CAMP BEGINS IN ONE WEEK

Renaissance Theatre camp, a 2 week intensive theatre training event, will begin on August 1st on campus at the newly named Bethel University. All of the theatre students will arrive and move into their dorms and apartments on Saturday morning and camp activities will begin that afternoon. Camp involves acting exercises, technical theatre, improvisation, and performance opportunities for the 46 students in the Renaissance Theatre program.

This year's camp will include some new experiences for our students including a 24 hour theatre event, intensive make up workshops, and technicial theatre workshops. The 2 week camp will culminate with our 2nd annual 10 minute play festival. Eleven student directors have been chosen to cast and direct a short 10 minute play. These plays will be presented on the evenings of August 15th and 16th at the Bethel Performing Arts Center in McKenzie. This year, awards will be given for best actor, best actress, best supporting actor/actress, and best overall play. Admission is free to the public.

Renaissance Theatre Announces Fall 2009 Shows

The Renaissance Theatre program at Bethel College has confirmed the shows for the Fall of 2009. The first production will be the endearing and comic play “The Curious Savage” by John Patrick. This play tells the story of the wealthy widow Mrs. Ethel Savage, who has been placed in a sanatorium by her children, determined to get a piece of the wealth that she possesses. While there, Mrs. Savage meets a cast of delightfully odd characters who show her the true value of wealth and happiness. This family comedy reminds us of the virtues of kindness, humility, and generosity that seem lost in a world that is driven by greed and dishonesty. “The Curious Savage” will be performed at the Bethel Performing Arts Center in McKenzie on September 24-27. Thursday through Saturday shows will take place at 7:00 pm, while the Sunday performance will be at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under and will be available soon. “The Curious Savage” is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service.

Renaissance Theatre is also delighted to present the musical experience “Some Enchanted Evening: The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein.” Join us as we celebrate the music of Broadway’s greatest writing team and hear your favorite songs from classic Broadway shows including THE SOUND OF MUSIC, SOUTH PACIFIC, OKLAHOMA!, THE KING AND I, CAROUSEL, and many others. This high energy musical revue will feature fantastic singers and dancers performing some of the most famous songs ever to be sung on stage and screen. You will not want to miss this special event! “Some Enchanted Evening” will be performed on November 5-8 at the Bethel Performing Arts Center. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening performances will take place at 7:00 pm, with matinees scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults, and $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets will go on sale in October and group rates are available. “Some Enchanted Evening: The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein” is presented through special arrangement with R & H Theatrical: www.rnhtheatricals.com.

For information on the Renaissance program, check us out on the Bethel website at www.bethel-college.edu or check our blog www.renaissancetheatre.blogspot.com. You can also call our office at 731-352-6445 or 6414.

Summer Break is here!

Everyone is packing suitcases and boxes and preparing to move back home for the summer. It's been a great year and our Renaissance Theatre students are finishing their exams and wrapping up another year. Of course, the biggest question being asked right now is, "what shows are we doing next year?" I wish I had some concrete answers to that question, but due to calendaring issues and schedule conflicts, we are still working through what would be the best option for next year.

I will post that information as soon as it is available!

I hope you all have a great summer and are ready for next year!

Performing Arts camp begins on August 1st. See you there!

The end of a great year!

The school year is just about over and we are proud to announce that this was our most successful year yet! Our three major performances "God's Favorite" in September of 2008, "Bye Bye Birdie" in November of 2008, and "DISNEY's Beauty and the Beast" in March/April of 2009 were seen by a total of over 4500 people!!! We had a very full year and are excited about our shows and activities for the upcoming year. If you are interested in finding out more about Renaissance Theatre, please call our office at 731-352-6414.

Beauty and the Beast Cast list

Thank you all for your hard work, preparation, and EXCELLENT auditions. This was the most difficult casting yet. I am proud of you.

If you choose not to accept your part, please notify by email at hillb@bethel-college.edu.

Beauty and the Beast Cast List:

Belle – Cayley Thompson

Beast – Josh Ford

Gaston – Dillon Mathews

Lumiere – Stephen Williams

Cogsworth – Blaine Sumler

Mrs. Potts – Jessica Montoya

Chip – Lindsay Bowman

LeFou – Mark Shreve

Babette – Brittney Ham

Madame La Grand Bouche
- Bethany Ellis

Maurice – Nic Tatum

Monsieur D’Arque – Mike Murphy

Silly Girls 1-3
- Emily Fowler, Aubrey Ham, Cari Beauchamp

Townspeople:

Sam Lindley
Jennifer Bryant
Ellen Hood
Abby Prevost
Alex Warren
Brittany Meeks
Caitlin Blackwell
Ellen Hudson
Brittany Lewis
Jennifer Bishop
Lyndsey Coleman
Jacob Hudson
Brandon Keller
Taylor Lawley
Ethan Williams
Chris Williams
Rob DeHoff
Jacob Canaday
Travis McLeese
Corey Odems


Enchanted Objects:

Sandy Nasif
Javonia Burns
Kim Jeffries
DreAle Murphy
Christa Tatum
Anna Sweet
Lizzy Sharpe
Megan Norris
Cassidy Wilson
Jessica Carvalho
Katie Gover
Rebecca Williams
Brett Blakeman
K.J. Minchew
Levi Irwin
Kyle Oliver
Tyler Bradley
Bryan Meade
Justin Ripley
Seth Segraves
Jeremy Hurley

RECRUITING NEW STUDENTS!

Renaissance Theatre is currently in the process of recruiting new students for the Fall 2009 school year. We have a limited number of spots available in our program and we are looking for students who love theatre, have a passion for performance, are hard workers, and are dedicated to performance excellence! If this sounds like you, contact the Renaissance office at 731-352-6414 and ask for Deborah!

Tickets now on sale for Renaissance play!

Tickets are on sale for the play "God's Favorite" by Neil Simon.

Dates:
September 11 - 7:00 pm
September 12 - 7:00 pm
September 13 - 7:00 pm
September 14 - 2:00 pm


Prices:
$10 - Adults
$5 - Children 12 and under

Group rates are available!! Call for pricing.

To reserve tickets, call 731-352-6445.

CAST LISTS

God’s Favorite Cast List

Joe Benjamin: Travis McLeese

Sidney Lipton: Ben French

David: Seth Segraves

Rose: Sandy Nasif

Ben: Taylor Lawley

Sarah: Cassidy Wilson

Mady: Ellen Hood

Morris: Jacob Canaday

Stage Manager: Alex Warren

Back Stage Manager: Rachel

Lights: Jordan

Sound: Kyle Oliver

BYE BYE BIRDIE

Albert Peterson (s): Mike Murphy

Rose Alvarez (s): Jessica Montoya

Conrad Birdie (s): Dillon Mathews

Kim McAfee (s): Aubrey Ham

Mr. McAfee (s): Stephen Williams

Mrs. McAfee (s): Emily Fowler

Randolph McAfee (s): Thomas Elam

Hugo Peabody: K.J. Minchew

Ursula Merkle (s): Lizzy Sharpe

Mae Peterson (s): Nicole Harrell

Ed Sullivan (s): Roger Morris

Teenagers:

Deborah Sue (s): Brittney Ham

Margie (s): Sam Lindley

Alice (s): Cayley Thompson

Helen: Katie Gover

Nancy: Christa Curtis

Penelope: Brittany Meeks

Suzie: Alex Warren

Harvey Johnson: Brett Blakemon

Karl: Josh Ford

Freddie: Tyler Bradley

Sweet Apple Teens: Samantha Davis, Megan Norris, Cassidy Wilson, Caitlin Blackwell, Justin Ripley, Travis McLeese, Jeremy Hurley, Jacob Hudson,

Adults:

Charles Maude (bartender): Nic Tatum

Gloria Rasputin: Lindsey Bowman

Mayor: Rob DeHoff

Mrs. Mayor: Lyndsey Coleman

Mrs. Merkle: Amy Abell

Mr. Johnson: Brandon Keller

Sweet Apple Parents: Kim Jeffries, Anna Sweet, Anna Pirtle, Ellen Hudson, Jennifer Bishop, Ellen Hood, Cari Beauchamp, Blake Ferguson, Taylor Lawley, Sandy Nasif, Jacob Canaday, Seth Segraves, Levi Irwin

TECHNICAL:

TD: Michael Ratz

Stage Manager: Ashley Austin

Back Stage Managers – Rachel Payne, Abby Prevost

OTHER TECH: Jordan Thompson, Chris Williams, Ben French, Kyle Oliver,

Fall Shows and Dates

This is it, the official shows and dates:

September 11-14 - "God's Favorite" by Neil Simon

November 6-9 - "Bye Bye Birdie"

March 26-29, April 2-5 - DISNEY'S "Beauty and the Beast"


Tickets will go on sale approximately one month - 6 weeks before opening night.

Drama After Dark

In Renaissance Theatre, we are all about starting new things! This upcoming school year, 2008-2009, we are starting a project called "Drama after Dark."

"Drama After Dark" is a series of student led productions that will be performed in our local community. The goal of this series is to allow students to be creative by developing their own theatrical events and producing them in our community. It could be a student directed one act play, a student written play, an night of improvisation, or any other type of dramatic production.

All productions must be approved by the Director and will be scheduled around other Renaissance events.

Get creative! Start thinking! Start dreaming!