. (Some characters have had their names changed; one is a composite.) “Rust” had its premiere in Grand Rapids, Mich., in September. (More)

Make The Yuletide Gay A Benefit Cabaret – 12/18/11

Actor’s Theatre will feature “Make the Yuletide Gay” – a benefit cabaret featuring Ellie Frances & Rob Karel with Todd Wilkie at the Piano at the Spectrum Theatre (160 Fountain Street) on December 18, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.  Tickets are $15 Adults, $10 Student/Senior and all proceeds benefit The Fred and Mickey Sebulske Scholarship Fund, The GRCC Scholarship Fund, and The Combined Theatre Scholarship Fund.

For tickets and information, (616)234-3946 or visit atgr.org

Spectrum Theater Hosting ArtPrize Artist Christopher Hoyt

Theatre friend Laura Bailey had a fun time with her family at ArtPrize on Thursday evening! Check out Chistopher Hoyt’s “Mustache Yourself” ArtPrize entry. Laura posed behind her favorite mustache, and she and Kyle had their son Felix do the same! Come on over and give it a try during ArtPrize 2011 at Spectrum Theater! You’ll see this piece right when you walk in the main lobby doors on the windows of the foyer.

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Enjoy ArtPrize everyone!

GRCC Alum Daryl Bruischat Artwork on Display at Spectrum Theater

GRCC Alum Daryl Bruischat’s art “Not so fast” hangs at the Spectrum Theater. It ties in nicely with the upcoming Actors’ show RUST. You can probably understand why by looking at the piece. Stop by the theater and see both! Daryl’s piece will hang across from the box office through Sunday, October 9. RUST opens next week Thursday, September 29.