Playwright Christopher Durang Attends Q & A and Performances of his Adrift in Macao, Texas State University

Christopher Durang (photo via Austin Chronicle)

 

 

Christopher Durang

Tony-winning playwright takes up residence at Texas State

by Robert Faires, October 3, 2013

[. . .] Adrift in Macao, a 2007 musical for which the playwright penned the book and lyrics, is being mounted by the Texas State University Department of Theatre and Dance, and the author will be in San Marcos to see it. Indeed, he and his partner of 26 years, John Augustine – a widely produced and very funny dramatist in his own right – will be on hand as playwrights-in-residence, thanks to the efforts of Kaitlin Hopkins, head of the musical theatre program at Texas State and an old friend of Durang's, with support from the Bowman Guest Artist Series.

The residency is obviously for the benefit of the department's students, and they'll have the chance to take a master class on the audition process with both authors, but Texas State is creating ample opportunities for the larger community to take advantage of it. After the evening performances of Adrift in Macao Friday and Saturday, Durang will join the cast for a talk-back moderated by Hopkins, who directed the production. And Saturday afternoon, a pair of programs involving the two writers will be open to the public – one focusing on Durang and his career, the other a roundtable discussion about collaboration featuring Durang and Augustine[. . . .]

Saturday, Oct. 12

"A Conversation With Christopher Durang" – 1-2 p.m.

Durang will field questions from head of playwriting Jim Price and the audience, and will also read from his own work.

"Collaboration: The Process" – 2:30-4pm

Durang and John Augustine will join students in Texas State's playwriting and directing programs for a roundtable discussion about the collaborative process between writer and director, and how it differs when the play is in development and when it's being fully produced. MFA directing associate professor Deb Alley will moderate.

Click to read full article at the Austin Chronicle

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Adrift in Macao runs Oct. 8-13, Tuesday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m;. Sunday, 2 & 7:30 p.m., at University Mainstage Theatre, 430 Moon, Texas State campus in San Marcos. For more information, call 512/245-2204 or visit www.txstatepresents.com.

Upcoming: Giant Steps, An Urbean Musical, staged reading by UT Summer Musical Theatre Workshop, June 29

The University of Texas Musical Theatre Workshop
presents a staged reading 

(image from University of Texas)

of

Giant Steps, An Urbean Musical

music and lyrics by Michael Dexter
book by Eric H. Weinberger
directed by Billy Porter
June 29, 7 p.m.
B. Iden Payne Theatre (300 E. 23rd St.), located in the F. Loren Winship Drama Building.

Giant Steps is a contemporary twist on the classic fairytale “Jack and the Beanstalk” that will delight young and old, alike. The June 29 performance of Giant Steps is at 7 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. 
 
The University of Texas at Austin, in collaboration with Texas State University-San Marcos, is offering the inaugural Texas Musical Theatre Workshop, a pre-collegiate summer intensive for high school students exploring a potential career in musical theatre June 10 - 30. This unique program brings New York’s Broadway talent to Texas, providing students the best in musical theatre training by industry professionals.

The workshop was founded by University of Texas at Austin faculty member Lyn Koenning and Texas State University faculty members Kaitlin Hopkins and Jim Price. As a collective, these artistic directors bring more than 75 years of industry experience to the workshop. 

Read more at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .

Upcoming: Hair by Rado, Ragni and MacDermot, Texas State University, April 20 - 29

presents

Book and Lyrics by James Rado & Gerome Ragni, Music by Galt MacDermot

Directed by Kaitlin Hopkins, Choreographed by Tom Truss

April 20th – 21st & April 24th – 28th at 7:30 p.m., April 22nd & 29th at 2:00 p.m.

University Mainstage Theatre, 430 Moon St., San Marcos, Texas (click for map)

Tickets $12 general admission and $7 for students with a valid Texas State ID.

For reservations, call the Texas State Box Office at (512) 245-2204.

Tickets will go on sale beginning Monday April 9th at 10:00 a.m.

Box Office hours: April 9- 13, 16-19 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

April 16th – April 19th from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

April 20, 21, 24 - 27 from 10:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

April 22n & 29 from 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

April 23rd from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

April 28th from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Hair tells the story of a group of friends choosing to speak up and sing out in celebration of love, life and freedom. The first great rock musical, it has some of the most rousing and soulful songs ever written for the stage, including "Let the Sun Shine In," "Easy to be Hard," "Good Morning Starshine," "Aquarius" and the infectious title song, "Hair."

[poster design by Geoffrey Douglas and Sara Lee Cely]

Classes: Texas Musical Theatre Workshop, UT+Texas State, June 10 - 30

UT and Texas State Offer New Musical Theatre Workshop June 10 - 30

at the F. Loren Winship Drama Building on The University of Texas at Austin campus. (Click for campus map.)

The University of Texas at Austin, in collaboration with Texas State University-San Marcos, is offering the inaugural Texas Musical Theatre Workshop, a three-week, pre-professional summer intensive for high school students exploring a potential career in musical theatre. This unique program brings New York’s Broadway talent to Texas, providing students the very best in musical theatre training by industry professionals. Teaching artists include Tony Award-nominated composer Andrew Lippa, director Matt Lenz, Broadway performer Joyce Chittick and university faculty members.

Texas Musical Theatre Workshop (TMTW) was founded by university faculty members Lyn Koenning, Kaitlin Hopkins and Jim Price. As a collective, these artistic directors bring more than 75 years of industry experience to the workshop. Head of the Texas State University playwriting program, Price is a veteran Broadway performer (Les Miserables, The Civil War). Hopkins, a Broadway performer and director, heads the nationally renowned musical theatre program at Texas State University. University of Texas at Austin faculty member Lyn Koenning is an award-winning music director, vocal arranger and voice and acting coach whose students have appeared on Broadway, regional theatre, television and film.

“We have a huge network of performers, directors, composers and playwrights ready to share their experiences, skills and insights with the next generation of artists," Koenning says. "We’re delighted to bring Broadway’s best to Texas.”

TMTW’s roster of teaching artists includes Andrew Lippa, Tony Award nominee and composer of the Broadway musical The Addams Family. Lippa’s work on The Wild Party (book/music/lyrics) was recognized in 2000 with the Drama Desk Award for best music. Broadway director Matt Lenz served as the associate director for the original production of Hairspray on Broadway and was recently the associate director for Catch Me If You Can on Broadway. And performer Joyce Chittick has starred in nine original Broadway casts, including Anything Goes, Jersey Boys and Cabaret.

At TMTW, students work side-by-side with these teaching artists and university faculty members. The program offers studio and master classes in acting, voice, dance, audition technique and performance.

“There is tremendous talent in Texas but few options for comprehensive training in all aspects of musical theatre by industry professionals,” Hopkins says. “At TMTW, we give them the added bonus of having our top faculty help prepare them for their colleges’ auditions as well as their careers."

Registration for the 2012 workshop is under way. For more information on Texas Musical Theatre Workshop, visit www.texasmusicaltheatreworkshop.com.

Upcoming: Oklahoma! by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Texas State University, San Marcos, November 11 - 20

Found on-line:

presents

Oklahoma!
music by Richard Rodgers
book & lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein
directed by Kaitlin Hopkins
November 11-12 at 7:30 p.m., November 13 at 2:00 p.m.
November 15-19 at 7:30 p.m. November 20 at 1:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Oklahoma! launched the Golden Age of the American Musical and marked the first collaboration between composer Richard Rodgers and Lyricist/librettist Oscar Hammerstein II. The first of the nine musicals they wrote together, Oklahoma! was a milestone in its merging of story, song and dance. Set in the Oklahoma territory outside the town of Claremore in 1906, it tells the story of cowboy Curly McLain and his romance with farm girl Laurey Williams; who will take her to the box social-Curly or the sinister Jud Fry.

Upcoming: Oklahoma!, Texas State University, November 11 - 20

Found on-line:

presents

Oklahoma!

by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II

directed by Kaitlin Hopkins

November 11-12, 15-19 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday November 13 at 2 p.m., Sunday November 20 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Texas University Theatre, 430 Moon Street, San Marcos (click for map)

Oklahoma! launched the Golden Age of the American Musical and marked the first collaboration between composer Richard Rodgers and Lyricist/librettist Oscar Hammerstein II. The first of the nine musicals they wrote together, Oklahoma! was a milestone in its merging of story, song and dance. Set in the Oklahoma territory outside the town of Claremore in 1906, it tells the story of cowboy Curly McLain and his romance with farm girl Laurey Williams; who will take her to the box social-Curly or the sinister Jud Fry.

Upcoming: A Little Princess by Andrew Lippa and Brian Cawley, Texas Music Theatre, San Marcos, October 16 - 19

Found on-line:

Texas Music Theatre, San Marcos

presents

Music by Andrew Lippa
Book & Lyrics by Brian Crawley
directed by and starring Kaitlin Hopkins
October 16–19 at 7:30 p.m.
Texas Music Theatre – 120 E. San Antonio / San Marcos, TX 78666

Click for a note from director Kaitlin Hopkins the venue and tickets ($10-$75)

Click to buy tickets on-line at FrontGateTickets.com

This family-friendly musical based on the 1905 novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, features a score by Andrew Lippa (Addams Family and The Wild Party) and book and lyrics by Brian Crawley (Violet). This Victorian-era story follows Sara Crewe, the young daughter of adventurer Captain Crewe. A girl of privilege, Sara is sent to London to Miss Minchin's school for girls while her father sees to his interests abroad. When her father's fortunes turn, however, the cruel and corrupt Miss Minchin makes Sara a servant and she lives a life of hunger, despair and drudgery.

Click to view crew and cast information at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .

Upcoming: The Wild Party by Andrew Lippa, Texas State University, San Marcos, April 27 - May 1

Found on-line:

presents

The Wild Party
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa

Directed by Kaitlin Hopkins

April 27-30 at 7:30p.m.; May 1 at 2:00p.m.

$10 general, $7 students

FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY

Adapted from a book-length poem about the Roaring Twenties, The Wild Party tells the story of one wild evening in the Manhattan apartment shared by a vaudeville dancer and a vaudeville clown. In a relationship marked by vicious behavior and recklessness, they decide to throw a party to end all parties. The Wild Party won the 2000 Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Musical. In Fall 2010, the Tony-nominated Mr. Lippa will be in Composer-in-Residence at Texas State.

Upcoming: All Shook Up, the Elvis Presley Musical, Texas State University, San Marcos, November 10 - 21

Found on-line:

All Shook Up

Songs by Elvis Presley
Book by Joe DiPietro
Directed by Kaitlin Hopkins
November 10 - 13, 17 @ 7:30pm
November 14, 21 @ 2:00pm
The Main Stage Theatre Building
$10 General | $7 Students
More Information

a story based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and songs from Elvis Presley, Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro’s All Shook Up is a rocking musical comedy about a small-town girl with big dreams. Into her quiet life comes a motorcycle-riding, guitar playing roustabout who changes everything and everyone he meets. This toe-tapping, sweet romance features over 20 of Elvis’ greatest hits, including "Heartbreak Hotel", "Jailhouse Rock", “Hound Dog”, and “Blue Suede Shoes.”

Call for Details:
Theatre & Dance Office: 512.245.2147
Theatre Box Office: 512.245.2204

Arts Reporting: Texas State Dancers Cast in Shirley MacLaine/Jack Black Film

Found on-line:

Texas State Theatre and Dance students score roles with A-list stars

Brad Rollins on Tuesday, 28 September 2010

The filming of a major motion picture in Austin has presented eight musical theatre students from the Texas State University Department of Theatre and Dance with a special opportunity to showcase their talents on the big screen with some of the top names in the industry. Those chosen include Jennifer Foster of Thousand Oaks, Calif; Madelyn Shaffer of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Colin Bevis of Clarksville, Tenn.; Ian Saunders of Walled Lake, Mich.; Tim Heller of Libertyville, Ill.; Rachel Hull-Ryde of Grapevine; Jacqueline Bloom of Granite Bay, Calif.; and Trevor McGinnis of San Antonio.

“Bernie,” a film in progress directed by Richard Linklater and staring Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine, is a story inspired by a 1998 “Texas Monthly” article about the east Texas town of Carthage and its bizarre tale of a local undertaker and his 1997 confession to murdering his wealthy companion.

Read more at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .

Upcoming: Beautiful, Beautiful World musical revue, Texas State University, San Marcos, March 17 - 21

Found on-line:




presents

Beautiful Beautiful World
the 2009 - 2010 musical revue

Directed by Kaitlin Hopkins
March 17-20 and March 23-27 at 7:30p.m.; March 21, 28 at 2 p.m.
Studio Theatre, Texas State University, San Marcos
$10 general admission; $7 students

We recently launched our new BFA in musical theatre with a sold-out production of Bat Boy: the Musical directed by the new head of the program, award-winning actress Kaitlin Hopkins. For the evening of Beautiful, Beautiful World Kaitlin and her students will perform a pre-show cabaret beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the lobby of the theatre building. Come join us before the show for dessert, coffee and some songs you can sing along to!

As one of America's finest composer/lyricist teams, Harnick and Boch wrote some of Broadway’s greatest shows including She Loves Me, Fiddler on the Roof, The Apple Tree, and Fiorello. Director Kaitlin Hopkins, head of the Texas State Musical Theatre program, collaborated with Harnick and Boch to create this musical revue that debuted at the William Inge Festival in 2007. Join us for this enchanting evening featuring our students performing songs from these Broadway classics.

Cast and Production Team

Cast
Braden Bradley, Olivia Corbello, Emily Gee, Caitlin Hales, Dylan Hall, Mary Hille, Libby Hollinger, Rachel Hull-Ryde, Lindsey LaPerriere, Brandon Mabry, Sean McGibbion, Trevor McGinnis, Trevor Roderick, Christine Tucker, Grantham Woods

Production Team

Assistant Director Christine Sheehan
Pre-Show Producer Megan Rexer
Stage Manager Katie Knapek

Upcoming: Bat Boy, The Musical, Texas State University at San Marcos, November 11 - 22

UPDATE: KOOP-FM's Lisa Scheps talks with director Kaitlin Hopkins and plays music from Batboy, The Musical, November 16 (30 min.)

Found on-line:

Bat Boy: The Musical

Book and Lyrics Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming
Music by Laurence O’Keefe
Directed by Kaitlin Hopkins
Nov. 11-14, 18-21 at 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 15, 22 at 2:00 p.m.
$10 general, $ 7 students

Ripped from the headlines of the Weekly World News, Batboy: The Musical is a cult hit about a half-boy, half-bat discovered in a cave. This campy, satirical twist on the modern musical comedy tells the amazing story of a strange boy with pointy ears, his struggle to find a place in a world that shuns him, and the love that can create both miracles and madness.

Hailed as “darkly funny, but curiously touching’, Bat Boy contains a driving, upbeat score, featuring rock, rap, and other musical styles. Director Kaitlin Hopkins was a Drama Desk nominee for her role in the 2001 New York production; fellow faculty member Jim Price was also in the original cast.

Texas State Appoints Head of Musical Theatre Program, April 23

From the Texas State University Star:

Kaitlin Hopkins Selected as Head of Musical Theatre

By Ashley Dickinson, April 23

Kaitlin Hopkins and her husband, James Price, have spent the last 25 years as nationally recognized performers, but they both knew their path would lead to teaching. That path has led them to San Marcos.

Hopkins begins as the new head of musical theater for Texas State in August. Hopkins will be involved in directing and overseeing student scholarships. Price and Hopkins will split teaching between seven different courses in the department, but their job begins this summer with recruiting students.

John Fleming, chair of the department of theater and dance, said Hopkins turned down a lead female role in the Broadway play, “Bye Bye Birdie,” to take the university position.

“We’re extremely excited. We already have a first-rate faculty, and they bring more visibility and connections,” Fleming said. “Professionals will come down and do things for our school for free.”

The couple has wanted to help a university better its theater department, and Texas State was a favorable environment for them.

“We have been looking for an opportunity to help build a program for a while now, and Texas State really seems like that program,” Price said in an e-mail. “After spending a few days on campus meeting with the faculty, the administration, the students — we knew this was the place for us.”

The award-winning Hopkins has a long list of acts on and off Broadway and in film, television and radio. Some of her Broadway roles were in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Anything Goes” and “Noises Off,” and her off-Broadway titles include “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” and “Johnny Pye and the Foolkiller.” She was recently on a national tour with “Dirty Dancing.”

Click to read more at University Star online