Spring 2011

CenterStage

Alfred University Division of Performing Arts

First play in the new Miller Theater

A Streetcar Named Desire

A great American classic makes a grand entrance onto a wonderful, contemporary stage. The AU Theatre Department

makes its debut in the Miller Theater with Tennessee William‟s masterpiece, A Streetcar Named Desire. No better

play could be chosen for Alfred University‟s new gem of a theatre. Considered by many to be the “finest play ever

written for the American Stage” (Thomas Adler), the Division of Performing Arts proudly presents A Streetcar

Named Desire, directed by AU faculty member Stephen Crosby, April 6th through 9th, Wednesday through Saturday.

A Streetcar Named Desire made an immediate and profound impact following its opening in Broadway‟s Barrymore

Theatre on December 3, 1947. That night Williams received a 30 minute standing ovation. It propelled Marlon Bran-

do who played Stanley into stardom, and it earned Jessica Tandy a Tony award for her portrayal of Blanche. Over

the next two years, it was performed 855 times. By its 50th anniversary, Streetcar had been seen by well over 20,000

audiences worldwide. Time magazine drama critic Louis Kronenberger claimed Streetcar was “the most creative new

play….the one that reveals the most talent, the one that attempts the most truth.” Playwright Robert E. Lee (Inherit

the Wind) said, “There are very few nearly perfect plays. Streetcar is one of them. It is indigenous to the speaking

theatre.” Since its wildly successful beginning, Streetcar has become one of the most performed American plays in

the world, powerfully affecting the way theatre of “realism” was to evolve over the decades that followed its opening,

both in the United States and beyond.

Volumes have been written about Streetcar and the clash between its leg-

endary, iconic and combative characters, Blanche DuBois and Stanley

Kowalski, dramatic personae riddled with ambiguities and contradictions.

This multi-layered creation of genius explores many complex themes and

social issues presented in the context of a truly compelling plot. Blanche

represents a fragment of the past, a remnant of the old and powerful aris-

tocratic South, whereas Stanley represents the new, powerful and virile

industrial South. These two conflicting forces provide the impetus for the

play. Williams masterfully weaves together a wide range of topics: sex,

violence and death; cleanliness vs. “dirtiness”; male dependency; light

vs. dark; fantasy vs. reality; fragility vs. power; escapism through alco-

holism; old vs. new. Most prevalent and vivid is “politics of gender and

sexuality,” as introduced in the play‟s title. Williams plunges into taboo

social subjects (especially so in the „40‟s) of nymphomania, homosexual-

ity and rampant desire. While Streetcar does not give clear answers, it

does present profound insight into the complexity of issues and contra-

dictions that are part of life and society. Set designer is Marketa Fantova. Student Margot James is costume de-

signer. Donald Fox from the University of Toledo is guest lighting de-

signer. Curtain time is 8 p.m. nightly. Tickets can be obtained by email-

ing performs@alfred.edu or calling 607-871-2828.

Student actors (from left) Anna Kowalczuk,

Jessica Antrobus and John Halmosky

rehearse a scene from the show.

A return visit of the popular

Susquehanna String Band

Back by popular demand, the Susquehanna String Band, a group of three educators/musicians dedicated to the pro-

motion and performance of American traditional music will be performing and teaching at AU. Known for their

highly entertaining and educational presentations and workshops, the group is comprised of Rick Bunting, John Kirk

and Dan Duggan. Rick Bunting, former chair of Music Education at Crane School of Music and Luanne Crosby‟s

opera workshop teacher at Fredonia, has long been recognized for his vocal renditions of Scottish airs and ballads.

Complimenting this great vocal tradition, Bunting excels instrumentally on banjo, lap dulcimer, concertina and flute.

John Kirk is recognized as one of the most versatile and

talented performers of traditional music, playing fiddle,

guitar, banjo, mandolin and vocals. His original song

“Long Roads” has been performed by the Dixie Chicks.

He has recorded with his wife Trish Miller as well as

solo albums and collaborations with the Susquehanna

String Band and others including The Charlie Daniels

Band.

Dan Duggan, nationally touring performer and teacher,

is rapidly being acknowledged as one of the finest dulci-

mer players and composers in the country. As recipient

of the prestigious National Hammered Dulcimer Cham-

pionship, Dan's accomplishment, though based on tech-

nical merit, is even more considerable as he is the first

winner to have performed all original compositions.

The three day residency will include lecture/demonstrations in American Music, Music Theory, Music Appreciation

and Fundamentals of Dance. The band will also present the Bergren Forum on Thursday, April 14 from noon to 1

p.m. in Nevins Theater. The combination of information and music is always a real treat.

You can also catch their performances at the Nancy Howe Auditorium at the Wellsville Library on Friday, April 15

at 7 p.m. and at the Alfred Seventh Day Baptist Church on Saturday, April 16 also at 7 p.m. What a great way to end

Hot Dog Day! All concerts are free and open to the public.

Jazz Band Concert: April 15

The Alfred University Jazz Band, under the direction of Dr. Chris Foster, is an impressive ensemble, now nineteen

members strong, consisting of some of the best musicians in the Alfred area. For years the AU Jazz Band has been

entertaining audiences with a commitment to quality performance and an exciting mix of jazz styles.

On Friday, April 15 at 8 p.m., the band will perform a concert featuring such classics as Benny Goodman's Sing, Sing,

Sing and Dave Brubeck's Blue Rondo a la Turk, contemporary works such as Gordon Goodwin's High Maintenance,

and even a wonderful arrangement of Stevie Wonder's Superstition!

Soloists for the band will include Clayton Morgan on trumpet, Brandon Rolling on trumpet, Jeff Colby on trombone,

Hunter Haddad on alto sax, Patrick Francia on tenor sax, Colby Charpentier on tenor sax, Scott DeFranco-Norton on

piano; Max Feeman on guitar, and Vicki Eaklor on drums.

Start the Hot Day Weekend out well with an evening of wonderful music! The concert is free.

Two Student Recitals

The two student recitals for the semester will be held on Sunday, April 10 in Howell Hall and Sunday, May 1 in the

Miller Theater. Both will start at 3 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Accompanist for both recitals is Laurel

Buckwalter. Performers for the April 10 recital will be singers Sara Egan, Ned Allen, Hope Barnum, Ryan Maggio,

Crystal Luk, Martin Wong, Kaitlin VanderWeide, Michaela Stone, Jasmine Hill, Keriann Bellamy, Christiana Allen,

Corissa Fanning, and Christina Young. The students are from the studios of Rebecca Weaver and Luanne Crosby. Performers for the May 1 recital will include Scott DeFranco-Norton performing a tuba concerto by Gregson and pia-

nists Victor Heung, Martin Wong, Xiang Li, Kevin Templeton, Rebecca Smith, Rebekah Robinson, Maxwell Wilkins

and Crystal Luk. Music will include works by Handel, Chopin, Kabalevsky and Glass, a Chinese popular love song

and an original composition by Wilkins. The students are from the studios of Laurel Buckwalter and Chris Foster.

Come support our student performers.

An Elizabethan Evening With the AU Chamber Singers It is that time of year again, when the AU Chamber Singers present an evening of music, food and fun. This year‟s

event on Saturday, March 26 begins at 7 p.m. and has an Old English theme. The singers, in costume, will perform

Elizabethan madrigals and songs of the era and monologues by The Bard and others. An Elizabethan Evening is a

fundraiser for a future international tour and will include a cash bar, appetizers and delectable desserts. (Please note,

that while there will be plenty of food, this is not a full dinner.) So come wine and dine while being serenaded by

the Chamber Singers.

Reservations are required. Tickets will be on sale in the Powell Campus Center the weeks of March 14-18 and

March 21-25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All reservations must be prepaid. The cost of the full evening‟s entertain-

ment is $35 per couple, $25 single or $125 for a full table of eight people. You can also make reservations by con-

tacting Kate Truini at KJT3@alfred.edu and sending a check made out to:

Alfred University

Chamber Singers

c/o Luanne Crosby

Performing Arts Division

Alfred University

Alfred, NY 14802.

Come and support these

fine singers and have a

wonderful evening!

The AU Division of Performing Arts

would like to recognize and thank

Lisa Lantz

for her six years of service as Chair of the Division of Performing Arts.

Lisa has expended an extraordinary amount of time and energy on behalf of the Division

with greatly increased duties due to the construction of the Miller Theater during her tenure.

Lisa has been granted a well-deserved yearlong sabbatical for next year.

Steve Crosby has agreed to a three year term as chair of the division.

AU Orchestra

Made in America Concert

The AU Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Lisa Lantz will share the

stage with the Wellsville Performing Arts Orchestra on Sunday evening, May 1 at 8

p.m. in Miller Theater. In celebration of the new theater, the theme is "Made in

America." The concert will feature music by American composers. An arrangement

of “American in Paris” by Gershwin, “Syncopated Clock” by Leroy Anderson and

“Appalachian Spring” by Copland are on the program, as well as a medley of Cole

Porter tunes. Senior Anna Kowalczuk, a theatre major and music minor (shown at

right), will be featured in two Broadway hits with the orchestra: “My Romance”

from Jumbo by Rodgers and Hart and “Make Believe” from Showboat by Kern and

Hammerstein.

Come enjoy the beautiful music as the Division of Performing Arts wraps up its

2010-2011 celebratory season in the beautiful Miller Theater!

Symphonic Band Concert

On Friday, April 29, at 8 p.m., the Alfred University Symphonic Band will perform a varied program of exciting

and beautiful music under the direction of Dr. Chris Foster. The AU Symphonic Band consists almost entirely of

AU students with a few community members and Alfred State College students. The quality of performances is al-

ways impressive! Audiences are consistently amazed by the ensemble's musicality, balance and intonation.

On this concert, the AU Symphonic Band will perform classic band works such as Incantation and Dance by John

Barnes Chance and October by Eric Whitacre and new works such as Elements by Brian Balmages. If you've never

been to an AU Symphonic Band concert, now is the time!

AU Chorus and Chamber Singers The Alfred University Chorus, Chamber Singers and the Alfred Volunteer Choir Company will present their spring

concert in the new Miller Theater on Friday, April 22 at 8 p.m. The concert will feature works by American and

British composers including William Billings, Ralph Vaughn Williams, Moses Hogan and more.

The Alfred Volunteer Choir Company, under the direction of Laurel Buckwalter, is comprised of the faculty and

community members of the University Chorus. These slightly older singers will perform the rousing spiritual “Soon

I Will Be Done” and the hauntingly beautiful, “My Love Walks in Velvet” by contemporary composer, Gwyneth

Walker.

The Chamber Singers under the direction of Luanne Crosby will set the mood for the concert by singing Elizabethan

madrigals (still fresh from their Elizabethan Evening on March 26) in the lobby. They then will join the larger choir

for “We Beheld Once Again the Stars,” a work for double choir by Z. Randall Stroope. The Chamber Singers will

continue their exploration of settings of “Sure on This Shining Night” by repeating a performance of the setting by

Morten Lauridsen and adding a new one by Stroope.

The concert will include everything from Colonial American music to spirituals, English folksongs and pieces made

popular by the TV series “Glee”. Please join us for an evening of wonderful choral music.

Congratulations

to our graduating

senior theatre majors!

Melanie Baker

Katie Barlow

Humberto Bonilla*

Tyler Cummins

Emily Dowd

Johnathan Hamolsky

Chris Hanretty

Ramona Kingsley*

Anna Kowalczuk

Dan Meltzer*

Javier Pritchard * December graduate

The Theatre Department is most proud of this outstanding class. Not only has it been the

largest group (eleven) of students to graduate in a single year, but it has been one of the strongest.

All have performed, designed or worked technically on every production produced by the depart-

ment since their arrival as freshmen. Significant accomplishments include many nominations for

the Region II Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Irene Ryan scholarships acting

competition, participating in three productions, two scenes and one Senior Project production

(Ramona Kingsley) featured at the regional festival. Also graduating are the co-presidents of Al-

fredian Dramatists, the highly active student theatre organization. The faculty are so very pleased

with these students for their accomplishments – most importantly achieving the goal of graduat-

ing. We will very much miss each one of them. Best of luck to them all!

From left, Melanie Baker, Katie Barlow, John Hamolsky, Anna Kowalczyk,

Justin Pietropaolo (almost a theatre major), Tyler Cummins, Chris Hanretty, Javier Pritchard.

Division of Performing Arts Non Profit Organization

Alfred University U. S. Postage Paid

Miller Performing Arts Center at Alfred, NY 14802 Saxon Drive Permit No. 5 Alfred, NY 14802

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