How to be Earnest in Chicago
Students prepare for up-coming NDNU production
Roseanna Maafu
Issue date: 2/1/10 Section: Entertainment
Time, energy and commitment are just some of the things it takes to prepare for a production of NDNU's music or theatre departments, both of which are known for performances well above par.
Two exciting productions coming soon include the musical "Chicago" and the act and dance play "The Importance of Being Earnest." Both shows will take place in the NDNU Theatre. "Chicago" will be performed from Feb. 26-28. "The Importance of Being Earnest" will be held in April.
Michael Elkins, chairman of theatre and dance, believes "Earnest" fits the curriculum and standards they have for the students of theatre. The play will focus on the important elements of speech, voice, and language.
"The play will help our students work on their physical confidence, ease of mobility to move well and their emotional mind set," says Elkins.
"Chicago," a show directed by the music department, is about Velma Kelly, who killed her husband and sister after finding them in bed together, and Roxie Hart, who killed her boyfriend when she discovered he wasn't going to make her a star. The two murderers find themselves on death row together.
Supporting actor, NDNU Junior Neal Pascua, plays the role of Fred Cassely, a man who convinces Roxie he can help her showbiz career take off.
"Chicago is such a big production. There is much more dancing, sexy, dark and come-dic acting," says Pascua on how "Chicago" is different from other usual plays performed in the theatre.
Pascua explains how a single 10-minute scene takes an entire rehearsal to perfect. The students of NDNU have put in an effort to memorize their lines and have committed to bringing life to the show.
"Practice doesn't make perfect," says Pascua. "Perfect practice makes perfect."
"Earnest" is a play from the Music Department about two men, both of whom pretend their name is Earnest. One man
is from the country, while the other is from the city. As best friends, they both go into town in which the play is set claiming their fictitious alias'. However, both men are surprised with the conflict of being in love.
Freshmen Margaret Gorrell and Harrison Hapin, who are both actors in the play, agree that the play is "complicated, hilarious, entertaining and full of romance."
Apart from the two larger productions, there will also be minor acts called the Winter One-Acts, on Feb.14, full of short scenes depicting stories such as that of a Valentine's fairy stranded on a lifeboat.
A guarantee that Elkins assures the audience is "laughter, laughter and some more laughter."
"There is no doubt that the audience will be entertained," says Elkins. "It is always important to see what your peers are doing and to support and be proud of them."
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EVENTS AT THE THEATRE, YOU MAY CONTACT THEM AT 650-508-3456 OR BOXOFFICE@NDNU.EDU
Two exciting productions coming soon include the musical "Chicago" and the act and dance play "The Importance of Being Earnest." Both shows will take place in the NDNU Theatre. "Chicago" will be performed from Feb. 26-28. "The Importance of Being Earnest" will be held in April.
Michael Elkins, chairman of theatre and dance, believes "Earnest" fits the curriculum and standards they have for the students of theatre. The play will focus on the important elements of speech, voice, and language.
"The play will help our students work on their physical confidence, ease of mobility to move well and their emotional mind set," says Elkins.
"Chicago," a show directed by the music department, is about Velma Kelly, who killed her husband and sister after finding them in bed together, and Roxie Hart, who killed her boyfriend when she discovered he wasn't going to make her a star. The two murderers find themselves on death row together.
Supporting actor, NDNU Junior Neal Pascua, plays the role of Fred Cassely, a man who convinces Roxie he can help her showbiz career take off.
"Chicago is such a big production. There is much more dancing, sexy, dark and come-dic acting," says Pascua on how "Chicago" is different from other usual plays performed in the theatre.
Pascua explains how a single 10-minute scene takes an entire rehearsal to perfect. The students of NDNU have put in an effort to memorize their lines and have committed to bringing life to the show.
"Practice doesn't make perfect," says Pascua. "Perfect practice makes perfect."
"Earnest" is a play from the Music Department about two men, both of whom pretend their name is Earnest. One man
is from the country, while the other is from the city. As best friends, they both go into town in which the play is set claiming their fictitious alias'. However, both men are surprised with the conflict of being in love.
Freshmen Margaret Gorrell and Harrison Hapin, who are both actors in the play, agree that the play is "complicated, hilarious, entertaining and full of romance."
Apart from the two larger productions, there will also be minor acts called the Winter One-Acts, on Feb.14, full of short scenes depicting stories such as that of a Valentine's fairy stranded on a lifeboat.
A guarantee that Elkins assures the audience is "laughter, laughter and some more laughter."
"There is no doubt that the audience will be entertained," says Elkins. "It is always important to see what your peers are doing and to support and be proud of them."
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EVENTS AT THE THEATRE, YOU MAY CONTACT THEM AT 650-508-3456 OR BOXOFFICE@NDNU.EDU
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