On Sunday, January 29 Alec Baldwin of NBC's hit series 30 Rock won the best male acting in a TV comedy series at the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards. He added heartfelt moments and was gracious in his acceptance speech. The SAG Awards not only honor movies. They also vote on the best television shows and television actors in a number of categories.

Baldwin, a five-time winner for his role as Jack Donaghy, paid tribute to writers Tina Fey, Robert Carlock, Kay Cannon '96 and others in his speech. The NBC sitcom's strength, he said, was in "the greatest writing." He also endorsed the SAG Foundation's literacy initiative Book Pals.

Lewis University's Director of Theatre, Keith White '77 will perform the role of King Henry II in Joliet Drama Guild's production of The Lion in Winter by James Goldman on February 10-12 and 17-19. Set in the court of Henry II, King of England, at Christmas 1183, this comic drama heats up as the royal personages play a high stakes game of check and mate for power and love. Go online to jolietdramaguild.org

Barbara Softcheck Kaplan '75 recently directed The Nerd at the State University of New York at Delhi, where she serves as Assistant to the President.

Kayce Alltop '00 has been performing with comedy theatre group, pH Productions for over 5 years and is the company's Relations Director. She is responsible for booking traveling gigs, off-site shows and corporate events. The name pH comes from idea of group chemistry. www.whatisph.com

Janelle Coats '05 played the role of Sister James in Doubt in December. The performances were held in the Cox Auditorium on the campus of Triton College. Over the holidays, Janelle became engaged to Michael Kolosh.

Tim Nessel '98 is performing in Grove Players' production of Wrong Turn at Lungfish. The show opens Feb 10 and runs for two weekends. He has a podcast with the Illinois Center for Broadcasting where he is attending classes. Here is the link for the podcast: www.jamzonair.com/deepcuts




LEWIS UNIVERSITY'S "ROSE AND THE RIME" PERFORMED AT "EVENING OF SCENES" AT THEATER FESTIVAL





Lewis University's Philip Lynch Theatre's (PLT) production of "Rose and the Rime" by Nathan Allen, Chris Mathews and Jake Minton was selected to participate in the "Evening of Scenes" at the Region III Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF). The festival was held January 3 - 7, 2012 on the campus of the University of Illinois. The "Evening of Scenes" was held in conjunction with the opening ceremonies of the festival on Wednesday evening, January 4.

Lewis University's Theatre Department participates annually in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF). KCACTF festivals showcase selected university productions and offer a variety of activities, including workshops, symposia, and student artists individual recognition through awards and scholarships in playwriting, acting, criticism, directing, and design. "Rose and the Rime" was one of nine productions showcased in the "Evening of Scenes" from a four state region.

Rachel Tau of Wood Dale reprised her role as Rose in the presentation. Ensemble members included: Ashley Daun of New Lenox, Jackie Staszak of Braidwood, Melanie Gillies of Lombard, Michael Wall of Waconda, Matt Carlson of Lockport, Stephanie Lipinski of Oak Forest, Jackie Flint of Braidwood, Carli Wheeler of Joliet, and Greg Rossbach of Crete. The ten-minute scene was stage managed by Jonathan Erickson of Chicago, assistant staged managed by Melissa Chicola of Lockport and directed by Lewis University theatre manager, Jo Slowik of Joliet.



In addition, Lewis University students also participated in technical competitions and the Irene Ryan Acting competition. Lewis students participating with production designs included: Ashley Daun (sound design, "Nickel and Dimed") Melanie Gillies (properties, "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" and "Rose and the Rime") Melissa Chicola of Lockport (set design, "Nickel and Dimed," "Rose and the Rime"). Irene Ryan Acting competitors included: Jackie Staszak ("Nickel and Dimed" nomination), and Matt Carlson ("Nickel and Dimed" and "Rose and the Rime" nominations). Lewis University is a Catholic university offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to nearly 6,500 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally aware, and socially responsible graduates. The ninth largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report.







2011 performances ended with a rollicking good time for everyone who attended and participated in the 7th Annual Heritage Theatre Company Holiday Spectacular. The show was the largest and also the highest attended HTC holiday production in its seven-year history with 34 performers and a production staff of 17 members. The theatre was packed with patrons who also generously supported the annual food drive for local shelters.

As the New Year begins, HTC continues to grow in memberships with dedicated alumni, subscribers, families and friends who support the HTC mission. It states: "we are committed to the artistic and personal growth of our members and to the entertainment and enrichment of the communities we serve."

So, what will the 2012 holiday extravaganza have in store for all the good boys and girls next year? Due to popular demand, HTC will add a Saturday 4 pm matinee performance in 2012 for the 8th Annual Holiday Spectacular! As for other news on next year show...well, let's just say that Santa and his theatre-loving elves are in the scene shop making their lists for the most wonderful time of the year!

 




Congratulations Matt Carlson and Rachel Tau for their Irene Ryan acting nominations for Rose and the Rime.



Matt Carlson		  

Rachel Tau






Dr. Irvin of Regional CARE with her dog, Shadow walking on the nature trail with Br. James Gaffney


The PLT hosted the 16th annual Regional CARE Association AIDS walk and fun run at Lewis University on Saturday, October 1. Among attendees were Lewis President Br. James Gaffney, Lockport High School girls volleyball team, Lewis students and community members. The event raises between $7,000 and $10,000 each year. For the second year, the walkers went through the Lewis nature trail. Regional CARE Association president, Keith White '77 commented with the still-struggling economy and the financial crisis faced by the State of Illinois, events like the 5K have become increasingly important to smaller non-profits agencies like Regional CARE Assocation. Regional CARE Association, a non-profit agency based in Joliet Illinois, have been serving people with HIV/ AIDS and our community since 1996. Regional CARE provides: medical and counseling services for people living with HIV/AIDS; free, anonymous HIV testing and counseling; and HIV awareness and prevention programs in the community.





Two dedicated theatre students are graduating in December. Combined they have worked on over 10 PLT productions either as performers or technicians. We wish them a 'break a leg' in all their future endeavors!





Courtney Everett


Debut: An Experiment with an Air Pump
Curtain Call: 7th Holiday Spectacular
Future: Working as an on-air reporter for a TV station anywhere in the country 		 




DELIA GOLDRICK


Debut: The Boy Friend
Curtain Call: New York
Future: Coaching students on the speech team at Marian Catholic High School and tutoring students at the elementary and secondary level before and after school 		 






Thank you to the following 'theatre angels' for their props and costume donations.
Jim Dahlberg Family
Jan Coats
Elaine Ruettiger
Jim Sczepaniak
Jill Tschetter
Mohra Gavankar
Barbara Eberhard