High School Theatre DayFriday, November 8, 2024 | 2-6 p.m.
Schaefer Fine Arts Center | $10 Admission
The Department of Theatre & Dance at Gustavus Adolphus College is offering a theatre day for high school students (grades 9-12) the afternoon of Friday, November 8. Students may choose from a variety of workshops taught by theatre faculty (see information below). Students will receive free dinner on campus and a free ticket to that evening’s performance of Our Town by Thornton Wilder.
Cost is $10, and registration is required. Space is limited, so please register early.
Fee includes workshops, dinner on campus and tickets to the play for the student.
IF YOU ARE A TEACHER who will be bringing students, please email Kristi Borowy <kborowy@gustavus.edu> so we can reserve a ticket to the play for you.
Schedule - Friday, November 8
2:00- 2:30 p.m.
- Check-In
2:30- 2:55 p.m.
- Admissions Presentation
3:00-3:15 p.m.
- Welcome
3:20-4:10 p.m.
- Workshops
4:10-4:20 p.m.
- Break
4:20-5:10 p.m.
- Workshops
5:15-5:45 p.m.
- Tour of Theatre & Dance Spaces
5:45-6:20 p.m.
- Q&A
6:30 p.m.
- Dinner at the Jackson Campus Center Marketplace dining hall. The Marketplace has excellent food and a variety of options, including choices for those with food allergies.
Link to menu for the day.
8:00 p.m.
- Performance of Our Town by Thornton Wilder in the Rob and Judy Gardner Laboratory Theatre
2024: What do we want to make of our town? In a year of noise, Our Town offers a quiet meditation: on growing up and marrying and living and dying. Through its minimalist staging and direct storytelling, Wilder invites us to rediscover wonder in the ordinary and calls for a re-enchantment of our perception of the world.
Workshops
Workshop choices are listed below. A link to select workshops will be provided after you submit your registration. Space is limited in workshops; register as soon as possible for the most options.
Performance Workshop with Professor Henry MacCarthy
In this introductory session we will explore the role of tempo performance, engaging physically and vocally with time and space. The workshop emphasizes collaboration and creativity in a non-competitive environment.
SFX Makeup- Wounds and Scars with Professor Laurie Land
Explore the world of special effects makeup in this hands-on workshop, where you'll learn to create realistic wounds and scars using professional makeup techniques. You'll discover how to craft detailed injury effects, perfect for film, cosplay, or Halloween. No experience necessary—just bring your creativity!
Stage Lighting 101 with Professor Jared Land
Ever wanted to dive straight into lighting for theatre and dance? Curious what the different types are used for? How to hang, control, and focus them? Join us for a hands on demo on the standard equipment used in live performance and practice for yourself how to set up a basic lighting system.
Improvisation for Theatre with Professor Matt Trucano
Discover the art of improvisation and unlock your creativity! In this workshop, you'll explore a variety of techniques to develop original characters, build dynamic relationships, and bring scenes to life on the spot. Through fun, interactive exercises, you’ll learn how to think quickly, stay in the moment, and collaborate with your fellow performers to create compelling, spontaneous theatre.
Makerspace Theatre: 3D Printing and CNC projects with Professor Matt Rightmire
3D printing and CNC machining are not just for industrial work or homemade arts & crafts. Technology can help us realize designs, prototype solutions, and make precision parts for scenery, props, costumes, models, and more! See our machines in action and samples of what can be created with these versatile tools.
MEISA: Movement - Exploration - Imagination - Sensation - Awareness with Professor Melissa Rolnick
This workshop will introduce the student to the MEISA form. Directed, sustained movement practice will encourage mobility, physical expression, creativity and a deepening of embodied knowing. MEISA provides an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in moving with less tension, increased range, and enhanced physical expression.
Arrival and Parking
- Gustavus Adolphus College is located at 800 West College Avenue in St. Peter, Minnesota. Here is a link to the location on Google Maps. You can also find a campus map here, and the building is located at the intersection of E-4, where it says Theatre and Dance Wing.
- There is free visitor parking in the Arboretum parking lots (lots M or N). If that is full, you can park in the Norelius Hall visitor parking lot near the Jackson Campus Center, but you will have a five minute walk to the Fine Arts building.
- After parking in the Arboretum lot, there will be signs and people to bring you to the registration area in the Schaefer Fine Arts Center, near Anderson Theatre.
- If you will be bringing a school bus, drivers can drop students off near the Arboretum parking lots and students will enter the Schaefer Fine Arts Center. There will be signs and people to bring your group to the registration area. Following drop-off, bus drivers can park along the road near the baseball fields (map link). If the drivers don't intend to stay with the buses, our Campus Safety officers can offer them a ride back to the Fine Arts Building (or other area) after drop off.
Parents/Guardians
Parents/guardians are welcome to explore the campus during the workshops and have dinner with their student. Downtown St. Peter has various shops, an arts center, and coffee shops/restaurants to visit. We are anticipating that the play will be sold out for this performance because of this special event, so you may not be able to see the production. Be sure to check at the door in case tickets are available, but there is no guarantee that there will be seats left.
Contact
If you have any questions or need more information about the day, please contact Kristi Borowy at kborowy@gustavus.edu or Miguel Sousa at msousa@gustavus.edu.