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Theatre Reunion; Children's Workshop

 

ALUMNI CAST AND CREW TO BE HONORED;
STAGE-RELATED  ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS, PARENTS
10:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 3
Forum Theatre, Free to the Public

Proudly Sponsored by the
Alle-Kiski Society of the Penn State Alumni Association

THEATRE ALUMNI CAST AND CREW REUNION;
CHILDREN's WORKSHOP 

SCHEDULE
10:00 a.m. – Lobby, Forum Theatre
Continental Breakfast, Registration, Alumni Social

10:40 a.m. – Forum Theatre
Welcome by Chancellor Kevin Snider

10:45 a.m. – Forum Theatre
Remarks by Bill Mitas, Director of Theatre, 2008- present
Remarks by Dan Kirk, Director of Theatre, 2004-08
Remarks by Lil Coury, Director of Theatre, 1977-2004

Guest Speaker: Dr. Bob Kreasko, Writer and Producer, "Camp Life"
Special Effects Demonstration – Bill Mitas
One-Act or Impromptu Play Assignments – Interested Alumni

11: 45 a.m. – Forum Theatre
Children and Parents: Theatre Workshop
Alumni and Directors: Socialize, Read Scripts, Homecoming Activities, Food Vendors

2:00 p.m. – Athletics Center Parking Lot
Bed Race Finals

2:30 p.m. – Forum Theatre
Alumni Return
Guest Speaker: Dr. Wayne Brinda, Co-founder and Artistic Director, Prime Stage
Assistant Professor of Education, University of Pittsburgh Bradford
Children's Performance
Alumni Introductions
Alumni Performances
Alumni Awards

3:30 p.m. – Café 780
Penn State-Illinois football game on TV

4:30 p.m. – Soccer Field
Outdoor Concert Opening Acts: RC Static and Identity X

6:30 p.m. – Soccer Field
Outdoor Concert Headliner: Story of the Year

THEATRE REUNION
Homecoming and Family Weekend at Penn State New Kensington is October 3 and alumni who put their talents on the line to entertain the community are the special guests.

Members of Penn State Players and the Drama Club, as well as other theatre-related student organizations and classes, who helped stage the annual fall and spring productions in the Forum Theatre, are encouraged to return to campus and renew old ties with former classmates, friends and directors.

Performers and backstage crew include actors, singers, dancers, and stage and light technicians. Former theatre directors Lil Coury (1977-2004) and Dan Kirk (2004-2008), along with current director Bill Mitas (2008-present) will be on-hand to reminisce about the "glory days." 

The theatre reunion schedule includes two sessions--morning and afternoon--that are designed to allow alumni to take part in a variety of homecoming activities. The morning session features a continental breakfast, special effects presentation, set design and animatronics demonstrations, a children's theatre workshop, and the making of a mask.

The guest speakers are Robert Kreashko, writer and producer of the play, "Camp Life," that premiered in the Forum Theatre in 2008, and Wayne Brinda, co-founder and artistic director of Prime Stage.  

Kreashko's play, presented by the New Kensaington Civic Theatre in 2008, recalls the experiences of "goin' ta camp" in the mountains of Pennsylvania--the jokes, pranks, tales of the past and philosophies of rival generations. The Oakmont resident is an orthodontist with offices in Lower Burrell and Natrona Heights. He earned his doctor of dental degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of dental medicine. For more about playwrite and Kreashko Orthodontics, visit http://drkreashko.com/

Brinda, a Penn State alumnus and assistant professor of education at University of Pittsburgh Bradford, specializes in children's theatre. Located in Pittsburgh, Prime Stage is a nationally recognized theatre that that bridges the gap between children’s theater and adult theatre by creating educational experiences for grade school students, families and teachers. For more on Brinda and Prime Stage, visit http://www.primestage.com/ 

In addition, interested alumni can form groups to perform one-act plays or impromptu performances. Mitas will supply the scripts and storylines.

The afternoon session includes alumni introductions and remarks, performances by the brave souls who volunteered their talents for impromtu acting, and the annual alumni awards program..

In the interim, alumni can socialize, eat lunch, check out the bed races, or practice for the performance. Post-reunion activities include the Penn State-Illinois football game on TV at 3:30 p.m.in Café 780 and an outdoor concert featuring Story of the Year at 4:30 p.m. on the campus soccer field.

Alumni can R.S.V.P. by calling 724-334-6049 or e-mailing: uxw1@psu.edu

 

CHILDREN'S THEATRE WORKSHOP
The family aspect of Penn State New Kensington's Homecoming and Family Weekend will get a boost this year with the addition of a Children's Theatre Workshop at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, in the Forum Theatre.

Geared to grade school students, the workshop will be held in conjunction with the campus' annual alumni celebration that honors alumni who put their talents on the line to entertain the campus and the community as members of theatre-related student organizations.

Bill Mitas, director of theatre at the campus, has put together a program that features demonstrations on prop-making, special effects make-up, animatronics and set design. Parents are encouraged to bring their kids to the day’s events and participate in the numerous additional activities.

Families can also head to the grandstands and cheer their favorite bed race team. The bed race is a new event and will include teams of alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends. The Nittany Lion is making a special appearance to greet everybody and will be available for photos.

New Kensington's four-day homecoming extravaganza, set to take place from Wednesday, Sept. 30 to Saturday, Oct. 3, features an open house for prospective students on Wednesday, pride events for current students on Thursday, and the Chancellor's Ball for alumni and donors on Friday. Festivities culminate on Saturday with an outdoor concert by Story of the Year.

To R.S.V.P. for the children's workshop, call 724-334-6053 or contact Pat Hollinger at pdh5@psu.e