In The Director's Chair: Steel Magnolias

Professor Jill Lincoln* is responsible for bringing our next production to life, the comedy-drama Steel Magnolias, opening December 2. As you will see from the story below, this event is a unique experience for all involved.

To begin, one of the women who played "Shelby" in the original production is now directing at APU. Also, Prof. Lincoln had the opportunity to meet the story's author, Robert Harling, who told her all about his sister, whose life and death was the inspiration for Shelby's character.

This production has a particular poignance for Prof. Lincoln, as her sister has the exact same type of diabetes that Shelby had in the play. This influenced her direction as it is based on memories of the near death experiences her sister has had.

APU's production of Steel Magnolias is sure to bring about, in the words of Truvy, "laughter through tears ... my favorite emotion." You may purchase tickets to this show here or learn more about our 2010-2011 season productions here.

*Jill Lincoln, M.A., is an assistant professor in the Department of Theater, Film, and Television, where she instructs acting classes, on-camera classes, and directs productions such as the Hollywood Showcase and an original sitcom.

During the last twenty years, Lincoln has worked in regional theater, Broadway, film, and television, as well as instructed at several universities and schools. In addition, Lincoln co-founded and acted as artistic director of the Brennan/Gould Acting Studio in Los Angeles. Her mission is to train aspiring young artists in the techniques and skills needed to become transformational actors and better the future of American theater, film, and television.

"A Raisin in the Sun" Fun Facts

Are you ready for another week of “A Raisin In The Sun”? So that you enter the theater a little bit wiser, here are some facts about this Broadway standout:

* “A Raisin In The Sun” was the first play written by an African-American woman to be produced on Broadway, as well as the first Broadway play with an African-American director.

* The story of racial tension and the pursuit of the American dream in a Chicago neighborhood is loosely based on the experiences of the author’s family.

* The original Broadway cast featured such luminaries as Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee and Louis Gossett, Jr. A 2004 revival featuring Sean “Diddy” Combs, Phylicia Rashad and Audra McDonald garnered several acting Tony awards.

* The title of the play was taken from the poem “A Dream Deferred” by Langston Hughes. Listen to a recitation of the poem here: http://www.learner.org/catalog/extras/vvspot/video/hughes.html

Sources: wikipedia.org

This is an incredible experience you won’t want to miss.
Buy tickets TODAY for this week’s show: http://www.apu.edu/theater/tickets/
Learn more about the APU theater season here: http://www.apu.edu/theater/

See you at the show!!!

10 Questions with...Kendra Schneider

Interview with Kendra Schneider the Stage Manager for Evita

1) What would be your dream role? Tracey Turnblad from Hairspray


2) If there was a movie based on your life who would you pick to play YOU? (Laughs) Jeffrey Martinez…no…who would I have play me? Well, Meryl Streep could play anyone, but I would have to say Nikki Blonsky from Hairspray.


3) What inspires you? Lots of things inspire me. My mother inspires me to reach for any goal because she has made it happen for her own life. Even her faith in me inspires me to do more. My friends also inspire me to be a better person.


4) Hidden talents? I can make a three leaf clover with my tongue. I can also do a pretty good Stitch impression from Lilo & Stitch.

5) Do you have any phobias? I am really afraid of moths!



6) If you could be a superhero what would be your superpower? I always say I want the power to read people’s minds, but then I think that my life would be miserable. So, I think that I would want to be invisible. It would be cool to have a Harry Potter invisible cloak. Does that make me a creeper?



7) Mac or PC? Mac



8) If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life what would it be? Mac & Cheese. Velveeta and shells style.



9) Name two things you simply have to do in your lifetime: I would like to have a family and be a teacher at some point in my life.



10) What's the best advice anyone's ever given you? Never let your fear limit you in what you do. If it scares you, you should probably do it. I learned that from Bart McHenry.

Kendra Schneider is a Senior Theater Arts Major from Greeley, CO. Her previous APU credits include Antigone, Joe, Racing Demons and Archie and Emma. She also was Assistant Director/Stage Manager for the Night of One Acts (2009) and Makeup Artist for 42nd Street, Dancing at Lughnasa, The Music Man and Once Upon a Mattress. She will be making her directing debut this spring with The Most Massive Woman Wins in the One Act Play Festival.

Evita Opens October 1st, 2009, Get your Tickets at - www.apu.edu/theater or 626-815-5494.

Evita Fun Facts...

Evita will be taking over the APU Main Stage starting October 1st ... let's take a look at how this musical came to be.

1) Evita began as a concept album and gradually made its way to Broadway over a period of 2 years. It was a collaboration between legendary songwriters Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, also responsible for Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

2) The story follows Evita from the age of fifteen to thirty-three.

3) The original 1978 London production was directed by the renowed director Harold Prince.

4) Evita has been portrayed by such differing personalities as Patti LuPone, Elaine Page, and Madonna.

5) The Broadway premiere of this musical was located at ... The Broadway Theater.

6) Tim Rice became so fascinated by the person of Eva Peron that he eventually named hs first daughter after her.

Now it's YOUR chance to see this all for yourself as our production of Evita is running October 1-17. Tickets are available by calling (626) 815-5494 or by visiting www.apu.edu/theater.

See you at the show!

Sources: wikipedia.org and ibdb.com

Producer's Post - Sept. 2009

Last year was my first year as the producer of Theater, Film, and Television here at Azusa Pacific University, and everything just seemed to fly by. We spent a lot of time last year upgrading and renovating the theater while still producing a total of 8 shows.

This summer brought a very long and needed break. I spent a lot of time with my family while completing some smaller tasks around the office. For the most part, the office was empty this summer.

However, summer is over. Just like in the early morning of Time Square New York City, everything is starting to fill up here. Now that school has begun, people are in and out, and everything is underway for a great and wonderful year of theater and film. We have been rushing to get out all of our marketing out for this year as we are working with a wonderful new designer. Rehearsals are in full swing for our Fall shows, and our first show of the year is preparing to open in October. We hope you can all join us as we kick of the year with Evita opening October 1^st and playing until October 17^th. Please purchase tickets through our Felix Event Center Box Office by calling 626-815-5494 or www.apu.edu/theater.

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Jeff D. Martinez is the current producer of theater, film, and television here at Azusa Pacific University. He is a 2001 alumni of Azusa Pacific University and has a BA in Communications with an emphasis in media studies. Jeff is excited to bring his experience in working in various community and high school theaters and his expertise in being the founder, producer, and director of the Marmac Theater of San Gabriel Valley.