Hansen Theatre
Saturday, May 11
7:30 p.m.
Free Admission

Meghan McLaughlin to present at Tuesday’s SAC Conference

By Kalicia Kamranian

Young children grow to understand the world around them through trial and error. They fail forward to success. Freshman Meghan McLaughlin believes that as we age, the development of our creative minds decreases. McLaughlin will discuss this issuer in her SAC presentation, “Stepping Away from Creativity.”

Double majoring in studio arts, with an emphasis in sculpture, and theater arts, with an emphasis in theater technology and design, McLaughlin clearly has a passion for creativity. She likes people to see different perspectives in both art and life. Her presentation is inspired by TED talks, a series of documentaries based in the U.K., and by the late philosopher Alan Watts, from whom McLaughlin has studied ideas on creativity in life.

Throughout life, we learn with our senses, we reach goals, and once we have reached a goal, we move on to the next. Life progresses and we work less with our creative minds and more with the fear of failure, McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin hopes she inspires people to take away a new idea, or an old idea with a new person saying it. “I want them to have the understanding that we need to change something in school. It is okay to feel fear, but face it.”

McLaughlin will discuss the reasons our minds slowly lose the creativity we had as children, and plans to include information and quotes from well-known inventors and philosophers, such as Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison.

McLaughlin hopes others will share her desire to change how we learn things as we age. “Some people might feel it’s important, and that’s what I hope for.”

www.tinrooftheatre.org

Avenue Q

Winner of the Tony “Triple Crown” for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, the musical focuses on a group of 20-somethings making their way in the big city. The show, inspired by the public television classic Sesame Street, addresses humorous adult issues, using “adult” language and situations. Like Sesame Street, it’s a “place where puppets are friends, monsters are good and life lessons are learned.”

Tickets for Avenue Q are available at www.mnstate.edu/theatre or through the MSUM Box Office. Call (218) 477.2271 Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are also available at the door if not sold out.

For more information contact Elizabeth Evert Karnes at (218) 477.2267 or email her at evertel@mnstate.edu.

Avenue Q’s puppets funny but not necessarily family-friendly

Avenue Q, the third production of the MSUM Theatre Department, opens Wednesday, Feb. 27, and continues nightly through March 2. All shows start promptly at 7:30 p.m.  in the Hansen Theatre in the Roland Dille Center for the Arts on the MSUM campus.

Winner of the Tony “Triple Crown” for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, the musical focuses on a group of 20-somethings making their way in the big city. The show, inspired by the public television classic Sesame Street, addresses humorous adult issues, using “adult” language and situations. Like Sesame Street, it’s a “place where puppets are friends, monsters are good and life lessons are learned.”

Tickets for Avenue Q are available at www.mnstate.edu/theatre or through the MSUM Box Office. Call (218) 477-2271 Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are also available at the door if not sold out.

For more information contact Elizabeth Evert Karnes at (218) 477-2267 or email her at evertel@mnstate.edu.

Sorbo will be at Barnes & Noble Saturday, Feb. 16 at 11 a.m. in Fargo signing his memoir, “True Strength–My Journey from Hercules to Mere Mortal–and How Nearly Dying Saved My Life.”

In addition to the book signing, MSUM will host a Book Fair Feb. 16 at Barnes & Noble with Storytime at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and an appearance by Scorch; Bookmark Craft at 11:30 a.m.; and free balloons and dragon tattoos.

Mention MSUM when you make a Barnes & Noble purchase that day and 10 percent of all sales will support Founders Scholarships for the School of Teaching and Learning. So stop by and mention MSUM when you check out!

Can’t make it to the book signing? You can still support MSUM scholarships by shopping online at BN.com/bookfairs. Use ID number 11016292.

Sorbo is the guest speaker tonight at the 5th annual Founders Scholarship Gala. The Gala is one of MSUM’s largest scholarship fundraisers.

This play with music follows the travails of a family as they try to make a living in a world torn apart by war. It is an epic production covering a large span of time and place, ranging in tone from the tragic to the comic, with 26 roles (9 with significant singing). Jeffery Izzo, Music, is composing original music.

For auditions, you need to prepare a 90 second package that includes at least one monolog and a short piece from a ballad.  Please direct any questions to:

Director – Patrick Carriere patrick.carriere@mnstate.edu
Music Director/Composer – Jeffery Izzo Jeffery.izzo@mnstate.edu

Patricia Kennedy Hansen, 81, of Fargo, ND, died peacefully on Friday, January 11, 2013 at Bethany Retirement Living, Fargo.

Patricia Jean Kennedy was born February 21, 1931 in Fargo, ND to William U. and Annie Blanche (Moore) Kennedy (both deceased). She attended Horace Mann grade school, Ben Franklin Junior High, and graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1948. During WWII, her family lived in Seattle, WA. In 1951, she married Kenneth E. Heine. In 1956, she married Magnus C. Geston of Fargo. In 1974 she married Lt.Col. Robert A. Hansen, whom she regarded as the love of her life.

She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from NDSU in 1955 and a Master of Arts in English in 1962. In college, she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, Edwin Booth Dramatic Society and Mortarboard Honor Society. She was president of the Panhellenic Council and served on the NDSU Student Council.

She was a professor of English for 28 years at both at NDSU and MSU. She taught Literature and Film Studies and served for three years as Chairman of the MSU English Department. She served as president of the Gamma Phi Beta Alumni Chapter from 1956-1957 and the American Association of University Women from 1966-1968. While on sabbatical, she attended the University of London, Oxford University, UCLA and the American Film Institute.

Her love of travel took her to Europe, Mexico, the Mediterranean and throughout the US. She passed her enduring interest in art, music and literature on to her children, grandchildren and students. She deeply cherished her many friendships and the community of Fargo.

Patricia was very active in the Fargo arts community. She was an affiliate of the Fine Arts Club holding membership in both Drama and History sections. She also supported the FM Opera Company, the FM Symphony, Plains and Rourke Art Galleries and The Straw Hat Players.

A member of Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral, she served on the Pipe Organ Committee and enjoyed participating in the reading group and other church activities. She was very proud of the beautiful stained-glass window that she donated to the church.

Patricia is survived by her daughter, Susan (Jeff) Bridges, Santa Barbara CA; her son, William K. (Connie) Geston, Santa Barbara CA; four granddaughters, Jamey Geston, Isabelle (Brandon) Boesch, Jessica Bridges, Hayley Bridges and her great-granddaughter, Grace Boesch; three step-daughters, Barbara (Greg) Higgins, Portland OR, Reda (Jeff) Chambers, Chandler AZ, and Laura (George) Bird, Ypsilanti MI. She is also survived by her dearest cousins, Marlo Ann Gade and grandson Joey of Grand Forks. Patricia’s family appreciates the loving and compassionate care given by her extraordinary friend, Lanette Krinsky.

Donations may be made to Gethsemane Cathedral or community arts programs.

Memorial Service: Wednesday, January 16th, 2pm at Gethsemane Cathedral, Fargo.

http://www.inforum.com/event/obituary/id/386272/

Thursday, Friday, & Saturday, December 6, 7, & 8 @ 7:30 p.m.
Gaede Stage
Admission: Pay what you can
Adult language and situations

View upcoming performances

After the show members of the cast talk with elemetary student attendees.

Published: The Advocate http://msumadvocate.com/2012/11/a-fairytale-with-a-twist-msum-childrens-theater-at-it-again/
November 12, 2012
PHOTO AND STORY BY MEREDITH WATHNE

“Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair,” is a line we’re all familiar with, but what about “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, jump on my back?”

David Wheeler, a professor in the theater arts department, adapted the child’s tale “Rapunzel,” for the MSUM Children’s Theater – “Rapunzel and Her Dragon.”

The charming story features two casts, red and blue.  It bares many similarities to the classic tale but implements the use of new characters and a modified story line.

The play is the story of Rapunzel, played by Solveig Swanson of the red cast, a junior musical theater major, and her rabbit friend, played by Laura Berger of the red cast, a freshman theater arts major. The two are running around playing and laughing when they stumble upon a hungry, injured Dragon.

After feeding vegetables to the Dragon, played by Nikko Raymo of the red cast, a senior theater arts major, and fixing his broken wing, Rapunzel, the rabbit and the dragon quickly become a tight-knit trio.

One of the biggest laughs from the crowd came when Rapunzel suggests they play a game of duck, duck goose. Confused, the dragon asked “what is a duck?” to which the rabbit replies “a little goose.” Still perplexed, the dragon asks “what’s a goose?” After pondering for a moment the rabbit proclaims, “it’s a big duck!”

As Rapunzel, the rabbit and the dragon continue to play, things take a turn for the worst and the evil witch next door kidnaps Rapunzel.

The entire cast teams up to try and rescue Rapunzel, but at last her new friend, the dragon, comes to the rescue and relinquishes the evil witch’s powers for good.

After the show, the cast met the students outside the theater to talk about the show. Many youngsters shouted “I liked when the bunnies chased the wolves,” and “when the dragon blew fire.”

Not only was the show a hit with the young ones, but the actors and actresses love being involved with children’s theater.

“It’s over the top,” James Stenger, who played Rapunzel’s father in the red cast, said. “You never know what to expect, every audience is different.”

The MSUM Children’s Theater has been a part of the Theater Arts Department since it was created 50 years ago and it continues to be popular with faculty, performers and student attendees alike.

“I love the opportunity to have an audience that’s going to be really engaged in the show and actors,” Wheeler said.

“Rapunzel and Her Dragon” marks the seventh play that Wheeler has written for the MSUM Children’s Theater.

“It’s also an opportunity to work on a simple, thematic lesson,” he said.

The moral of the play is to accept people for who they are, even if who they are is a little bit different.

Ninety-one schools will participate and bring over 8,000  6- to 8-year-olds to see the play. There will be 15 shows for the elementary schools to attend, along with two performances open to the public at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Nov. 17 in Hansen Theater.

Published: The Advocate http://msumadvocate.com/2012/11/a-fairytale-with-a-twist-msum-childrens-theater-at-it-again/
November 12, 2012
PHOTO AND STORY BY MEREDITH WATHNE

“‘Pinching Penny’ is as refreshingly entertaining and funny as it is insightful.” – Jennifer Conley of Movie Pie.

“Steven Molony is great in the lead role of Alex … One good role, and he could prove to be something of a breakout star in the future.” – Josh Lyons of The Couch Potato Club.

Molony comments, “I’m thrilled to receive this award. To have my name listed among so many talented artists who have received an Indie before me is truly an honor. I’m very grateful to all those who made this possible, and especially to Dan Glaser for casting me in this project three years back.”

Glaser writes of working with Molony, “To have worked so closely with as fine an actor as Steven Molony on our debut film was not only an enthralling experience, but also an immense honor. He approaches his craft with such deft dedication and respect, that I have nothing but the utmost faith in his ability to bring extra life to every role. I’d trust him completely to tackle any film head-on… and bring with that attack an intensity that’s really something to behold.”

The Indie Fest recognizes film professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, and those who produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change. Entries are judged by highly qualified professionals in the film industry. Information about the Indie Fest and a list of recent winners can be found at www.theindiefest.com.

In winning an Indie, Steven Molony joins the ranks of other high-profile winners of this internationally respected award. Thomas Baker, Ph. D., Who chairs the Indie Fest, had this to say about the latest winners, “The Indie is not an easy award to win. Entries are received from around the world. The Indie helps set the standard for craft and creativity. The judges were pleased with the exceptionally high quality of entries. The goal of The Indie is to help winners achieve the recognition they deserve.”

For more information call Candice Han at 310-435-0930 or visit Steven Molony’s website at www.stevenmolony.com.

Brandau studied film at Towson as an undergraduate and holds an MFA in theatre from Towson.

It will take place Thursday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Gaede Stage, in the Roland Dille Center for the Arts.

Questions: Craig Ellingson at craig.ellingson@mnstate.edu

One Night Only
American Foundation for Equal Rights and Broadway Impact presents:

8
a play by Dusting Lance Black

Thursday, October 18th
Gaede Stage, 7:30 p.m.
Roland Dille Center for the Arts

Q & A/Panel discussion to follow performance

FREE ADMISSION
All donations benefit MSUM’s GSA, Minnesota United, and FM Pride Collective

For further information, please contact: MSUM Box OFfice, 218.477.2271
Monday to Friday, 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

MSUM’s Director of Theatre, Craig Ellingson

PDF

FARGO – Doug Hamilton is coming back to the airwaves. The longtime TV and radio anchor takes over as host for the daily North Dakota Public Radio show “Hear it Now.” The show airs weekdays at 3 p.m. on 91.9-FM in Fargo-Moorhead.

Hamilton was recently the executive director of foundation/advancement at Minnesota State University Moorhead and served as the school’s assistant to the president for media and community relations.

Ashley Thornberg has also joined the show as a special contributor. She has been on the organization’s staff since 2009 in development and previously worked as a TV reporter.

Prairie Public began looking for a show host earlier this year after previous host Merrill Piepkorn stepped aside to focus on his traveling production, “Dakota Air: The Radio Show.”