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Excellence in the fine and performing arts, as well as a center for innovative arts education

Guy’s Story: Drama Day Camp Blog, Part 2 “Getting Modernized!”

By Alysha on June 19, 2012

Day 1: AUDITIONS is all I have to say…

My staff and I arrived at Central Plaza on the UCO Campus at 8:15 am.. (too early for summer). We received our scripts and then the campers began to arrive.  I hate speaking in front of a crowd and felt butterflies in my stomach but by 9 am butterflies or not, it was show time! All the campers gathered round, and we started with an ice breaker to get to know each other. Then it came time to discuss what was going to happen that day, and it being Monday and the first day of camp, that meant only one thing—AUDITIONS!

We were lucky to have a generous donor, Mrs. Young, who came and held an audition workshop with the campers while my staff and I went to have a production meeting about the week. Once the auditions began, we were surprised by how much talent came into camp this year. As soon as the auditions were over, we spent 45 minutes of intense discussion picking our cast and then quickly submerged our students into the bright and colorful world of “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”

At first, the students were very hesitant and almost seemed afraid to dive into this great music but soon they were off and learning the show like there was no tomorrow.

Day 2: I Am the Director!!

As Tuesday rolled around, I began to see where the “director” side of my job came into play. To see if my vision of the show was coming together, I decided to sit in on the various rehearsals. There were several times that I wanted to jump into a blocking rehearsal and rework a moment but I had to be respectful of my acting specialists and let them do their job. I sat in on some very intense music rehearsals and watched as the students grew to love this music, even singing it during breaks.

Day 3: Working out the kinks!

Wednesday was much the same as Tuesday, I watched the rehearsals and luckily got a moment to block something! We realized we glanced over an important scene in the show, so I jumped in, with script in hand, and got some work done with the kids. It felt great having that moment and seeing their eyes light up when they understood where I was going.   They are following me on this journey to become “Modernized.”

Millie will soon be ready to take the stage!

 

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Guy’s Story: UCO Student Directs High School Drama Day Camp Part 1

By Alysha on June 13, 2012

UCO offers students unique real-world opportunities to dive into their career field and challenge them in exciting ways. Guy Mitchel, UCO senior Theatre Arts Education major, is this year’s rehearsal director for High School Drama Workshop.  He will be writing a series of posts describing his experiences and challenges in this role.

Guy’s story…

This past Monday, I met with Ines Burnham, program director of the OCAE Summer Arts Camps, to discuss some points of interests about the High School Drama Camp. This year we are doing “Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr.,” a great Tony award-winning show from 2002 starring Sutton Foster. This show is one that I heard about, but never explored until it was announced that we were putting it on this summer.

So, I did what any good musical theatre lover does, I went straight to iTunes and bought the broadway soundtrack and immersed myself into the world of “Millie.” My initial impression of the show and the music was, “Holy Cow! This is difficult even for a college student to learn!” However, after re-reading the script and listening to the music of the “Jr.” version of the show, I came around to seeing that we can definitely pull this off; it is just going to be a lot of work! After two days of sweat and tears, I broke down the script into a daily schedule.

I never realized how difficult it was to coordinate choreography, music and blocking in an 8-hour period. But that sweet moment came when I was able to send the finalized schedule off in an email to Ines.

Next came gathering items needed for the set. In the 1920′s, everything had a certain look to it and unless one has hundreds of dollars to spend, it’s rather difficult to come up with these novelty pieces. But Ines and I put our heads together, and we came up with some great props and a list of materials to make a great set.

The wheels of Drama Day Camp are beginning to turn and I cannot wait to discover what this week will bring!

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My life in Theatre: The Crazy Italian Chapter (Kelsey Fisher)

By Alysha on April 5, 2012

“Wait, we’re doing what?

This is what we, Central Theatre Arts students, thought upon receiving an email informing us of the 2011-2012 season of shows we would be performing. The list had the usual; a great classical show by Moliere, a contemporary piece by Sam Shepherd, a translated play by Jean Anouilh…..and an improv show…?

In my three years at UCO, I’ve had a lot of unexpected curveballs thrown my way. I’ve taken over a lead role a week before opening night, been in a show that my peers and I created in conjunction with the Oklahoma City Memorial (my first show with Mrs. Hayley Thompson as my lovely director,) as well as many other challenges. So, when I heard we were doing an improvisational show, I was excited for a new experience!

Once I learned I was cast in both “The Lark” and “Happy Anniversary Angel, Love Gino,” both spring shows, I was so thrilled to be able to compare and contrast the extreme differences of each of the rehearsal processes, which were going to be going on simultaneously.

My first rehearsal with “Happy Anniversary” was….interesting. As we all sat in a circle to receive our usual “Show Contract” and calendar, I noticed about 10 other pages being passed my way. I joked to our director Hayley, “Look at all these poor trees you killed!

Hayley smirked at my joke and said “Oh, just wait. You’re gonna’ need them.”

That’s when it truly hit me that this show would not be like any other I had ever done. She explained that the papers handed out were our character relationship worksheets. We looked around puzzled, “but won’t we discover the relationships when we read the script?”

With a knowing smile, Hayley informed us that the show was about only 30% scripted and the rest was strictly improv and imagination.

The first few rehearsals were tricky, but a complete blast. We read through the script once or twice and then really got into the improvisational work. We brought in our on-campus improv pro, Sue Ellen Reiman, to help us hone in on some basic rules and games.

To help us with the challenges of this type of theatre, we were assigned fun little assignments to both develop our characters and to develop our bond as a cast. We sent emails as our characters, made up full lives for our character in crazy detail and even went “on location” to Krebs, Oklahoma. In Krebs we all ate a huge Italian feast and then got in costumes and went all around the town taking character pictures. It was a blast and really made the members of the cast feel like an actual family.

When it was finally time to perform the show for our audience, I can honestly say I loved every second. Interacting with the audience was amazing and it made the show different and unique every night.
Every single person involved in the production came in to it a little scared, and a little confused, but mainly excited. I think it’s safe to say that when all was said and done, we had the times of our lives doing this show and walked away with a precious college memory…(and a pretty cool addition to our resume.)

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Faculty Artist Concert Series: “Rach” Concert

By Alysha on March 21, 2012

Here at UCO, we have been given great opportunities to hear and be a part of world-class performances! I’m Sallie Pollack, coordinator of collaborative piano here at UCO, and my colleagues, David Forbat, Paul Sweet, Natalie Syring, Linda Owen, Jennifer Mansour, Chindarat Charenoenwongsa-Shaw and Robert Glaubitz are performing an all Rachmaninoff “Rach” concert this Tuesday, March 27, at the UCO Jazz Lab at 7:30 p.m.

We have had so much fun putting together this unique program. There will be pieces using two pianos, works for three at one piano, piano duets, music for voice and piano as well as flute and piano. Of course, the concert wouldn’t be complete without a wonderful solo played by the amazing Paul Sweet!!

If you’ve never heard Rachmaninoff, I encourage you to come and experience his passionate, cathartic, scintillating, heart-breaking and profound piano music. It will be a “Rach” night and a true world-class performance.

To find out more about UCO College of Fine Arts events please visit, www.uco.edu/cfad/events.

 

 

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Create A Mural Project

By Shalena on May 18, 2011

University of Central Oklahoma art students got a chance to prepare for their future as artists while capturing the West’s vivid history through a project by the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum called “Create a Mural.” Under the direction of renowned muralist and Central Art Professor Bob Palmer, students worked on a western-themed mural in an open, common area that encouraged museum guests to watch the progress.
The “Create a Mural” initiative accompanied the opening of the exhibition “Allen’s True West,” a traveling exhibition organized by the Denver Art Museum focused on the life and work of Colorado artist, illustrator and muralist Allen Tupper True.
Central alumna Gretchen Jeane, director of education and special projects at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage museum, took one of Palmer’s classes and contacted him with the “Create a Mural” project opportunity.
“The students began work on Jan. 17 and spent just over three months on it,” said Palmer. “They were definitely a little nervous at first, but they rose to the challenge.”
According to Central art student Ana Heaton of Mustang the biggest challenge was getting used to having an audience.
“At first, it was hard to switch from being an abstract painter in a personal, private studio to being a muralist in a large, public setting. Having 20 or 30 people watching you work can be a bit nerve wracking, but I got used to it. It was an amazing experience for me, and I am delighted that I was able to participate!”
Andrew Akufo, a Central senior art major from Del City, agreed with his classmate.
“My experience working on the mural was nothing short of phenomenal,” he said. “I have never before, received so much recognition and appreciation for being able to paint. I am much obliged to UCO, Palmer Studios, Inc., and the National Cowboy Museum for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of something so meaningful and ground-breaking for what will serve as my career in the future.”
The Central student mural is currently available to view from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in the lobby of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, located at 1700 NE 63rd Street in Oklahoma City.

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New Sculpture on Campus

By Shalena on April 27, 2011

Did you know that part of receiving a bond in Edmond requires that part of the funds be used towards the installation of new artwork? As a result of that, a new sculpture was installed this March outside of the south-facing entrance to the Center for Transformative Learning (CTL), called “Four Seasons.”

“Four Seasons” is part of the 2010 Be-Leafs series by Bartlesville-native and Sante Fe, NM resident, artist Kevin Box.  Box created the series to celebrate the delicate nature of leaves in museum quality bronze. “Four Seasons” is made up of two clusters of separate, but related, 6ft leaves, made out of brass and two stone blocks.

The sculpture was installed on Thursday, March 24 and dedicated on Friday, March 25 by Dr. John Clinton, Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Design and Dr. William Radke, Provost. They both remarked that the piece really fit the underlying concepts of the CTL because it dealt with growth, constant change and progress.

After the dedication ceremony, the artist pointed out that the largest piece of the sculpture was meant to be sat upon by students. Box’s art philosophy definitely includes, “PLEASE TOUCH!”

If you haven’t made it over to the CTL to see “Four Seasons” yet, you should make it a point to. After all, summer’s just around the corner…

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Finding $85,000 on the floor of a storage room…

By Shalena on February 10, 2011

When galleries and collections director Zina Gelona took over the renovation of the Melton Art Gallery, she never expected to find discarded comics and original pieces lying out of the way, on the ground, in the Melton storage room.

She couldn’t have imagined what she would uncover when she enlisted art MFA student, Dustin Boise, to help her organize the plethora of boxes, 5 storage bureaus and the 32 file cabinets she inherited in the storage room.

Listed below is what Zina and Dustin found. They have been separated and now comprise four separate collections:

T.C. Cannon Collection

Includes two original works, a wood block and a quill pen and ink drawing by Native American artist T.C. Cannon. The collection also has six screen print poster. It is currently housed in the executive conference room in the Chambers Library.

Valued at $35,000.

Mather Work Incentive Poster Collection

Includes five stone lithographs printed in Chicago between 1923 and 1929 that were designed to be posters to improve worker productivity. All five posters are now in the government document section on the 2nd floor of the Chambers Library.

Valued at $25,000.

Political Cartoon Collection

51 original newspaper cartoons, dated range from 1903 to 1940. Some have been published in the “Chicago Sun Times,” “New York Times” and “The Boston Globe.”

To be appraised.

Paper Thunder Pocket Book Collection

400 1940-1950s paperback novels, including “Lady Chatterley’s Lover,” “A Farewell to Arms,” and “Wuthering Heights.”

Valued at $25,000.

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University of Central Oklahoma Wind Symphony CD Reviewed

By Shalena on January 24, 2011

Dr. Brian Lamb, in the School of Music, received an email from Ira Novoselsky, with “BandWorld Magazine,” to let him know that the Wind Symphony’s Ernest Williams CD was reviewed in the January magazine.

Album Title: The Music of Ernest S. Williams: A Legacy Rediscovered
Recording: University of Central Oklahoma WInd Symphony Brian Lamb, conductor
Publisher: Available from University of Central Oklahoma
“The name Ernest S. Williams might be familiar to veteran cornet/trumpet players as one of the leading soloists, educators and band leaders from the first half of the 1900′s. He founded his own school of music in Brooklyn and his library of methods, solos and other compositions were distributed by Charles Colin Music Publishers. It is unfortunate that the band music of Williams has become virtually forgotten but is now available through this landmark recording. This music does not come off as dated and the UCO Wind Symphony does a superb performance throughout. The recording consists of a pair of marches; Con. Dykeman’s March (1942) and The Captivator (1924), Revolutionary Fantasy (1940), which is taken from the composer’s opera Rip Van Winkle and the tone poem America (1941), based on American Indian themes and an original hymn by Williams. The final composition is Symphony No. 1 in C Minor (1947), a three movement masterwork inspired by the life & death of Joan of Arc. With the rediscovery of Ernest S. Williams’ band music it is hopeful these works can once again find a home in the repertoire of modern bands & wind ensembles.”
Congratulations!

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UCO School of Music Faculty To Perform ‘Romantic Highlights For Piano Trio’

By Shalena on January 14, 2011

The University of Central Oklahoma’s School of Music will host a faculty artist concert series performance, “Romantic Highlights for Piano Trio,” at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 18 at the UCO Jazz Lab, located at 100 East 5th Street in Edmond.

Dr. Tess Remy-Schumacher, Central professor of cello chamber music, will be joined by Central School of Music staff pianist Ben Davis and violinist Judy Lee, an active chamber music performer in New England.

“We have selected some of the best romantic repertoire for this chamber music combination of violin, cello, piano, combined with a wonderful late trio by Mozart,” said Remy-Schumacher.

Selections will also include music by Tchaikovsky and Antonin Dvorák, which Remy-Schumacher says is a rare treat to hear works from both composers in a single concert.

Tickets are $10 at the door. A portion of the ticket proceeds go towards music scholarships.

For more information, contact the UCO School of Music at (405) 974-5004.

For a complete schedule of College of Fine Arts and Design performances
and events, visit www.uco.edu/cfad/events.

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UCO School of Music Composer-in-Resident Releases New Cello Music CD

By Shalena on January 5, 2011

University of Central Oklahoma Composer-in-Residence Samuel Magrill, DMA, has released the CD, “Cello Music of Samuel Magrill: Volume II,” featuring collaborations with several Central music faculty members.

On the recording, Magrill, a pianist, is joined by cellist Tess Remy-Schumacher, DMA, Central professor of cello and chamber music, violinist Hong Zhu, DMA, Central violin and chamber orchestra director, and John Clinton, Ph.D., dean of the UCO College of Fine Arts and Design and serves as conductor.

“I am honored to be working with so many talented performers and artists,” said Magrill. “I have great colleagues. It is truly a pleasure to collaborate with them.”

The CD was released internationally in December and includes “Double Concerto for Two Cellos & String Orchestra,” which Magrill said was written with Remy-Schumacher in mind and explores the different relationships between the two soloists and the orchestra. Also included is “East West Duo” which blends the traditions of Carnatic music of South India and Western music.

“The production of the CD was a long, yet satisfying process: from writing the music to finding the performers to recording the works to creating the booklet to proofreading. It feels like something significant was accomplished,” said Magrill, who also serves as a professor of music at Central.

Remy-Schumacher said she enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate with Magrill and other colleagues on this project.

“I loved being part of this CD: the music was very exciting to prepare, and it incorporated very different styles and combinations of instruments,” she said. “My favorite piece was the double concerto for two cellos.”

The cover-art for the CD was created by Chelsea Banks, Central freshman interior design major, who has studied cello under Remy-Schumacher for four years.

“This piece was originally a gift for Dr. Remy-Schumacher,” said Banks.

“I was so surprised when she asked if they could use the painting on the CD. It is such an honor to be included on Dr. Magrill’s CD.”

“Cello Music of Samuel Magrill: Volume II” is $12.97 and can be purchased at www.cdbaby.com. An mp3 version is also available for download for $9.99.

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