How I Spent My Summer Vacation . . .

Remember when your first back-to-school assignment was to write an essay on how you spent our summer vacation? While our homework may be a bit more complex these days (that's an understatement!), we still enjoy reflecting on those few precious months we spend between semesters.  We asked four of our second-year graduate students to tell us about their summer vacation. From Dublin to Princeton to Philadelphia, they all seemed to dive right into their experiences in the professional world.

Lauren Fanslau was awarded a grant by the Villanova-Abbey Theatre Exchange to work at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, Ireland for two months over the summer. She worked in four different departments: Casting, Community/Education, Voice, and Props, along with designing workshops to coincide with the ongoing Abbey season.

LAUREN: In short, my dream came true this summer. I traveled to a country that had been on my radar for years but always seemed completely out of reach. I worked for what is arguably the most significant and influential theatre in Ireland. In two short months, I absorbed as much of the Irish culture as I possibly could and I quickly realized that this visit would radically change me, both as a person and as an artist. I entered many a pub by myself and heard more life-stories than I can count... including, but not limited to, an older gentleman who pulled up his shirt to show me his scars from disarming bombs in Belfast! However, the traditional music was what made me feel like I had truly arrived. It was EVERYWHERE and had (still has) a profound effect on me.

My main take-away from the Abbey an awareness of the bigger picture that these practitioners possessed. It wasn't just about the current production, about budget, about selling tickets. I saw, in the people I worked alongside, an ability and a continuous effort to do something bigger than themselves. Every one of my "bosses" displayed this obsessive dedication and, in effect, provided an incredibly encouraging work environment. In particular, the Director of the Abbey, Fiach Mac Conghail, constantly articulated how certain choices impacted the larger community; not just season subscribers. I was able to see firsthand how big theatre can be, how much of an impact it can have on a person, and how important my work as a theatre artist and educator needs to be. My goal for my second and final year in the Villanova Theatre MA program is to bring that kind of awareness, accountability, and passion to my work. As a direct result of the experiences with the Villanova-Abbey Theatre Exchange, I am currently looking to return to Ireland after completing my Master's degree in hopes of working in the Dublin theatre scene and / or pursuing a PhD in Irish Theatre Studies. I have no doubt that this much-too-brief trip to Ireland and the people, culture, and history that I encountered will shape my post-graduate path.
 

 

Emily Poworoznek spent time throughout July and August as the Summer Marketing Intern at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, NJ. McCarter Theatre is one of the top theatres in the country having won the Tony Award in 1994 for Best Regional Theatre.

EMILY: Every year I sit down to watch the Tony Awards in awe of every moment: What it means to be invited. What will Neil Patrick Harris do? Which shows will win? This year, just like every other, I sat down and watched, but something was different. As I was watching, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike won the award for Best Play and Emily Mann took the stage to accept the award for McCarter Theatre. Alone in my house I screamed, “THAT’S WHERE I’M INTERNING!”  

Click here to see the McCarter win their well-deserved awards!

Princeton, NJ is my hometown.  I have grown up with this theatre - going to performances of A Christmas Carol or the Nutcracker every holiday season - and I was thrilled to finally be a part of the McCarter family. What I appreciated the most was that the tasks I was completing were integral to the functioning of the organization. I was made sure bills were paid for the marketing department, invoiced playbill advertisers, and controlled the ticket donation programs. I created a social media marketing plan and wrote outreach letters to McCarter patrons about the upcoming season.  I felt I was a part of the office culture - never like an intern. It was a summer I will never forget. 

 

Polly Edelstein was a busy multi-tasker this summer. Along with completing a class for the Certificate in Non-Profit Management, she served as an instructor, intern, and producer in various organizations all over Philadelphia.

 

POLLY: I don't know if I stopped moving this whole summer  - but the experiences I was lucky enough to have made it all worth it!  First and foremost, I spent my third summer as an instructor for Theatre Horizon's Drama Camp, while also acting as an instructor for various other camps throughout the summer, including Kathy Wickline's Little Stars (with fellow Villanovan Liz Marafino!) and the Darlington Arts Center, teaching subjects that varied from song-writing to cultural theatre.  Teaching is a constant learning experience; I learned that children are sometimes able to comprehend things that adults can't even understand!  I was also lucky enough to intern with International Ballet Classique, specializing in Social Media, which sharpened and honed my marketing skills.

However, my favorite thing I did this summer was directing 4PLAY, a compilation of short plays that will be showcased in the Philadelphia Fringe Festival! All of the plays are written by women and feature a very talented ensemble of actors. Working with my actors and the Fringe staff has been an exhausting yet rewarding process.  I experienced all the nuts-and-bolts work of producing a play, administrative and artistic.  I am beyond excited to see our hard work come to fruition this week!

Click here for ticket information for 4PLAY!

 

Megan Diehl received the Graduate Student Summer Research Fellowship through Villanova to pursue her research in Dramaturgy and Theater Administration. Conducting her research while in residence at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival in Center Valley, PA she served as the Dramaturgy and Literary Assistant from May through August.

 

MEGAN: What initially excited me most about working with the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival this summer was the opportunity to experience how everything I was learning in the classroom would translate to a professional atmosphere. I’ve worked at PSF for quite a few seasons in many different capacities, but I was anxious to bring all of my painstakingly hard work from weekly assignments and apply it to a rehearsal room full of actors, a meeting with a director, or a pre-show or post-show chat with the audience. Not only was the work incredibly informative, but it also confirmed what I hold as the best description for the dramaturg’s work: Dramaturgy is not simply a job, it’s a function. 

In the first week of our season, Patrick Mulcahy, PSF’s artistic director, shared with the company that, for him, theater remains relevant and fresh because of the connection that it offers the audience. This idea resonated with me for the rest of the summer as it echoes a lot of what the dramaturg’s function becomes: forming connections. A connection between the past and present, a connection between the director and the actors, a connection between the stage and the audience, a connection between the playwright’s words and the final production. As a dramaturg and an administrator, being a catalyst for that kind of work was incredibly fulfilling, a feeling I hope to chase during the rest of my time at Villanova and throughout my whole career.

 

Congrats to all of our students for making such a splash this summer!

Down 'n' Dirty with Bertie

Hi everybody!

My name is Carrie Chapter, and I'm the dramaturg for Villanova Theatre's production of Mother Courage. What the heck is a dramaturg, you say? Well, a dramaturg is someone who spends a lot of time on the internet and in the library....but is also a theatre nerd! So, a dramaturg (or the family-friendly synonym "literary manager") works on all the research required for a production, and then some. The job description is a bit fuzzy, but all you really need to know about me is that I'm here on the blog to answer any questions you might have about the play, and also to give you the inside scoop on all things Brecht. Because there is soooo much information needed for a play like this, I'll be posting a lot of random stuff on the blog. It would range from fun facts on Brecht the man to cool-looking past productions to some links to YouTube videos on war footage and political cartoons.

Let's start with this Bertolt Brecht guy. Anything you've heard about him (if you have heard of him) is pretty pretentious, right? He is hailed as a god among mere mortals in theatre history, simply because he did something that most contemporary artists to today: in order to draw attention to his art, he broke the rules.

But, in my opinion, his personal life is just as freaky and fascinating as his work.

1.) Brecht had more lovers than he had fingers. He was married twice, but was always unfaithful. There are all kinds of rumors about possible illegitimate baby Brechts floating around, as well as some weird attitudes Brecht himself had about women and pregnancy. Apparently, he applauded his lovers if they became pregnant,because it meant his progeny would "flourish" (he was extremely self-centered). Of course, it's one thing to want a child, but raising it....Brecht liked the idea but struggled with fatherhood. He had one known illegitimate son named Frank, who spent his life bouncing around foster homes and who eventually died fighting in World War II. But, there are several reports of his mistresses having miscarriages and even abortions (his first wife, Marianne Zoff, aborted Brecht's 2nd child; Brecht was having an affair at the time with his future SECOND wife, Helene Weigel *the most famous and original Mother Courage).

2.) Brecht was a very jealous man. Although his women were well aware of his other lovers, they were forbidden by Brecht to see other men. One of his lovers left Brecht to marry another man, and Brecht followed her, barricaded her in her room, and refused to leave her bed until she came back with him. He stayed for three days, and he won back his lady. He did these things not for true love (while he was doing all this, he had 2 other lovers waiting for his return), but because he felt as if he was losing something that BELONGED to him. Crazy, huh?

3.) Helene Weigel, the original Mother Courage and Brecht's "rock", was an unbelievably strong woman...and Brecht knew that. She knew all about his affairs, but instead of leaving him, she would invite the mistresses into their homes in order to create some twisted family unit - all to make Brecht happy. Despite it all, Brecht refused to divorce Weigel; he needed her too much. She eventually took over control of Brecht's Berliner Ensemble theatre company when he became too sick or too busy with other projects. In dealing with a man as difficult as Brecht, she had to become Mother Courage, in a sense.

4.) Brecht has said (supposedly) that his most beloved companion was not a woman, but rather his dog. A German shepherd named Rolf. :)

* If you have time or Netflix, check out this 2000 German film, which talks about the end of Brecht's life in a semi-factual way. The actors playing his mistresses look EXACTLY like the real women, it's scary. It's called "The Farewell." Here is a link with more information about the movie:

http://www.prairienet.org/ejahiel/abschied.htm

Turning nothing into everything.

Our set, props, and costumes assistants have amazing stores of creativity. Don't believe me? Check out our photos from today's set and costume progress. When our audience walks through the doors, they'll see a stunning finished product. Before that can happen, though, there are hours upon hours of work to be done.

Even when you know how many magicians it takes, it's still a pretty cool trick.
m.d.

Mother Courage is Coming to Town

Mother Courage and Her Children will be on stage for two separate weeks, November 13-18 and November 27-December 2. (There's a break in there for Thanksgiving.)

The official blurb for Mother Courage (commonly nicknamed around here as "MoCo") goes like this:

"In Brecht's epic masterpiece, a war rages on while the worldly-wise Mother Courage seeks her fortune selling goods to the soldiers. But the war exacts a price - as war always does - and Mother Courage's soaring profits are tempered by searing loss. First performed in 1941, Mother Courage remains deeply moving and powerfully relevant. "

It's true, too. Mother Courage hasn't lost any of its power over the years. It still makes you think critically about the effect of war on communities, families, and individuals. It still makes you wonder who's benefiting from the violence. It still makes you view attitudes about war from a new perspective. I promise, you'll leave Vasey Hall with plenty to think and talk about.

m.d.

A New Blog, A New Forum!

Welcome to Villanova Theatre's brand new blog!

We'll be posting information about upcoming shows, like rehearsal photos, set and costume designs, and background information that will let our audiences get a glimpse of all the millions of things that happen backstage.

Our first set of posts will be about our upcoming production of Mother Courage and Her Children, Bertolt Brecht's powerful drama that details the intersection of conflict and commerce - and the resulting effect on the lives of individuals.

Please check in with us often, and participate in the conversation!

Talk to you soon ...
meg

Meg Devine
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Villanova Theatre