September 2000

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Volume I, Issue 1

September - 2000

Welcome to the Theatre!

Hello and welcome to the KCKCC Department of Theatre's first issue of The Callboard. With each issue we plan on bringing you, out patrons and supporters, the latest updates on our exciting program. Our first issue is full of information on our 2000-2001 season, our talented students and faculty, improvements to the theatre space, and our new Theatre Arts Association.

So, where to start? School has only been in session a few weeks, but we are already well into classes and rehearsals. Enrollment is way up all over campus. I am especially happy to be greeting this, my first class of recruits to KCKCC. They are talented, dedicated, and diverse group. I know you will enjoy their work.

I cam here from Florida State University two years ago to develop the Theatre program. The time was certainly gone by quickly. We have accomplished a great deal, none of which would have been possible without the steadfast support of the administration, faculty, and staff of KCKCC. Let me thank them publicly once again for allowing me the opportunity to create. I am also grateful to a marvelous group of professional theatre practitioners who graciously lend their time, talents and energies to the design, direction, and construction of our program both in the classroom and in production. They are good friends. They must be. They are extremely busy elsewhere practicing their crafts. They are here because they care about the students. Thank you for caring too.

- Dr. Charles Leader

Los Vendidos

By Luis Valdez
October 5, 6, and 7

We begin our season with an early work of one of our country's most influential Hispanic playwrights. The pervasive and complex influence of stereotypes and the ways they work to support a dominant, even oppressive, society raise problems that Valdez has persistently explored in his more familiar works Zoot Suit and La Bamba. His effective style of agit-prop Chicano teatro has been seen in Europe and Central and South America on several occasions, but is a first for our department. Join us for a hilarious journey into Honest Sancho's Used Mexican Lot and Mexican Curio Shop with Miss JIM-enez as she seeks the perfect Mexican-type for Governor George W. Bush's administration.
"Senorita, you are looking at the Volkswagen of Mexicans. Pennies a day is all it takes. One plate of beans will keep him going all day."

- Honest Sancho

The Jungle Book

By Rudyard Kipling
 Adapted with music and lyrics by Ben Ohmart and John Franceschina
October 26, 27, 28 and 29

Once, fear found the tiger; Then it mastered man; Then it taught the jungle to kill, Why is still a mystery But in all of jungle history This fear has survived And always will.

- Boloo
We are very excited to present this exciting new adaptation of Kipling's classic tale of Mogli. Abandoned by his parents in the jungle and raised by wolves, Mogli must quickly learn the ways of the jungle if he hopes to survive. His teachers include Shere Khan, the tiger; Baloo the bear; Bagheera, the panther; Kaa the giant 25-foot python; and the always unexpected Bander-logs. This production is not a staged imitation of the Disney cartoon, but an exciting new interpretation featuring direct-manipulation life-sized puppets and brand new songs. Share this enchanting, magical, mysterious, and suspenseful evening with friends and family, but be careful! It's a jungle out there!*

*Parental advisory: due to the nature of the material and scenes depicting violence we suggest that parents limit attendance to those children grades 3 and up.

An O. Henry Christmas

By Howard Burman Dec 7, 8, 9 and 10

A heartwarming evening of theatre inspired by the writings America's master of the short story. After escaping wrongful imprisonment, a mysterious storyteller enters an abandoned railroad spur on the outskirts of New York City. It is Christmas Ever, 1893. In exchange for some hobo stew, the stranger entertains a rag-tag mix of seemingly lost souls by spinning a few tales. In the process, he rekindles the spirit of giving. Join us as we bring to life "The Gift of the Magi," "The Last Leaf," and other O. Henry favorites. This delightful evening of poignant and comically ironic stories will surely brighten your holiday spirits.

Trifles and Suppressed Desires

By Susan Glaspell
March 1, 2, 3 and 4

An American classic by a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and one of the original members of the Provincetown Playhouse. In the gloomy kitchen of an abandoned farmhouse, the county attorney, the sheriff, a neighboring farmer, and their wives investigate a murder. Farmer Wright is found strangled in his bed with a rope around his neck. Mrs. Wright has been arrested and on suspicion of committing the deed. What did happen in the Wright household and, more importantly, why did it happen? Who is better at interpreting the evidence: the men or the women? Unusually powerful and effective, Trifles offers a splendid opportunity to display the talents of our fine young female actors. See if you can unravel this mystery before the characters find their answers. And where is the cat?

In the comedy-satire Suppressed Desires Glaspell, in collaboration with George Cram Cook, attains and maintains a popular and highly amusing travesty about misapplied psychology. Henrietta's obsession with psychoanalysis leads to a completely off-the-wall interpretation of a dream and very nearly to divorce before the absurdity of the situation is realized.

Little Mary Sunshine

Book, Music, and Lyrics by Rick Besoyan
April 5. 6, 7 and 8

Our Spring Musical! You may not recognize the title, but you will definitely want to attend a performance. One of the most successful Off-Broadway stages shows, Little Mary Sunshine ran for 3 years and won every award for its score and enchanting performances. Billed as "a musical about an old operetta"-a musical spoof of old-time favorites like "Rose Marie" and "Naughty Marietta"-Little Mary Sunshine is gently delightful in its own right. With its deliberately corny songs and naïve situations, it pokes fun at all the clichés of the innocent musicals our grandparents enjoyed. Freshly done with flair; it will quickly win your heart with its brilliant fooling. There are 24 songs in all, including thundering choruses, schmaltzy waltzes and lilting duets-all kidding and all in fun. The melodramatic plot contains a little bit of everything from the daring exploits of its ruggedly handsome Colorado Rangers, a stalwart Captain, a lovely heroine, a chorus of simpering school girls to the sinister conniving schemes of its dastardly villain! As a loving lampoon, Little Mary Sunshine has become something of an American institution as well as an international favorite.

The Student One-Act Play Festival

May 3, 4 and 5

Our final production of the year!

An evening of highly original one-act plays written, produced, acted and directed by our talented group of fine young theatre practitioners. Always fresh and exciting and an evening you won't want to miss!

Faculty and Guest Artists

We would like to welcome Robert Foulk (Stage Management) to our adjunct faculty. Robert has distinguished himself both as a stage manager and director in the Kansas City area working at the American Heartland and Unicorn Theatres, Theatre for Young Audiences, and the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival.

Guest Artists-Fall 2000:

We are honored to have John with us this semester. An accomplished composer, musician, scholar, and playwright. John will be on campus teaching, composing and working with the student actors on The Jungle Book.

Gary Mosby - Set Design

Randy Winder - Lighting Design

Heather Loewenstein - Costume Design

Laura Burkhart - Property Design

Frank Curtis - Vocal Coach

John Franceschina - Artist in Residence

New York! New York!

We have over 40 new Theatre students this year and they are already getting busy raising money for their Spring 2001 trip to New York City. One of their projects is to sell ads for our Season of Plays programs. So be kind when they come around your door. You may wish to buy an ad for your company, your family, or just to wish the actors well in their endeavors. The ads come in 4 different sizes so there is sure to be something to fit your business needs. The best part is that your copy will remain in the program throughout the school year and all four mainstage productions. That's a run of 20 days at a very affordable rate. Just think of the captive audience your message will reach! And your generosity will be rewarded in other ways!

Patron ($100-249)

Business card sized ad plus the Callboard, a season ticket and an invitation to our Gala Opening Night Receptions

Director ($250-499)

A quarter page ad plus all of the above, two season tickets and our pre-show talks with the directors.

Angel ($500-999)

A half page ad, all of the above and four season tickets plus invitations to join us for our visiting artists lectures and special opening night dinners.

Producer ($1000 or more)

A full page ad, all of the benefits of an Angel and an invitation to come along and join us on our trip to New York to see The Lion King and other Broadway favorites. Included in the trip is a special backstage tour of the New Amsterdam Theatre to see first-hand how all that Disney magic is performed.

So, why not buy an ad? You will be helping the students and you'll get to see the best live theatre in town. Just give us a call at 913-334-1100 ext 106 and we will be glad to arrange a visit to your place of business to arrange your advertising.

Charley's Aunt

December 6, 7 and 8 at 8 P.M.
December 9 at 2 P.M.

Charley's Aunt by Brandon Thomas
Presented by the Drama Club of Kansas City Kansas Community College

Cast of Charly's Aunt

Billy Brame (Jack Chesney) - Sumner Academy
Jasmine Jackson (Kitty Verdun)- Pleasant Ridge High School
Beth Kiekel (Amy Spettigue) - Sumner Academy.
Brian Lechner (Charley Wykeham) - Leavenworth High School
Todd Mika (Stephen Spettigue) - Bishop Ward High School.
Emily Moehlman (Donna Lucia D'Alvadorez) - Bonner Springs High School
Danielle Soto (Ela Delahay) - Alta Vista
Wayne Springer (Brassett) -Turner High School
Robert Steele (Sir Francis Chesney) - Washington High School
Clinton Velazquez (Lord Fancourt Babberley) - DeSoto High School

Performing Arts Center Theatre
Kansas City Kansas Community College
7250 State Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66112

Tickets:
   $6.00 for adults
   $5.00 for students and senior citizens

Group rates available

Call 913-288-7134 for information and reservations
Charley's Aunt by Brandon Thomas

About the play.

Don't miss the fun of this world-famous farce which has moved millions to tears of laughter. Jack Chesney loves Kitty Verdun and Charley Wykeham loves Amy Spettigue. They invite the ladies to meet Charley's wealthy aunt from Brazil. But alas, the millionaire aunt sends word that she will have to defer her visit for a few days. What is to be done? The problem is solved by forcing another Oxford undergraduate, Lord Fancourt Babberley, to dress up and pretend to be Charley's Aunt. The fun begins when the real Charley's Aunt shows up! You won't want to miss this night of confusion and hilarity that has kept audiences around the world in tears… of laughter.

About the cast and crew

Jeremy Thomas (Director) is a graduate of Blue Springs High School and a sophomore Theatre major. Jeremy's acting work includes Little Mary Sunshine, Miracle Worker, and Joseph. Jeremy has directed This is a Test, Surprise! Mr. Black, Over My Shoulder, War of the Worlds, A Rock and a Hard Place and stage managed Suppressed Desires. He is also the author of Surprise! Mr. Black, Paint, and Anne Rose, which received Honorable Mention at the Blank Theatre Festival in L.A. Jeremy would like to dedicate this performance to his star and angel Brianna. He would also like to thank all the designers for their hard work and creative eye, the cast for their dedication, and all his loved ones for their support. "I couldn't have done this show without you!"

Thadd Triplett (Stage Manager) is a graduate of F.L. Schlagle High School and a freshman here at KCKCC. His majors are Theatre Technology and Vocal Music Performance. His stage work includes, Guys and Dolls, Little Shop of Horrors, Midnight Nightmares, Our Town and Cinderella. Thadd is a Presidential Scholarship Recipient and a member of the Honor Society Phi Theta Kappa here at KCKCC. He is a Former Member of ITS Troop 1845 and has been a Boy Scout for eleven years.

Billy Brame (Jack Chesney) graduated from Sumner Academy, Billy is a sophomore here at KCKCC. Billy was awarded the Improvisational State Champion title in 1999 and is currently a member of Comedy City, an improvisational troupe. Billy has starred in many shows including Music Man, Our Town, Guys and Dolls, Regrets, Anything Goes, My Life the Musical, Jungle Book, The Great Penguin Hunt, An O'Henry Christmas and Little Mary Sunshine.

Jasmine Jackson (Kitty Verdun) is a graduate of Pleasant Ridge High School and a sophomore majoring in Theatre. Jasmine's previous stage work at Pleasant Ridge included Oliver Twist, Our Town, Bye-bye Birdie and You Can't Take it With You. She has also performed in KCKCC productions of The Jungle Book, An O'Henry Christmas, Suppressed Desires, and Little Mary Sunshine. Jasmine is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and President of the Drama Club. She would like to thank everyone who has ever supported her or the KCKCC Theatre Department.

Beth Kiekel (Amy Spettigue) is a freshman majoring in Theatre from Sumner Academy. Beth's stage work includes Final Dress Rehearsal, You Can't Take it With You, God's Favorite, The Heiress and Winnie the Pooh.

Brian Lechner (Charley Wykeham) is a graduate of Leavenworth High School majoring in Theatre here at KCKCC. Brian has appeared in many shows including Student One-Act: The Night the Martians Supposedly Landed, A Streetcar Named Desire, Much Ado About Nothing, Once Upon a Mattress, Picasso of the Lapin Agile, , Grease, The Wizard of Oz, Do Not Go Gentle, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Of Mice and Men and Taming of the Shrew. Brian is an active Eagle Scout and works on the camp staff every summer. He is very religious and believes that God is #1!!

Todd Mika (Stephen Spettigue) is a freshman here at KCKCC and a graduate of Bishop Ward High School. While attending high school Todd was very active in Drama Club and school productions. Some of Todd's stage work includes The Fiddler on the Roof, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Outsiders, The Man Who Came to Dinner and Guys and Dolls.

Emily Moehlman (Donna Lucia D'Alvadorez) is a graduate of Bonner Springs High School and a freshman majoring in Theatre. She has previously appeared in productions of The Pajama Game; Once Upon a Mattress; Bye, Bye Birdie and The Glass Slipper.

Danielle Soto (Ela Delahay) is a freshman here at KCKCC majoring in Theatre. Danielle is an Alta Vista graduate and previously performed in A Streetcar Named Desire, and California Suites. She enjoys singing, dancing and acting a fool. Danielle is also a proud mother of an 18-month-old baby boy, " Lil` Jimmy".

Wayne Springer (Brassett) is a graduate of Turner High School and a sophomore majoring in Theatre. Wayne's previous stage work includes, Little Mary Sunshine, The Jungle Book, The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Wait Until Dark, Othello, Cheaper By the Dozen, and Am I Blue. Wayne has also worked with the Stone Lion Puppet Theatre and the Wyandotte Players on past productions. He directed last spring's Student One-Act The Great Penguin Hunt and the most recent Madrigal Dinner.

Robert Steele (Sir Francis Chesney) is a graduate of Washington High School and a sophomore Theatre major. Robert has appeared in many productions such as Shadow Box, Romeo and Juliet, Rebel Without a Cause, Dracula, The Mousetrap, Lion in Winter, Student One-Act: The Great Penguin Hunt, Trifles and An O'Henry Christmas. He was also awarded the title of Best Supporting Actor of 1997 at Washington High School for his role in Lion in Winter. Robert would like everyone to know he is currently a member of the improvisation troupe at Comedy City.

Clinton Velazquez (Lord Fancourt Babberley) a graduate of DeSoto High School, Clint is a sophomore majoring in Theatre. Clint's stage work at KCKCC includes The King of Hearts, The Jungle Book, The Night the Maritans Supposedly Landed and Little Mary Sunshine. He has appeared in other shows such as Oklahoma, The Wizard of Oz and The Prince and the Pauper at Starlight Theatre and Shawnee Mission Theatre in the Park. He produced, stage-managed and served as master electrician for A Rock and a Hard Place at the First Presbyterian Church with Jeremy. Clint would like to thank his family for their support, Jeremy for his tolerance, and God for…..well…..everything.