3 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
After years of preparation, Herman B Wells and William Metz' vision of a new theater and drama complex is finally complete. William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" is the perfect performance to debut the new venue and display its innovative features. \nThe cast of Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" delivered a stellar performance in the Wells-Metz Theatre Saturday. This particular rendition of Shakespeare's 16th-century play included a unique and creative twist. Instead of a 16th-century English town, the characters are placed in America at the turn of the 20th century. \nThe set was filled with patriotic symbols. Red, white and blue streamers hung from the balcony of a 26-foot façade (the main set piece) similar to those used in Shakespeare's conventional sets. In the opening scene, the men wore hats lined with red, white and blue ribbons, and the women danced across the stage waving flags as a patriotic tune played in the background. \nThis patriotic fervor was also evident in the costumes.\nApparently no cost was spared. From early 20th-century dresses, costumes for a masquerade and military uniforms to nightgowns and even a wedding dress, the play was certainly enhanced. \nA talented cast delivered the lighthearted and humorous nature of the Shakespearian comedy with energy and enthusiasm. The plot focused on four main characters -- two men and two women -- who, despite the scheming of both friends and foes, end up happily married. \nGeoff Wilson played the role of Benedick, a cocky, independent young man who believes women are not worth his time. His performance kept the audience roaring with laughter as he claimed the stage with witty monologues and hilarious gestures. \nMelissa Joy Nedell played Beatrice, a stubborn, intelligent girl who refuses to fall in love but eventually marries Benedick. Her performance is more than believable, and because of her mannerisms and delivery, even those not well-versed in Shakespeare could easily follow the plot. \nJessica Cannon and Nicholas Cacciola played the love-struck couple of Hero and Claudio, whose happy life together is almost ruined by an evil plot devised to defame Hero's purity. Nicholas portrayed Claudio quite well. His expressive and heart-felt delivery made it difficult for the audience not to empathize with his plight. \nJessica embodied the character of Hero as a soft-spoken and innocent young woman. Her delivery charmed the audience and evoked empathy, as well. \nAbdul-Khaliq Murtadha and Jose Antonio Garcia also delivered first-rate performances as the commander and his illegitimate brother, respectively. Murtadha held the audience's attention with his commanding voice and excellent presentation of his lines. Garcia's portrayal of the conniving Don John was fabulous. His character's evil intentions were perfectly relayed through his performance.\nThe Wells-Metz Theatre greatly enhanced the story line of the play. The seating arrangement allows audience members to enjoy an intimate performance in which the actors and actresses are practically right in front of them, providing a superior view for every patron.\nThe theater contains ground level seating as well as two balconies that each have one row of seating around the stage. The height of the theater provides exceptional sound and lighting quality. \nOverall, this performance was a perfect beginning for the next phase of theater at IU. The cast and crew provided an eager audience with more than an enjoyable afternoon but also a sense that it was part of a new tradition.
(03/27/02 4:07am)
Many children dream of becoming ballerinas as they dance in front of their bedroom mirrors in pink tutus and ballet slippers. For most of them, this dream amounts to only a happy memory as time goes on.\nBut some pursue their dream until it becomes a reality. IU is home to one of the finest ballet programs in the country. World-renowned dancers, such as Jacques and Virginia Cesbron, instruct ballerinas who desire to dance in the country's most famous companies. When dancers arrive here, they are challenged with an extremely rigorous schedule that demands early-morning classes and hours upon hours of ballet practice. \nIU's ballet program accepts only 15 students each year. Its reputation attracts dancers from all over the country, most of whom have been ballerinas the majority of their lives.\nSenior Amanda Callison has been dancing for 16 years. She was in last weekend's Spring Ballet production of "Daphnis et Chloe."\n"I had to wait several months before knowing that the dance department had accepted me," Callison said. "But there was no question about coming here when I got the call."\nA typical day for ballet students is very different from a day in the life of most other students at IU. Many students loathe the idea of an 8 a.m. class. After freshman year, they are generally avoided at all costs. Those majoring in ballet don't have any other option. They rise early in the morning and usually attend academic classes from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. Then they go to ballet technique classes until 1 p.m., enjoy a 30-minute lunch break, go to another ballet class until 2:30 and then attend rehearsals for upcoming performances until 5:45. Many of them also teach ballet classes and might not get home until late in the evening.\nBecky Erhart, a junior who performed in "Daphnis et Chloe," said her struggles to balance dance, schoolwork and her social life takes planning.\n"As far as schoolwork, I usually try to get ahead on the weekend when I am not dancing or else I use any breaks I have in rehearsals to get things done," she said. "Some of my closest friends are the people I dance with, so my time spent at ballet is also a social time."\nThough it is no easy task, these devoted students budget their time so, somehow, everything fits in.\n"Daphnis et Chloe," choreographed by the renowned dancer and choreographer Jacques Cesbron, was part of the spring repertoire for the ballet department. Cesbron has been an instructor at IU for 14 years. Before coming to IU, he danced with the Paris Opera Ballet and was an instructor for the Joffrey Ballet (now in Chicago) and the Dance Theater of Harlem. He was also awarded an Indiana Arts Commission Fellowship for Choreography for Carmina Burana.\nCesbron said he loves choreographing.\n"People know the music to many of the ballets," he said. "It is so wonderful to help them visualize it."\nHe said "Daphnis et Chloe" is a performance that many dance companies could not afford to produce. It requires an enormous orchestra, and the music is exceedingly difficult. He said IU is privileged to have access to such a gorgeous performing arts complex like the Musical Arts Center, as well as so many talented music students.\nAlmost all of the ballerinas will agree that the experience of dancing here has been worth it.\nAmanda Jesse, a senior performer in "Daphnis et Chloe," is one of them.\n"In a professional company," she said, "it would take years of understudying and waiting before I could perform what I get to dance here"
(02/15/02 5:52am)
After countless hours of practice and preparation, excited contestants for this year's IU Sing will finally see all of their hard work come together this weekend. Very few students can say they've been in the spotlight on the stage of the IU Auditorium, and all IU Sing participants agree it is an exhilarating experience -- one that will be treasured among the memories of their college careers.\nBut behind the costumes, makeup, music and comedy are those who have spent exhausting amounts of energy to make their shows unstoppable. \nAlmost every member of IU Sing agrees that it is a unique opportunity that brings the campus together.\n"Sororities, fraternities, dorms and so many other students get to work together with musical and theatrical aspects of IU that for the most part, many people are not involved with," emcee Kerry Kyle said.\nAmong the members of every cast are two song leaders who serve as the backbone for their individual acts. Although the selection process for these members is different for every group participating, most song leaders are either nominated and selected through a majority-rules vote or chosen through an application and interview process. Those participating in IU Sing who are in the greek system can choose to perform alone or be paired with another house.\nSong leader Justin Grant, a member of Delta Upsilon, said he is thrilled about this year's IU Sing. He and his partner, along with song leaders from Alpha Xi Delta, are confident that their show will be a great success. Last semester alone, they spent about four hours a week brainstorming, writing the script and discussing the logistics of their show. Once the practices started, the ambitious foursome worked about 14 to 16 hours a week, including two-hour rehearsals five nights a week.\nJackie Nykiel, song leader for Alpha Gamma Delta, said her house chose not to have a partner for this year's IU Sing. Her sorority does not mandate participation from new initiates or underclassmen. They encourage everyone to participate and feel that it fosters closer relationships between the girls. \n"We like doing it this way because the older girls come over to the house and they can develop close friendships with the younger members," she said.\nThey, too, have worked long hours preparing for this weekend's performance. Despite any stress or lack of sleep, she and her partner feel it has been worth it.\nIU Sing is not just an opportunity for students to showcase their talents, but is also a philanthropic opportunity. The IU Foundation supports IU Sing, as well as the Little 500 in the spring, and the money raised goes toward student scholarships.\n"The IU Foundation does so many good things for the campus," Grant said. "IU Sing is just one of the things they provide to add to the whole undergraduate experience." \nMany people do not realize that students not associated with fraternities, sororities and dorms participate in IU Sing. This year, Straight No Chaser, Ladies First, and seven emcees will be part of the event. The emcees hold a very unique and special role every year. They audition individually for a group of five or six IUSF steering committee members. They all said they are honored to be a part of such a popular event and will be singing solos, duets and performing as a group throughout the entire show.\nThe emcees also announce judges, specific parts of the show and give out some of the awards Saturday night.\n"I don't mind being really busy if it means presenting a successful production in the end," said Ryan Ahlwardt, one of the emcees. "Plus, performing in the IU Auditorium is an honor and a very memorable experience."\nThe emcees have been rehearsing individually and as a group since they were selected. The time commitment is extensive, but they all agree it has been a memorable experience.\n"I am fortunate to be a part of IU Sing where I can do this and work with people that are truly appreciative and encouraging," emcee Amber Dusak said.