Current News about the Saint Bernard’s Theatre Department
A Word from the Director--November
Hello!!! In two unbelievably short weeks the classic comedy Harvey hits the stage and boy, oh boy, it’s going to be a good one!! For those of you who do not know the story, Harvey deals with the Elwood P. Dowd and his relationship with his best friend Harvey. Who is Harvey? Well, Harvey is more of a what question than a who question. You see, Harvey is a six foot-three inch rabbit that just happens to be invisible. As you can gather, a six foot-three inch invisible rabbit is something that “normal” people might have a problem perceiving or accepting. Can you see where there might be hilarious hijinks and laughter-inducing misunderstandings? Don’t miss it!!!
A few quick things everyone must know about this momentous event. The production takes place on Wednesday, November 12th; Friday, November 14thth; and Saturday, November 15th. at 7:00 P.M. There will also be two performances on Sunday, November 16th at 2:00 and 7:00 P.M. All performances are held at Arlington High School. The tickets are $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for students.
A quick note about tickets, there is limited seating at Arlington High School; the theatre can only hold hundred or so. We will continue to sell tickets at the door, as usual, but if there is a specific performance that you really want to attend and you are worried about it selling out, just give me a call at school. The number is (651) 489-1338. Reserve a group of tickets and arrange a method of payment. We will then have the tickets waiting for you on performance night. It’s easy!!!!
Well, need to run because an invisible rabbit is whispering in my ear to do a million other things, but if you have any questions, feel free to call or just drop by!!! Looking forward to seeing you all at the end of November!!!
A Word from the Director -- September
The Saint Bernard’s theatre department is once again preparing for another boisterously exciting year of hilarity, hijinks, and happiness. So, what is the slate of plays for this upcoming year you ask? Well, are you shure you want to know? Of course, you want to know!!! Yiiippppeeeee!!!
To start, this fall we are performing the classic Pulitzer prize winning comedy Harvey!! For those of you not in the know, Harvey is an invisible six-a-half-foot rabbit who has decided to befriend one Elwood P. Dowd. These two dear friends travel throughout their town making friends and trying to encourage people to lead good, positive lives. Unfortunately, Elwood’s older sister and her relationship-desiring daughter do not know how to tolerate his idiosyncrasies. In a moment of frustration they try to have poor Elwood locked up at Chumley’s Rest, the local sanitarium. From that moment, hilarity ensues as the sister is mistaken as the crazy one, numerous couples begin to cozy up to one another, and a giant invisible rabbit goes on the prowl—can rabbits prowl?—to change peoples lives forever.
Auditions have already been held and boy, oh boy, this cast is a good one!!! Two former T-Birds are back for another production with Nick Tapio playing the role of Elwood B. Dowd and Mikey Anderson playing the role of Duane Wilson, the very rough and tumble, but filled with gushiness, attendant at Chumley’s Rest. Former Pink Lady, Sam Smith is playing the role of the very independent Nurse Kelly who happens to have fallen for, even though she does not want to admit it, the cute Dr. Sanderson, played by Sam Wilczyk. Other major roles are being filled by seniors Sam Kennelly, another reformed Pink Lady; Steven Dobihal, last years Deputy Judge Danforth in The Crucible; Jenny Aeling, a veteran of numerous productions; Becky Loftfield; and Brent Friendshuh. Along with these seniors, junior Anna Dupre and sophomore Jake Erickson will be gracing our stage with their unique acting talents.
Performances of Harvey will take place at Arlington High School November 12th through the 16th. Tickets will be sold at the door as usual, but due to limited seating, we will also be selling tickets in advance. More information on this new occurrence will be forth coming.
The winter production will once again be our ever-so-popular A Night of Comedy and Desserts VI which will be performed at the end of January and then in May, we will be performing the ever-popular musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers!!! Wow!!! This is going to be an amazing year of live theatre!!! Yippppeeeee!!! If you have any questions about the Saint Bernard’s Theatre Department or the creative students that make it go, please feel free to call me at (651) 489-1338 or send the director—that’s me—an e-mail.
Looking forward to seeing you at the theatre!!!!
Stovall
* The Saint Bernard’s Theatrical Season for 2008-2009 *
Harvey by Mary Chase
- Wednesday, November 12th; Friday, November 14thth; and Saturday, November 15th at 7:00 P.M.
- Sunday, November 16th at 2:00 and 7:00 P.M.
- All performances held at Arlington High School
- Adults $8.00 and Students $5:00
A Night of Comedy & Desserts VI ( Student-directed one act plays)
- Friday, January 23rd; and Saturday, January 24th at 7:00 P.M.
- Sunday, January 25th at 7:00 P.M.
- All performances held at the Mounds Theatre
- Adults $8.00 and Students $5:00
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
- Friday, May 15th; and Saturday, May 16th at 7:00 P.M.
- Sunday, May 17th at 2:00 and 7:00 P.M.
- All performances held at Roseville Area Middle School
- Adults $12.00 and Students $8.00
General Information on the Saint Bernard's Theatre Department
The Saint Bernard's Theatre Department is dedicated to providing high school students with the opportunity to create entertaining and challenging theatrical productions. This process not only exposes students to a valuable art form that provides them with new insights and perspectives on the world, but it also offers students the opportunity to strengthen essential skills. For example, by being part of the theatre, students improve their ability to communicate ideas in front of large groups, to critically analyze and discuss difficult texts and then make defensible decisions about the text, to critically analyze problematic situations and develop a workable solution to the problem, to develop a solid work ethic, and to increase creativity. Most importantly, the theatre department offers students a tolerant and accepting community that encourages them to explore their own individuality while learning necessary group skills and leadership responsibilities.
The Saint Bernard’s Theatre Department accomplishes this mandate through both a curricular and an extra-curricular program. The extra-curricular program consists of three productions a year: a drama or comedy in the fall, student-directed one-acts in the winter, and the spring musical. During these productions, students are encouraged to experience many different facets of theatre. They are provided with oppurtunities to work either behind the scenes building sets, collecting props, operating light and sound equipment or they can work on stage as an actor. Students also have the opportunity to work as a stage manager or as a student director on various productions. No matter which task or responsibility the student takes on, they become an important aspect of the production and a member of the theatre community.
Saint Bernard's also offers three different theatre classes: Introduction to Theatre, Acting, and Independent Theatre Production. The introduction course is an entertaining, exciting and informative exploration into the many different aspects of theatre. Concepts covered in class include basic theatre history, stage and costume design, lighting, sound, stagecraft, acting, script writing, and directing. It’s a delightful, whirlwind tour of the theatre, designed not only to increase students’ knowledge of the theatre and further develop their critical thinking skills, but also to improve their creative ability. The acting course is designed to strengthen the students acting abilities through a variety of challenging and fun activities. Students also learn some of the basic philosophies of acting, and ways of approaching this unique art form. The independent theatre course allows students to work as an integral part of the production team for one of the year’s productions.
