Life of Galileo

The Campaign for Lewis University, “Touching Hearts & Minds” announced enhancing and adding to the Oremus Fine Arts Center at the November production of The Life of Galileo. Central to the enhancements is a new, flexible theatre space to complement the PLT. You’ll be hearing a lot more from us as the plans for a renovation continue to develop. (pictured Ernest W. Ray and Sean Barber in The Life of Galileo.)

Over winter break, students spent time with family and friends enjoying the holidays. However, they also continued their unending passion for theatre.

The PLT has competed for the last 10 years in the highly competitive Irene Ryan Scholarship Acting Auditions. This year, the competition featured over 300+ student actors and their partners in the preliminary auditions. Lewis students Kate Sisto and Laura Wisniewski were chosen to compete in the semi-final round of approximately 60 actors. They performed scenes from Parallel Lives and a contrasting scene from The Sweetest Swing in Baseball.

Lewis students Monisa Victrum and her partner Courtney Everett; Sean Barber and his partner Tyler Harpster also participated in the Irene Ryan Talent Scholarship Audition Competition. Since 1972, the Irene Ryan Foundation has awarded scholarships to outstanding student performers at each regional festival. While attending the 5 day event, James Pankiewicz received a 2010 certificate of merit for his sound design for the PLT production of Hollywood Arms.

Theatre professor Kevin Trudeau, theatre staff members Jo Slowik ‘88, Andrew Nelsen ‘04, and Lewis graduate student, Jackie Sabani ‘08 travelled with the students to Saginaw, Michigan to attend the Forty-Second Annual Region III Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival 2010 hosted by Saginaw Valley State University.

Other Lewis students attending the festival were Missy Young, Jackie Staszak and Christopher Hueg. All together the group represented Lewis and the PLT with finesse, talent and charm.

Amanda Claire-Lowe ‘09 will appear in the upcoming Illinois Theatre Center production of Crumbs from the Table of Joy by Lynn Nottage. Performances are January 29 through February 14. The Illinois Theatre Center is located in downtown Park Forest. (Amanda is pictured here in the PLT ’09 production of Doubt.)

Pictured are the students from the Fall ’09 makeup class in their final projects. (clockwise) Sean Barber as The Joker, Jackie Staszak as Queen Elizabeth, Courtney Everett as Yoda, Caitlin Sullivan as the Phantom Menace, and Kevin Kaucher as Santa Claus.

A star is born! On November 1, Julie (Binder) Krizmaniac’s daughter Lauren gave birth to bouncing baby boy, Jacob Daniel Helenhouse. He weighed in at 8 lbs. 2 oz. and 21”. The family celebrated a happy, healthy holiday season.

PLT patrons may remember Jose Lagunas who appeared in such PLT productions as The Tempest, Equus, The American Clock and Over the Tavern, As part of Diversity Week, there was a screening of the film Silent Shame in which Jose performed the role Francisco. Following the film, Jose participated in a reception and discussion with the film’s director, Juan Frausto. Diversity Week was presented as part of Lewis University’s Arts & Ideas Program, providing cultural and educational programming for students and the community. (Jose is pictured here in the PLT ’04 production of The Tempest.)

2009 ended with a rollicking good time by everyone who attended and participated in the 5th Annual Holiday Spectacular. With 22 performers and 5 crew members the show was the largest and also the highest attended HTC holiday production in its 5 year history. So, what will the 2010 holiday extravaganza have in store for all the good boys and girls next year? Well, let’s just say that Santa and his theatre-loving elves are in the scene shop making their lists.

As the new year begins, HTC continues to grow in memberships with a 2010 total of 59 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.”

HTC created the newly formed Actors Academy which is underway with its winter classes. Actors Academy offers theatre classes for junior drama stars ages 6-12. It is an educational experience including dance, music, and acting. Lewis University alumna, Barbara Eberhard, who taught for 4 years at the Rialto School of the Arts, teaches the Actors Academy classes. Her assistants include Jackie Sabani ‘08, and PLT friends Joanne Porazinski and Linda Tuntland.

Two Actor Academy scholarships were given to 2 students who were nominated by a principal or a teacher. Applicants were approved on a first come, first serve basis, and exhibited financial need. On the last day of winter classes, the drama stars will perform the classic tale, The Emperor’s New Clothes.

Winter Class ‘10 presents THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES SATURDAY MARCH 13 NOON FREE!

The cast of Santa’s helpers in the
HTC 5th Annual Holiday Spectacular!

PLT ANGELS Thank you to the following patrons for their recent donations of props and costumes. Cathy Ayers Bob Baher Ann Cromwell Mary Beth Feeman Shirley Caponigri Pat Kehoe Tom Secor Jackie Staszak Br. Rob Wilsbach Roseann Wilson