How to survive MAUL OF THE DEAD

The first Young Company show of the 2013-2014 season is MAUL OF THE DEAD by Mitch Brian, Directed by Jennifer Adams.

MAUL OF THE DEAD is an action-packed comedy about a group of teens who are trapped in a mall during the holiday season and have to use their collective wits to try and survive against the undead; a holiday classic, right?

 Here are a few important things to know if you are going to survive the impending invasion:

1. Know your enemy… knowledge is power…

First Stage’s Young Company is a pre-professional training program for high school students. Students work throughout the year on a variety of theater skills including Acting Theory, Shakespeare, Voice & Speech, and Movement. They also have the opportunity to audition for Young Company productions such as this season’s shows: Maul of the Dead, Songs for a New World, and Romeo and Juliet. These productions further the theater training of our young people by providing them with an opportunity to put what they are learning in the classroom to work on the stage. Students who participate in Young Company shows are essentially taking an additional class!

2. Never go off alone…

Bring lots of friends when you come; you’ll need someone to grab onto when you’re scared, and someone to team up with if you need to make a run for it. Our students appreciate the opportunity to perform for an audience. The give and take between the actor and the audience is an experience that can’t really be explained, but once an actor figures out how to feed off the audience’s energy and use it in his or her work, they have attained a new level of acting expertise. Plus, the more of us who are prepared for a Zombie takeover, the better off we’ll be, right?

3. Blend in with the crowds at night….

One of the best ways to avoid a zombie attack is to blend in with the zombies! At the Saturday 10 p.m. performance, come dressed in your best zombie outfit for the chance to win the Zombie Costume Contest. Prizes will be given to the top three zombies. Wardrobe and make-up is the quickest way to change your appearance and helps actors really get into their characters.

4. Don’t get bitten…

There are a lot of ways you can defend yourself during a zombie attack and you might pick up a few at the performance. The show is full of action including the use of weapons such as guns and chainsaws. You may also pick up some hand-to-hand stage combat to defend yourself if they end up taking over! The opportunity to learn and rehearse stage combat is a great training opportunity for the actors in the production. Stage combat is a highly valued skill among actors and these students will improve their balance, hand eye coordination, body control, and self-awareness.

5. Don’t be late… zombies always go after the stragglers…

Performances of Maul of the Dead will be in Youth Arts Hall at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center.

• -       Friday December 6th at 7:00 p.m.
• -       Saturday December 7th at 3:30, 7:00 & 10:00 p.m.
• -       Sunday December 8th at 3:30 & 7:00 p.m.

All tickets are $12 (or $10 for First Stage Family Package holders) and can be purchased online at www.FirstStage.org or through the First Stage Box Office at (414) 267-2961.

Alumni Spotlight: Nate Lewellyn

We recently caught up with Milwaukee native and First Stage Alumni Nate Lewellyn.  Currently based in Chicago, Nate has worked with Chicago Shakespeare (Follies), Porchlight Music Theatre (Gifts of the Magi), Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire (Joseph… and How Can You Run with a Shell on Your Back?), Chicago Children’s Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre and others.  Nate can currently be seen in Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s FOREVER PLAID as Frankie.

When did you get involved with First Stage and how long were you a student/young performer?
I first became involved with First Stage when I started the Theater Academy in the summer prior to fifth grade.  That was the earliest one could start, at that time.  But both of my older sisters were interested in theatre and spent a few summers as Academy students as well.  If it wasn’t for their interest, I do not know if I would have enrolled.  I continued with the academy for another six years, performed in two Company Class productions (A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Hamlet), and two First Stage Main Stage productions (Arthur – the Boy Who Would be King and The Little Match Girl’s Christmas Gift).

What is a favorite First Stage memory?
I will always remember our Classical Company Class performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  We were such a close-knit group and we had so much fun throughout the four weeks of rehearsal that I don’t think we realized how good the show actually was.  And then we got in front of the audience and they were roaring with laughter.  During the final act, in the play within the play, Brendan Titley as Flute/Thisbe full on kissed the dead Bottom/Pyramus, played by Paul Gagne, on the mouth in an inspired, unrehearsed moment.  I was grateful that, as Lysander, I was able to laugh along.  It was probably the first time I understood that as a group of theatre artists, we are able to change the energy in the room and bring together strangers in a moment of shared experience.  It was a moment, certainly, when theatre stopped being all about my personal experience and became about a shared art form, and how the audience plays just as big of a role as any individual actor.

How has First Stage helped you in your current career?
My experience at First Stage (both in the Academy and the productions) taught me invaluable skills as an artist.  I did not have acting class in high school, and there were many techniques and skills that I learned in the Academy that helped me transition into the more serious world of collegiate theatre.  I also started my love for Shakespeare through First Stage.  Without that base line of classical experience, I do not think I’d be as comfortable with that material as I am today.  And finally, the friends I made at First Stage offered me a community where I was able to learn about myself and grow into the person I am.  I’m still a pretty shy person, and a self-proclaimed introvert, but through my time at First Stage I feel like I’ve been able to find skills to trust who I am as a person, and let my true self shine through.

Adam Estes (back row), Paul Helm, Anand Nagraj (back row) and Nate Lewellyn in
Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s Forever Plaid. Photo by Michael Brosilow.

What has been the most exciting about coming home to perform at The Rep?
I have certainly loved being able to be back home for Forever Plaid.  It’s been a really wonderful time and I get to share the stage with three incredibly fun and talented guys (and one very talented lady).  Every night has been a joy to take audiences on a trip down memory lane.  It makes me so happy to see the look of recognition on people’s faces when they hear the opening notes of one of their favorite tunes; it’s especially heartwarming when they mouth along to the words.  Plus my parents and my siblings still live in the Milwaukee area, and I’m very grateful for being able to spend this time with them. 

Pageant Starts with a Dance Party

by Amanda Corazzi

It’s fun. It’s big. It’s the 80's!

Rehearsals for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever kicked off with the cast and crew Meet and Greet on Tuesday.

“It’s a holiday favorite at this theater. It’s beloved here and we pay respects to that,” Artistic Director Jeff Schaetzke told the group.

Everyone introduced themselves and their characters. Costume designs with 80's themed outfits and hair were passed around to give the young performers a look into what they will be wearing onstage. "For girls, there is great...hair. We are going to tell you how to wear your hair, and guess what? It wasn't straight," Jeff explained to the group. Set Designer Sarah Hunt-Frank presented the set design and how it will look once completed. 

Sarah Hunt-Frank presents the set design. 

In his big pep talk, Jeff also talked about how this play brings back memories for everyone involved and how it has a great holiday message. It's about relationships with each other, underdogs and not jumping to conclusions about everyone before you see what talents they bring. 

Jeff addresses the whole cast. 

Eloise Field and Hope Stiverson bond over the fact
 that they both are playing Gladys. 

While the cast and crew is working hard to get this production ready, they are ready to have some fun. And there is no better fun than the impromptu 80's dance party that had everyone on their feet. "In the 80's, you danced. Even if you didn't want to," Jeff told everyone. 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever opens November 29 and runs through December 29 at the Todd Wehr Theater. 

Team Yorick Takes Utah by Storm

By Jennifer Adams

This past October, twelve members of the Young Company traveled to Utah for the Utah High School Shakespeare Competition. This is First Stage's seventh year participating in the competition and learning experience and these students shave a lot to say about it!

“What’s better than Shakespeare in the mountains?” said Kiaran Hartnett. “You are surrounded by people who love Shakespeare and you spend your time living and breathing it, whether you’re seeing a show, rehearsing, watching other groups perform, competing or making dorky jokes with your teammates. I left this trip with countless memories”

The students competed in several different rounds throughout the weekend. The Young Company team performed three monologues, a two-person scene, a three-person scene, and a full group ensemble scene.

           

“The ensemble scene we performed was a compilation of storm scenes from several different Shakespeare shows, put together by John Maclay and Matt Daniels,” explained Ellen Sansone. “To make the scene work, we all had to be very in tune to what every person was doing. By doing so, we were able to create the flow and build of a storm through listening and responding to each other with very few predetermined cues while different scenes went on in the middle of our "storm." It was exciting and incredibly cool to perform.”

For the first time in First Stage’s history with the competition, the ensemble scene was chosen to be a part of the competition showcase! The students were incredibly honored to be a part of the showcase.

 “It was fast paced and full of energy," said Max Mainwood.  "An experience that happened in what seemed like seconds”

“I really loved being able to do the scene a second time in Utah,” said Ellen. “One of the coolest moments of the showcase was the very end. At the end of the scene, we build up the storm to a loud roar together and then, by listening to each other, we suddenly stop everything completely and there is just silence. We got that ending closer together than we ever had before and it was chilling! The audience kind of gasped at it and I think we all did a bit too!”

“The feedback we received was incredible,” remembers Max Bahneman. “Hearing the gasps of the students in the showcase audience as we finished brought me to tears. The standing ovation was just an added bonus.”

In addition to competing, the students were able to watch other schools perform. Seeing their peers perform can be an incredible learning experience.

“We were able to see students from the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf perform one of the witches scenes from Macbeth entirely in American Sign Language,” said Ellen. “I was also able to see a student from this school perform one of Benedick’s monologues from Much Ado About Nothing. Seeing Shakespeare performed in ASL was unlike anything I have ever seen before.

Max Bahneman was amazed as well. "They didn't let their disability stop them and it was magical to watch. The ASL group showed what great commitment these kids had to the arts." 

“The school of the deaf touched and inspired me to discover other types of theater and actually learn a bit of sign language,” said Kiaran. “Their performances are beautiful and I really wish I could experience more theater like that!"

“Another interesting group scene we saw was a performance of the scene from Hamlet in which Ophelia goes crazy,” said Ellen. “The group portrayed the scene from Ophelia’s point of view, so the audience could see what was going on in her head. In the beginning, there was a group of six girls singing everything Ophelia was saying/singing, which was very cool. But what blew all of our minds was what they did with Laertes. At first, they had Laertes run in and confront Claudius but when Laertes turned to talk to Ophelia, the group had the Laertes actor’s twin brother join the scene, so Ophelia saw two identical Laertes. The Laertes twins moved and spoke entirely in sync. It was eerie and so cool!”

The students also saw two full Shakespeare productions. They saw Richard II at the Utah Shakespeare Festival and Romeo and Juliet at Southern Utah University, in their outdoor replica of the globe theatre!

“Richard II, played by David Ivers, was such an emotionally strong character, not letting anything back,” said Max Mainwood. “His shifts of emotion between moments were breathtaking, and a perfect example of how one can enthrall an audience by simply being alive and present on stage.”

Beyond all the amazing experiences in performing and watching Shakespeare, the student gained some valuable life experience as well.

"This trip gave me confidence that I am heading in the right direction and that my training is paying off,” said Max Bahneman. “The experience was so amazing that it is hard not to recommend pursuing this trip. Overall, it made me feel prepared for what is next and allowed me to evaluate where I am as an artist and what I still need to work on.”

Ellen agrees, “I feel the competition aspect of this trip helped prepare me for college auditions. The way the competition was set up for individual acts, we had to do three rounds of performing in different rooms for different judges. From what I have heard from other students, this is very similar to college auditions…I feel I have a better understanding of what to expect.”

“The trip makes me feel good about going into theater—it excites me to maybe work in that environment one day,” said Kiaran.

It was a great weekend full of laughter, artistry, dedication, and excitement. The students represented First Stage and themselves in a way that made us all proud. They really are amazing young people who not only deserve acting accolades, but they deserve “I’m an Incredible Human” awards as well!

“There are truly no words to describe the feelings I experienced in those mountains doing what I love to do,” said Max Mainwood. “The family we created will never die and the memories will forever be ingrained in my mind and soul. I was honored to be a part of this trip and will always hold this experience dear to me.”

The final results of the competition are…

Laura Mesrobian took second place overall in monologues. The ensemble scene took first place, and the entire ensemble took second place overall! If you see any of these students, congratulate them on a job well done!

Young Company is one of the audition-only school year intensive classes offered by First Stage Theater Academy. Their next production is Maul of the Dead, December 6-8, 2013 at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center.

Broadway actor Gavin Gregory visits First Stage's Advanced Musical Theater class

Gavin Gregory with Advanced Musical Theater Students

First Stage Theater Academy’s new Advanced Musical Theater class (open by audition only, for grades 5-12) commenced with an exciting master class with seasoned Broadway actor Gavin Gregory.  Currently making his debut with the Milwaukee Repertory Theater in Ragtime, Gavin shared his experiences auditioning and performing on Broadway.  He sang the song “Make Them Hear You” from Ragtime, and worked with students in small groups on the song, focusing on the musicality and theatricality of the piece.  

While Gavin is making his debut in Milwaukee, he is no stranger to musical theater. He has appeared on Broadway in The Color Purple, The Lion King and Porgy and Bess. He has also been in many productions across the country including Ragtime, The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Violet, Chess and Ananse, The African Spiderman and Black Nativity.  Gavin was able to share his vast stage experience while working with the students in an intimate group setting. 

Working with professional artists is an integral part of the class, part of the Academy’s School Year Intensive series.  Students will not only hone their skills, but gain a firm understanding of techniques including how, why and when to use them.  “It’s such a unique experience to be able to work side by side with professionals of this caliber,” said Academy Director Katie Cummings.  “We’re excited to be able to bring in professionals to inspire the students and prompt them to grow as individual artists.”

Advanced Musical Theater is brand new to the list of intensive classes offered by the Academy. This audition-only class of 25 is the perfect opportunity for students who are interested in advancing their musical theater skills and stepping up to the next level of training. Professionals like Gavin will work with these students throughout the year, breaking down elements of singing and dancing, and putting them back together. Students will receive weekly individual feedback as well as work as an ensemble to give them an understanding of techniques, make their performances shine, and create characters using text, music and movement.   

Learn more about First Stage Theater Academy.

More than Your Typical Fairy Tale

By Amanda Corazzi

Fiona (Elizabeth Telford), Donkey
(Lamar Jefferson) and Shrek
(John Maclay) go on a journey.  

Princesses that need to be rescued, knights in shining armor, and once upon a time…These are what come to mind when people usually think of fairy tales. First Stage’s SHREK THE MUSICAL has all these elements but is not your typical fairy tale. Based off the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William Steig, SHREK THE MUSICAL tells the story of Shrek the ogre and his “trusty steed” Donkey as they work to rescue Princess Fiona.

On this journey, Shrek learns that heroes can come in the most unlikely forms and to raise his Freak Flag high!  The musical goes deeper in teaching what it means to be a good friend, how to be courageous and what it means to love someone for who they are on the inside. 

“It will be a Shrek that no one has ever seen before, and the perfect show to begin this season,” said Artistic Director Jeff Frank. “For all of us who have ever felt like a freak at one time or another, this show gives us a chance to celebrate our uniqueness and let our freak flags fly!”

Shrek makes his first friend in Donkey, whether he likes it or not. Lamar Jefferson, who plays Donkey in First Stage’s adaptation, loves the musical songs that bring life to the production and the characters.

Lord Farquaad (Matt Daniels) and the
Duloc Performers

“I think it does dive into a little bit of the emotional side, a little bit more than the movie did,” said Lamar. “It still has all the humor, all the laughter, all the fun of the movie and still delivers the great message of ‘we might be different but, hey, being different is great.’”

He says the songs give a good look into the character’s inner thoughts and background. It’s also a way to get one of the messages out. The character of Gingy says “We spend our whole lives wishing we weren’t so freaking strange.” By the end of the musical, the characters learn how to accept their differences and not to mold to everyone else. Shrek learns that even a big, ugly ogre can be a hero and win the princess’s heart. Fiona realizes that looks are not everything and you should never hide who you are meant to be.

“It’s not about molding into some society of being similar or being in a clique,” said Tommy Novak who plays the Big Bad Wolf. “It’s really a beautiful story because it has a message of be who you want to be and that’s okay. We’re all different but we need to embrace that difference.”

Young performers in Shrek The Musical, Night Cast

In the musical, Shrek embraces how he is different, and raises his Freak Flag with the other fairy tale characters. During the run of Shrek, local students and theater goers are invited to fly Freak Flags in the lobby. These Freak Flags encourage children to celebrate what is unique about them, and embrace what makes them special in a positive way like Shrek. Children can make their own Freak Flag when they come to the theater, or you can download your freak flag before the show. 

“I think it’s a really fun show for families to see,” said young performer Mari Duckler who plays Teen Fiona in the Day Cast. “There’s humor for kids and there’s humor for adults. It’s so touching at points and yet so fun and hilarious at others.”

Lamar agrees. “People are going to love it; they’re going to eat the show up. It’s going to be great.”

SHREK THE MUSICAL runs through November 17, 2013. 

Bringing Hollywood Magic to First Stage

by Amanda Corazzi

How do you transform a man into an ogre? That is one of the challenges facing the costume shop at First Stage for the upcoming production of Shrek The Musical. Fiona might have had the witch’s curse to change her into the ogre in the story but First Stage had to find its own magic to transform actor and First Stage Associate Artistic Director John Maclay into Shrek. Luckily, First Stage Costume Designer Brandon Kirkham knows just the right prosthetics wizard, Lauren Wilde to help out with this production. 

Working quickly to apply the alginate:  Costume Shop
Manager Jenny Thurnau, Costume Crafts Artisan Brandon
Kirkham and Prosthetics Artist Lauren Wilde.

Originally from Peachtree City, Georgia, Lauren started her love of the arts while receiving her Bachelor of Music degree from Louisiana State University. She continued her interest by receiving her Master’s degree in Wig and Makeup Design from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, one of the top design schools in the nation. Now based out of Los Angeles, she works as a freelance makeup and special effects artist specializing in prosthetics, makeup design and wig building. 

Brandon met Lauren in Milwaukee at the 2013 conference for the United States Institute of Theater Technology (USITT) in March. He came across Lauren’s booth where she was showcasing her work at the Young Designers/Technicians Forum, an exhibition of 30 handpicked, recent design and tech graduates of Master’s programs from around the country.  Brandon was instantly fascinated by some creature feet she created and started talking about bringing her on board to create all the ogre prosthetics for Shrek The Musical. 

Thanks to the team at First Stage, arrangements were made and Lauren returned to Milwaukee to help produce the prosthetics for the production and show the First Stage costume team how to apply everything for the show. Lauren started designing the prosthetics by following Brandon’s renderings of Shrek which were similar to the Broadway show.

Lauren smooths the layers of plaster. 

Lauren started the process by creating a mold of John’s head, a process that takes around 90 minutes. After covering John’s head in a skull cap, she covered his head and shoulders in a blue paste called prosthetic alginate, the same material used for making dental impressions!  The alginate was then covered in five to six layers in plaster to help set the mold. From these two elements, Lauren constructed casts to build the final ogre creation.

Jenny and Lauren prepare to remove the mold as
John's ordeal nears the end.

In addition to John’s head pieces, she will create eyebrows, a chin, a separate nose, and gloves with latex knuckles and fingernails – the finishing touch to the ogre look. In the end, Lauren will have created two sets of reusable prosthetics for John and the other ogres to use for the run of the show.

According to Brandon, Shrek The Musical is one of the largest projects the costume shop has taken on. The production team started talking about practical and technical aspects in March and designs were completed by the beginning of June. Production started work on the intricate costumes at the end of June. Each costume is very specific in its design and almost every element is built from scratch.

For more behind the scenes magic from First Stage's 2013-2014 season, visit our Facebook and Twitter pages regularly.

Shrek The Musical runs October 11- November 17 at the Todd Wehr Theater.

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In the past year, Lauren's work has been nationally and internationally showcased, received the 2013 National Makeup Design Award by Kryolan, and was chosen to be a part of the 2013 USITT Young Designers' Forum and the IMATS Battle of the Brushes International Character Competition. To find out more about Lauren and her amazing work, visit her website.