Theatre Arts at Daytona State College

Dearly Departed is OPEN!!!

2010-11-12T05:03:00.000-08:00

Meet the Turpins!

Make sure you catch Dearly Departed this weekend! You don't want to miss it. The cast and crew have done a fantastic job and audiences are rolling in aisles.

The show is tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30 pm in the Gillespy Theatre at the News Journal Center. Tickets are free to Daytona State students and only 8 dollars for adults.

Tomorrow night we are visited by two KCACTF (Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival) responders. I am very excited for our students to share this with them. Very proud of you all!!

Geoffrey Kershner

Director of Theatre

New Daytona State Theatre Video!

2010-10-25T20:05:00.000-07:00

OPENING NIGHT!

2010-10-15T10:45:00.001-07:00

It is opening night for Anna in the Tropics!

Make sure to check it out! Our students have done wonderful work. I had the opportunity to watch the final dress rehearsal last night.

October 15-16 and 22-23, 7:30pm

October 17 and 24, 2:30pm

J.M. Goddard Theater

Daytona Beach Campus

For online ticket information: http://www.daytonastate.edu/TheArts/

Read about the production in the News Journal's GO 360.

Geoffrey Kershner

Director of Theatre

Rollin'!

2010-10-06T11:19:00.001-07:00

Brianna and Corina with cigar tobacco

The Anna in the Tropics cast have been hard at work over the last month. The play is set in a cigar factory in Ybor City in 1929. This means the cast is learning how to roll cigars as a part of their rehearsal prep. This is one of the things I love about doing theatre in higher education. You learn so much more than just the logistics of theatrical production, but you learn about other cultures, history, and other ways of life.

Victor, Brianna, and Corina roll

Emo and Kristen show off their new skill set

I know director Walter Kmiec's has been thrilled with the work of the cast. The show opens next Friday! For info, visit: http://www.daytonastate.edu/thearts/Drama_performances.html

For more info on the show: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_in_the_Tropics

Don't miss it!

Geoffrey Kershner
Director of Theatre

Fall Auditions!

2010-08-13T12:09:00.000-07:00

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (August 15, 2010) - The Daytona State College School of Music, Entertainment and Art announces upcoming auditions for ANNA IN THE TROPICS and DEARLY DEPARTED.

Nilo Cruz’s Pulitzer Prize winning play Anna in the Tropics, takes place in Ybor City, a section of Tampa, Florida. This Tony Award nominated play examines the lives of Cuban immigrants working in a cigar factory in the 1930s.

Dearly Departed revolves around the Turpin family living in the Baptist backwoods of the Bible Belt. Despite their earnest efforts to pull themselves together for their father’s funeral, the Turpin’s hilarious problems keep overshadowing the solemn occasion. This drop dead funny comedy has delighted audiences across the southern states for the last decade.

Auditions will be held on the Daytona Beach Campus, bldg. 230, in the Goddard Theater on September 1st from 2 to 5 p.m. and September 2^nd from 7- 10p.m. Come prepared to improvise and do cold readings.

Production dates for Anna in the Tropics are Oct. 15-24^th and production dates for Dearly Departed are Nov. 10-14th. Visit www.DaytonaState.edu/TheArts for ticket and additional information about performance schedule.

The Daytona Beach Campus is located at 1200 W. Int'l Speedway Blvd. For additional information call (386) 506-4607.

2010-05-12T08:38:00.000-07:00

Cast for:

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead

Rosencrantz:

Victor C. Hernandez

Guildenstern:

Spencer Meeks

Player:

Ryan Bathurst

Alfred:

Gage Spry

Hamlet:

Scott Harrell

Gertrude:

Alyssa Morris

Ophelia:

Emily Sartore

Claudius:

Ryan French

Polonius:

Stephen Cowley

Horatio/Enesmble:

Aaron Green

Ambassador/Ensemble:

Minas Favrajian

Soldier/Ensemble:

Lenny Owens

Tragedians:

Sarah Bebergal

Kaylin Chrisley

Sally Evans

Javad Osivand

(The schedule for the first week will be distributed by tomorrow afternoon)

Thank You to everyone who auditioned!

GREAT RUN!

2010-04-18T09:06:00.000-07:00

So, it has been a wonderful run and I am very very proud of The Arabian Nights cast. Here are some pictures taken by Jamie Tamm and by myself. We had very large audiences and the response was full and warm. This 24 member ensemble did fantastic work. Each member was vital and crucial to this show's success. BRAVO!!

Here is a little pre-show ritual of the men in the cast. Watch and enjoy. :)

Then the entire group, including myself joined the on the final performance. :)

Geoffrey Kershner

Director of Theatre

One week from opening!!

2010-04-02T08:53:00.001-07:00

Here is Alejandro practicing his fire breathing for the top of the show. So much fun.

So, we are one week away from our opening on Thursday, April 8th and things are starting to shape up. It is quite a feat orchestrating a 24 member ensemble in a piece with so many moving parts, but the actors are getting stronger everyday and there is little piece of everyone in this show. That is what is really exciting about working on an ensemble piece like this, is that everyone is contributing. Ideas and moments are created by the group, which is difficult but has an exciting result.

The space is also starting to shape up. Lanterns are beginning to fly in and the aesthetic of the environment develops more and more everyday. It is going to be really very beautiful when it is all said and done.

We are also getting a response from KCACTF on the Friday after opening. Shelly Elman the Chair of Region 4 and the co-chair Jeff Green will be responding to the show during their visit to the school in preparation for next year's festival on our campus. Very exciting!

A little more of the "FAMILY DANCE!!!"

Hope to see you there! April 8th!!!

Geoffrey Kershner

Director of Theatre

Jumping into the News Journal Center!

2010-03-11T07:34:00.000-08:00

We have moved into the News Journal Center! I love the Gillespy Theater so much. What a wonderful space.

This week we began to work Act 1 in the theater.We are now in "working" rehearsals which are my favorite part of the rehearsal process. The show is "staged" and now we refine, explore, and tighten.

Above is Abu Al-Husan's great escape. The lyrics of the song express it all...

Stay tuned for more...

Geoffrey Kershner

Director of Theatre

We are hosting the KCACTF Region 4 Festival!

2010-03-09T07:04:00.001-08:00

It is official! We are hosting the Region 4 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in February! This is very exciting. We will have theatre programs from all over the Southeast joining us in Daytona Beach next year for a wonderful week of theatre. The best plays from the region will perform each night at the News Journal Center, the top student actors from the region will compete on our campus for the prestigious Irene Ryan scholarship, the top student theatrical designs will be on display in the News Journal Center lobby, and new plays will be read all week! This is a wonderful opportunity for our students and faculty!

Stay tuned!

Geoffrey Kershner
Director of Theatre

The Arabian Nights: Rehearsals Begin!

2010-02-17T19:59:00.001-08:00

FAMILY DANCE!!!

The Arabian Nights has begun! Last week we began table work. (Gage, nice face ;). Bridget and Alejandro look possessed ;) ). We have a wonderful cast assembled and I am so excited to begin work on this project. The cast is very large and their is a plethora of characters. This is both exciting but also complex to manage. Lindsey (our wonderful stage manager) has her hands full with this one!
This week we began staging. The beauty of this show is that we are very aware of the actors as actors. They interact with the audience directly and ensemble members are always in the space, even when they are not in the main action of the play. Here we can see Kenny and JP in an early scene while other ensemble members look on from pillows and trunks that hold props, clothing and instruments.

As a special treat, here is a little video sample from last night's work. Here we see a husband trying to worm his way out of his marriage by bring in a "party of fools" who pretend to be his family to pry the father of the bride from the marriage bond. Here we see the "fools" and the early staging of their "family dance."

What more can be said...

Geoffrey Kershner
Director of Theatre

A successful KCACTF 2010

2010-02-07T11:32:00.000-08:00

Well, I must say that Daytona State's first KCACTF in nearly a decade was a success. Our student's represented themselves very well. Lindsey did an excellent job stage managing the New Play Festival, Kristina represented herself very well with her costume designs, and our actors hung with the best that the Southeast had to offer.

Audience members await the start of the Irene Ryan finals

Melissa and JP made it to the finals and were showcased with 16 other groups in the Tucker Theater at Middle Tennessee State University. There was a fantastic group of actors performing and Melissa and JP did wonderful work. I was immensely proud of their work and their achievement. They were among the elite in our region and belonged. They did not make the final cut, but their achievement is nothing to scoff at. We were all very proud of them.

Melissa and JP at their rehearsal for the finals on Friday morning

We made the 10 hour drive in one haul yesterday and arrived back in Daytona as a race was letting out at the Speedway. It was a fitting welcome home from Daytona Beach and I know many of us were happy to return to some warmer weather.

Tomorrow we begin The Arabian Nights! Very exciting! Stay tuned!

Geoffrey Kershner

Director of Theatre

We did it!

2010-02-04T21:37:00.000-08:00

This is the lamest photo posted, but it is of the semifinal round audience (I left my camera in my motel room tonight). I am so proud of the work that Sloan, Aaron, Melissa, and JP did today. They represented Daytona State with professionalism, skill, and excitement. They have done incredible work this week.

I am proud to announce that both Sloan and Aaron have been invited to call-backs for the Actor's Theatre of Louisville and that Melissa and JP have made it to the finals for the Irene Ryan scholarship.

Tomorrow Melissa and JP will compete with the final 16 candidates for the honor of representing the southeast in Washington DC. This is a massive accomplishment and a great honor. Tomorrow Melissa will add a monologue to the two scenes that she performed with JP.

So proud.

Geoffrey Kershner

Director of Theatre

We live to perform another day!

2010-02-03T22:28:00.000-08:00

Above are the Irene Ryan Semifinalists celebrating after the announcement

There are 400 hundred actors who arrived at the festival to audition for the prestigious Irene Ryan Scholarship. Of the 200 groups (2 actors who are partnered) only 32 move on to the semifinal round on Thursday. I am very proud to announce that 2 of our 3 groups advanced (and in my opinion the third was absolutely deserving as well) to the semi-finals. Many schools are lucky to have one group advance and we have two! Sloan, Aaron, Melissa and JP will compete tomorrow.

Here is Sloan and Aaron after their first round audition.

I also spent the day in the first round. I was serving as respondent. I sat in with the two judges (there were two audition rooms with two judges each) and watched a "flight" which consists of four group auditions. Then I would relay my notes and the judges notes to the actors (one on one outside). This gave me a wonderful chance to see performers from all over the region. There were many strong performers and ALL of our actor's work stood up. I was just as proud of Paige and Gage's work. Their preparation and hard work was unmatched.

Before the evening's performance of Ladybug

I also met with the chair of Region 4 today and we discussed the strong possibility of hosting next year's festival in Daytona. This would be very exciting. I also think the region is excited about escaping the snow and hitting the beach!

Melissa, Sloan, and Lindsey

Gage...

JP and Paige

Sloan and Aaron rehearsing the semifinal round performance in their room

So, tomorrow I will work with Melissa, JP, Aaron and Sloan on their semifinal auditions. Round one was one two person scene. Now they will perform that scene and add a second contrasting two person scene. We have a rehearsal in the space in the morning and then they will all perform in the afternoon.

Break a leg you all!

Geoffrey Kershner

Director of Theatre

KCACTF or bust!

2010-02-02T12:14:00.001-08:00

A report from the front lines: The Daytona State Theatre Program has landed in Murfreesboro, TN! We are very excited. Six of our actors (JP, Gage, Aaron, Melissa, Paige, and Sloan), a costume designer (Kristina) and a stage manager (Lindsey) are ready to compete for awards in this national competition (The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival). I will also be serving as a responder for Irene Ryan Award auditions.

We made the 10 hour drive by leaving Daytona at around 3pm yesterday. We made a pit stop in Marietta, GA and then finished the last leg of the trip today. We also gained an hour as we entered Central Time!!

SNOW!! This group from Daytona Beach was THRILLED to see snow on the ground. An impromptu snow ball fight broke out when we arrived at the motel in Murfreesboro. I also heard rumor of a snow man being made, but this two day old snow might not hold up too well. I am keeping my fingers crossed though.

Keep your fingers crossed for our students as well! They have all worked very hard on their auditions and presentations and I am so proud of them. Also, a big thank you to SGA for the funding for this trip. You all are awesome.

More soon from Tennessee!

Geoffrey Kershner

Director of Theatre

I Never Saw Another Butterfly

2010-01-30T07:35:00.000-08:00

This weekend Melissa Cassese opened her production of I Never Saw Another Butterfly. I am so very proud of the work Melissa has done. Here are some of the images as you enter the theatre. Audiences members are greeted by Nazi guards who demand tickets, stamp you hand, and then demand that you turn off your cell phone and take your seat.

Before the show starts the audiences watched images of children from the Nazi Concentration Camps. Then as the show begins, the Nazi guards move fencing into place as the actors playing children enter space.

Below is video of audience members entering the theatre

Make sure to catch the show! Tonight at 7:30pm and tomorrow at 2:30pm. The Goddard Theater on the Daytona Beach Campus! They have done wonderful work!

Geoffrey Kershner

Director of Theatre

Let's get ready to rumble!

2010-01-25T14:32:00.001-08:00

(Cast list for THE ARABIAN NIGHTS, one post below)

This weekend the Daytona State College Theatre Program held a two day stage combat workshop. Read the article in the New Journal!

Here are some pictures from the article.

Below is video of a group hair pull. You don't see that everyday! ;)

Geoffrey Kershner

Director of Theatre

The Arabian Nights Cast List

2010-01-24T04:42:00.000-08:00

The following is the cast list for the spring production of Mary Zimmerman's THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.

*If you accept your role please email your acceptance to kershng@daytonastate.edu. Shortly you will be emailed a detailed rehearsal schedule and instructions on how to pick up your script. Rehearsals will begin at 7pm on Monday, February 8th.

This was a really difficult cast list to assemble. There was an incredible group who came out for auditions. Even if you were not cast, I encourage you to continue to audition for future productions, get involved with student directed projects, and volunteer back stage. It was a pleasure to meet you all.

-Geoffrey Kershner, Director of Theatre

CAST

Melissa Cassese: First woman (Scheherezade)

Jerica O'Neal: Second woman (Dunyazade, Dancer)

Kayla David: Third woman (Perfect Love, Other Woman)

Bridget Morris: Fourth woman (Slave Girl, Girl in the Garden, Sleeper, Woman by the River)

Paige Poteet: Fifth woman (Bride, Singer, Mother, Experienced Woman, First Sister in Law, First Woman by the River

Renee Hakim: Sixth woman (Dancer, Sympathy the Learned, Harun's Second Girl, Experienced Woman, Little Girl, Second Sister in Law)

Emily Gilardi: Seventh Woman (Jester's Wife, Harun's First Girl, Tortoise and Little Girl)

Tatiana Paris: Eighth Woman (Azizah, Little Foot and Second Genie)

Adelya Aldieva: Ninth Woman (Lead Dancer, Woman by the River)

Bri Long: Tenth Woman (Dancer, Woman by the River)

Cristina Contreras: Eleventh Woman (Dancer, Woman by the River)

Amanda Patanio: Twelfth Woman (Ensemble)

JP Stasiak: First Man (Sharyar, Mock Khalifah/Aziz)

Gage Spry: Second Man (Harun al-Rashid; Sheikh al-Islam, both Kings (Confusion of Stories)

Kenny Daniels: Third Man (Wazir (to Shahryar), Fool, Clarinetist, Old Boatman, Friend, Desert Thief, and Farmer)

Zach Zavala: Fourth Man (Camel, Figure, Fool, Genie, Donkey)

Aaron Green: Fifth Man (Prince of Fools, Jester, Sympathy's brother, Hard head and first Genie)

Sloan Drafton: Sixth Man (Jafar, Fool, Pastrycook, Sheikhal Fadl)

Scott Webb: Seventh Man (Fool, Third Sage, Bilateral the Pederast, Ishak of Mosul)

Spencer Meeks: Eighth Man (Shop Assistant, Poor Man, Ala al-din abu Shamat)

Victor Hernandez: Ninth Man (Chief of Keys, Man in the Dream, Abu al Hasan, First Sage, Masrur, Prince)

Alejandro M. Guevarez: Tenth Man (Camel, Madman, Chief of Police, Second Sage, Sleeper)

BJ Walton: Eleventh Man: (Farmer, Friend, and Desert Thief)

Jurden Rogers: Twelfth Man (Kadi, Friend, Desert thief, Farmer)

Brian King: Thirteenth Man (Ensemble)

Student works program begins!

2010-01-20T15:39:00.001-08:00

Director Melissa Cassese at work

Melissa Cassese's production of I Never Saw Another Butterfly by Celeste Raspanti kicks of the new Coca-Cola Student Production Program at Daytona State College. I had the opportunity to watch a run through this afternoon and was very excited by what I saw.

Melissa has assembled a fantastic group of students who are playing a wide variety of roles from small children to Nazi soldiers in this Holocaust play. This very powerful piece of theatre is a wonderful project for both Melissa and our students. I was thrilled to see the work the students were doing this afternoon.

Melissa led the actors through a warm up, stage manager Paige Poteet kept things organized, and costume designer Kristina Lomelin conducted fittings and took notes before the run through of the show.

The run through was very successful. The company is in very good shape as they prepare for their opening a week from tomorrow. Make sure to come see them! The show dates are January 28th, 29th, and 30th at 7:30pm and January 31st at 2:30pm in the Goddard Theater on the Daytona Beach Campus.

Geoffrey Kershner
Director of Theatre

Spring Auditions! The Arabian Nights and Godspell!

2010-01-07T06:06:00.000-08:00

Auditions announced for Daytona State production of GODSPELL

January 19, 2010 at 3 p.m., January 20 at 6:30 p.m. and January 21 at 3 p.m.

bldg. 230, room 123

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - The Daytona State College School of Music, Entertainment and Art announces upcoming auditions for GODSPELL, a musical based on the Gospel according to St. Matthew. Males and females ages 16-30 are welcome.

Auditions will be held on the Daytona Beach Campus, bldg. 230, room 123 on January 19, 2010 at 3 p.m., January 20 at 6:30 p.m. and January 21 at 3 p.m. Come prepared to sing, dance, improvise and do cold readings. A prepared musical audition piece is optional.

Production dates are February 23 – 27 and March 5 – 7 in the Gillespy Theatre at the News-Journal Center.

The Daytona Beach Campus is located at 1200 W. Int'l Speedway Blvd. For additional information call (386) 506-3524.

January 21 at 7 pm and January 22 at 3 pm

bldg. 230, in the Goddard Theater

Auditions announced for Daytona State production of THE ARABIAN NIGHTS

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - The Daytona State College School of Music, Entertainment and Art announces upcoming auditions for THE ARABIAN NIGHTS, an adaptation by Tony Award winning director and playwright Mary Zimmerman. All ages, genders, and ethnicities are welcome.

Auditions will be held on the Daytona Beach Campus, bldg. 230, in the Goddard Theater on January 21, at 7 p.m. and January 22 at 3 p.m. Come prepared to improvise and do cold readings. A prepared musical audition piece is optional (singing not required to participate in the show).

Production dates are April 7 – 18 in the Gillespy Theatre at the News-Journal Center.

The Daytona Beach Campus is located at 1200 W. Int'l Speedway Blvd. For additional information call (386) 506-4607.

Congrats Romeo and Juliet

2009-11-24T07:52:00.000-08:00

Romeo and Juliet completed their two week run this past Sunday. The cast finished their performances to sold outcrowds and the school is very proud of their hard work. The show was also produced in tandem with the Shakespeare Festival sponsored by the English Department. Some of our performers ran worksshops for the festival and this was also met with great success. Bravo R and J!

Geoffrey Kershner
Director of Theatre

Swords are in!

2009-10-22T04:04:00.000-07:00

Our rapiers and daggers arrived from Weapons of Choice and the actors are finally getting the opportunity to set down their wooden dowels. Here is Romeo (Rob) and Tybalt (Lloyd) rehearsing with blades, as well as Mercutio (Aaron) and Tybalt (Lloyd) throwing steel.

Geoffrey Kershner

Director of Theatre

Have at thee coward!

2009-10-18T06:00:00.001-07:00

Here is a rehearsal of the Romeo (Rob) and Tybalt (Lloyd) fight in the Daytona State College production of Romeo and Juliet. Once again, they are using wooden dowels until our blades arrive. The blades are coming in next week though! Look for updated video of the fights soon!

Geoffrey Kershner
Director of Theatre

Bravo Transitions

2009-10-14T13:36:00.000-07:00

I have been so proud of the All in the Timing cast and production team's work on scene transitions. I decided to post footage of these super sharp transitions. No single one over 40 seconds!

Geoffrey Kershner
Director of Theatre

Remember thy swashing blow!!

2009-10-14T03:53:00.000-07:00

Here is some of the fight rehearsal for the opening brawl in Daytona State College's production of Romeo and Juliet. It is early in the process, but the students are doing nice work. Because the production is in three quarter thrust we need to create a lot of "contact" punches and kicks because the site lines are broad. You can also see some rapier and dagger work from Benvolio and Tybalt.

*There is one phantom fighter (an actor wasn't present). See if you can spot it... a little like "Where's Waldo."

Geoffrey Kershner
Director of Theatre

Opening Night!

2009-10-09T08:28:00.001-07:00

We are open! The cast of All in the Timing has finally gotten up in front of an audience and I am so very proud of them. The audience was really the final element needed for this production to be completed. The opening night audience was warm, responsive, and the actors did a wonderful job.

We were also visited by Be Boyd (UCF) and Jeff Green (Georgia Southwestern University) who were our KCACTF responders. They gave great feedback and they earnestly enjoyed the evening and were impressed by the work of our cast and crew. I am very proud of everyone.

Now we head into chapter two: the performances. I am excited to watch the individual performances' continued growth. I have no doubt that the shows will continue to mature, progress, and flourish with an audience.

Bravo All in the Timing!

Geoffrey Kershner

Director of Theatre

Tech. It is SO on.

2009-10-06T19:23:00.000-07:00

So, we have reached the tech rehearsal process and we are gearing up for our first audience on Friday. Lindsay our stage manager has done a wonderful job of organizing and preparing us for this process. The set, lights, and costumes are coming into place and everyday we get closer and closer to being "show ready."

Trevor, our lighting technician, has created a fantastic effect in the middle of the stage space. It is a working clock created with light. It is created with three separate gobos, two of which are motorized so that the hands actually operate.

Scott, our incredible TD, has designed a set of working clock cogs that move during scene shifts. Sam, our Technical Supervisor, has been hard at work brainstorming on their operation and function. During each transition there is music from a wide range of genres with the theme of "time." Jeff, our sound designer, has done a wonderful job of digging up songs ranging from Blind Melon to Michael Jackson.

Not all of the shows are fully costumed yet, but costumes are beginning to come into place. Above is Alec and Paige in Universal Language.

Kenny, Nicole and Aaron in The Philadelphia...

Below is Scott and Emily (not in costume yet) in Variations on the Death of Trotsky. Jeff Jordan did an awesome job with the mountain climbers axe "buried" in Trotsky's skull!

On Friday we will be visited by our KCACTF judges (Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival). They will adjudicate the show, which will be an added bonus to the actors and the rest of their process as they move into performance. Stay tuned for performance photos and updates! Bring on the audience!

Geoffrey Kershner
Director of Theatre

Romeo and Juliet: Fight Sneak Peek!

2009-09-30T15:35:00.000-07:00

Today I choreographed the Tybalt and Mercutio fight in Daytona State College's production of Romeo and Juliet. Here is some rehearsal footage of Lloyd (Tybalt) and Aaron (Mercutio) at work. They are using wooden dowels while we wait for our blades to arrive. This is a rapier and dagger fight, common to the Elizabethan period in which Director Bob Arcuri is setting the piece.

Geoffrey Kershner

Director of Theatre

A week from tech!

2009-09-23T18:43:00.001-07:00

We are fast approaching our tech weekend! All the shows are in "working rehearsals"now and we are tweaking, revising, and adjusting each piece. This is the most enjoyable part of the rehearsal process. The actors are off book and are moving through the plays, finding nuance and growing with every run.

Melissa, Spencer, and Anthony in Words, Words, Words

Words, Words, Words

We had a new cast member join The Philadelphia this week. Aaron Green has jumped into the role of Mark and has done a wonderful job in a pinch. Aaron is balancing the role of Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet with The Philadelphia, but due to his hard work and dedication, he came in off book and we didn't miss a beat.

Kenny and Aaron in The Philadelphia

Variations on the Death of Trotsky was the first show I ever directed when I was 17 years old. It has been a blast to return to it. The cast has been hard working and impressive. It has been a joy to come back to this hilarious piece of work by David Ives.

Sloan and Emily in Variations on the Death of Trotsky

Scott and Emily in Variations on the Death of Trotsky

Sloan and Scott in Variations on the Death of Trotsky

More soon!

Geoffrey Kershner

Director of Theatre

Rehearsals Continue

2009-09-14T19:48:00.000-07:00

Here is some video from The Universal Language rehearsal. Here we can see Dawn (Paige) arriving at the School of Unamunda. Then Don (Alec) enters with an Unamunda greeting.

This has been a great week of rehearsals as we continue to stage the five shows. Each show brings with it a different set of challenges and a different set of thrills. The Universal Language is a blast to watch and has been a wonderful challenge for Alec and for Paige because of the invented language that has to be learned, memorized and activated. They have done a wonderful job of meeting the challenge. Tonight's rehearsal was a blast to watch.

Here is Alec (Don) and Paige (Dawn) moving through blocking rehearsal in the Gillespy Theater in the News Journal Center.

Here is Judson (Bill) and Emily (Betty) during their first read through of Sure Thing. We have also been in rehearsal for The Philadelphia and Variations on the Death of Trotsky. Footage and pictures to come...

Geoffrey Kershner

Director of Theatre

Rehearsals Begin!

2009-09-09T19:29:00.001-07:00

So, I arrived at rehearsal a little early today to walk around the space and prepare for rehearsal. I absolutely love the Gillespy Theater. What a fantastic space. Today we began staging for Words, Words, Words which is one of five shows in our Daytona State production of David Ives' All in the Timing. This hilarious one act depicts three monkeys who are attempting to write Hamlet.

Spencer (Milton) and Melissa (Kafka)

Lindsey our fearless stage manager

Melissa, Spencer, and Anthony (Swift) as Lindsey looks on.

Melissa: "What's a Kafka? Why am I a Kafka!?"

Love this bit...

Stay tuned for more photos and video!

Geoffrey Kershner

Director of Theatre

Auditions!

2009-08-17T15:27:00.000-07:00

Auditions for All in the Timing and Romeo and Juliet!

Monday, August 31st @ 3pm

Tuesday, September 1st @ 3pm

Wednesday, September 2nd @6pm

Be prepared to read portions from both scripts. Looking for cast members of all all ages, gender, and race.

Daytona Beach Campus: Building 230

Join us!

Email Professor Kershner with questions: kershng@daytonastate.edu

Hello!

2009-08-01T13:53:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Daytona State College Theatre Arts Blog. My name is Geoffrey Kershner and I am the new Director of Theatre here at DSC. I am very excited to be joining the faculty here in Daytona Beach and I am excited to work with this exciting community, in some incredible facilities, and in an incredible place.

I am thrilled about this year's season which includes David Ives' hilarious series of short plays entitled All in the Timing, a fall classic which will be a part of the new classic play festival at DSC, the musical Godspell, and Mary Zimmerman's adaptation of The Arabian Nights.

I can't wait to get to know the students at DSC and here is a little bit about me:

Geoffrey Kershner

Geoffrey Kershner is the founder and Artistic Director of the Endstation Theatre Company and the Blue Ridge Summer Theatre Festival based in Central Virginia. Geoffrey’s direction was recently seen in Endstation Theatre Company’s original productions of The Bluest Water: A Hurricane Camille Story and My Brother's Knife which were featured as part of the Blue Ridge Summer Theatre Festival. His Endstation production of The Mind of Poe was recently performed through out Virginia and was featured at the Capital Fringe Festival in Washington D.C.

Geoffrey served as the Artistic Director of the Crescendo Theatre Company based in Philadelphia for five years and co-created and directed their original productions of A Howl, A Tell-Tale Heart, and Hello! No Future?. As a theatre artist he has worked for the Arden Theatre Company, The Wilma Theater Company, The Willow Theatre, The Delaware Valley Opera Company, Theatre Jacksonville, University of the Arts, Sweet Briar College, Randolph College, Lynchburg College, Florida State University and the Yale-New Haven Summer High School.

He holds his MFA in Directing from Florida State University and his BFA in Acting from the University of the Arts. Other direction includes productions such as The Birds, Tough Choices for a New Century, Big Love, Quentin G, Amadeus, Macbeth, Endgame, Marisol, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Beaux’ Stratagem, and Splendora: A Musical. He has also led the creation of the original works Balls3 and The Guernica Project. Geoffrey is a member of the Lincoln Center’s Directors Lab.

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As we move through the school year I will be maintaining this blog with DSC Theatre Arts news, updates, information, photos, and video. Visit often!

Geoffrey Kershner

Daytona State College

Director of Theatre