VSU Theatre & Dance Photo Gallery

Each academic year, VSU Theatre produces an aggressive production season of 7 productions. Below are some images from past seasons.

Current season's schedule. Ticket, Membership and Box Office information.

2009-2010

Barbara-Ann Hemrick, Casey Harney and Jake Martishius in

Almost, Maine
by John Cariani
Co-Directed by Senior BFA in Theatre student Phillip E. Jones and Associate Professor H. Duke Guthrie

Pictured: Barbara Ann Hemrick as Sandrine, Casey Harney as Waitress and Jake Martishius as Jimmy in "Sad & Glad" in ALMOST, MAINE

Photo by Marty Lynch

September 17-23, 2009, Lab Theatre

A moment from ALL MY SONS

All My Sons
by Arthur Miller
Directed by Dr. Jimmy Bickerstaff

Picutred: Hannah Woods as Ann, Sam Raffield as Chris, Rick Patrick as Joe and Angie Jehn as Kate in ALL MY SONS

Photo by Marty Lynch

October 8-14, 2009, Sawyer Theatre

 

Damn, Yankees
Book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop
Music by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross
Lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross
Based on Douglas Wallop's Novel The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant
Directed by Jacque Wheeler
Choreographed by Eric Brandt Nielsen
Vocal Direction by Michael Elliott

November 12-18, 2009, Sawyer Theatre

 

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Book and Lyrics by Judith Viorst
Music by Shelly Markham
Directed by Michael Elliott

February 5 -6, 2010, Lab Theatre , plus regional tour

 

The Piano Lesson
by August Wilson
Co-directed by Dr. John Gaston and Dr. Jimmy Bickerstaff

February 19-25, 2010, Sawyer Theatre

 

The Three Sisters
by Anton Chekhov in a version by Paul Schmidt
Directed by Jacque Wheeler

April 1-7, 2010, Lab Theatre

 

The Spirit of Dance in America, The Annual Dance Concert
Choreographed by Eric Brandt Nielsen, Catherine Schaeffer and Kimberly Holt

April 22-25, 2010, Sawyer Theatre

 

2008-2009

J. R. Shuman as Father Flynn in DOUBT

Doubt
By John Partrick Shanley
Directed by Jacque Wheeler

Pictured: J. R. Shuman as Father Flynn

September 18-24, 2008, Lab Theatre

 

alumni and faculty gathered at 2008's pro-conn networking session

Back row, pictured L-R: Professor Jacque Wheeler, Professor Emeritus
Dr. Randy Wheeler, Debra Fordham, Jason Courson, Joe Powell,
Theatre-Dance Area Chair & VSU Alum Duke Guthrie, Dexter Porter,
James David Jackson, Chris Bell, David Flores,Kevin Harris, Steven
O'Neal, Justin Barnette, Rebecca Edmondson. Middle row: Renee
Haines, Megan Formwalt, Alston Brown, Lindsey Lamb Archer, Nate Suggs, Jonathan Able,Monica Redman. Kneeling in front: Ann Lackey (VSU Foundation Board of Trustees), Drew Archer, Rob Wheeler, Summer Baldwin, Tiffany Grant, Adam Carr.

pro-conn
VSU Theatre & Dance has developed a program called pro-conn (professional connections). It is a program that brings professionals to campus, and schedules trips for interested participants to major theatre markets in an effort to assist students in their transition from the academy into the industry.

In October, 2008, a trip was taken to New York City, where participating students and alumni were seen by as many as 5 casting directors, an agent, participated in a dance class led by the dance captain of a Broadway musical, back stage tours and discussions with an AEA stage manager, an associate director with several projects on Broadway and the author of a Broadway musical.

A highlight of the trip is the annual networking session with students and alumni. Pictured here are the alums of the program as they gathered on the roof garden of Cornelia Day Resort.

Special thanks to Steven O'Neal of Cornelia Day Resort; John Trombetta, Director of VSU Alumni Relations; Kate Heine of VSU's Communications Unit.

"Fertile Ground" from BEYOND THE FOOTLIGHTS, the annual dance concert.

Beyond the Footlights: the annual concert by the VSU Repertory Dancers
Choreographed by Eric Nielsen, Catherine Schaeffer, Sarah McAllister

Pictured: a moment from FERTILE GROUND.

October 23 - 26, 2008, Sawyer Theatre

Sir Toby, Fool and Sir Andrew in their Mardi Gras masks in 2008's TWELFTH NIGHT

Twelfth Night or What You Will
By William Shakespeare
Directed by H. Duke Guthrie

Pictured L-R: Sam Raffield as Sir Toby, Chauntae Pink as Fool, Isaac Huntington as Sir Andrew. Masks designed and constructed by senior Josh Alva.


November 13-19, 2008, Sawyer Theatre


The company of STUART LITTLE.

Stuart Little
By Joseph Robinette, based on the novel by E. B. White
VSU Theatre & Dance's annual theatre-for-youth tour
Directed by Dr. Jimmy Bickerstaff
February 6 & 7, 2009, Lab Theatre
Plus tour dates in February and March, 2009

Pictured L-R: Hannah Woods, Phillip Edward Jones, Sam Raffield, Celina Curtis as Stuart, Carlee Beall, Kakisha Worlds, Antony Russell.

The Joads reach California in THE GRAPES OF WRATH.

The Grapes of Wrath
By Frank Galati, from the novel by John Steinbeck
Directed by Jacque Wheeler
February 19-25, 2009, Sawyer Theatre

Pictured L-R: Hannah Woods, Luke Newsome, Phillip Edward Jones, J.R. Shuman, Kamie Sullivan, Josh Burke, Rick Patrick, John Holladay. In front: Riley Haptonstall.

On The Verge

On the Verge or the Geography of Yearning
By Eric Overmyer
Directed by Dr. Jimmy Bickerstaff
March 26-April 1, 2009, Lab Theatre

Pictured L-R: Courtney Conner, Chauntae Pink, Elizabeth Dunn.

The cast of Footloose in the Finale

Footloose
Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford & Walter Bobbie
Based on the Original Screenplay by Dean Pitchford
Music by Tom Snow, Lyrics by Dean Pitchford, Additional Music by: Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman.
Directed & Choreographed by Eric Nielsen
April 16-22, 2009, Sawyer Theatre

Pictured is the Company

2007-2008.
The 2007-2008 season consisted of Wit, the annual dance concert Steps in Time, The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Fantastic Return of the Fabulous Fable Factory, Holler Me Home ( a world premiere that was accepted into the Out of the Loop Festival at Addison, TX's Watertower Theatre, Shaw's Arms and the Man, and Show Boat.

WIT from 2007-2008 season

Wit
By Margaret Edson
Directed by Dr. Jimmy Bickerstaff

Pictured: Patrick Rivers, Annie Janson

September 13-19, 2007, Lab Theatre

STEPS IN TIME, 2007 VSU Repertory Dancers' Annual Concert

Steps in Time, the Annual Dance Concert
Choreography by Eric Brandt Nielsen, Catherine Schaeffer, Sarah McCalister

October 7-10, 2007, Sawyer Theatre

A moment from THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER

The Man Who Came to Dinner
By George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart
Directed by Jacque Wheeler

Pictured: H. Duke Guthrie, Carla Olivar and Carl Glasscock

November 8-14, 2007, Sawyer Theatre


THE FANTASTIC RETURN OF THE FABULOUS FABLE FACTORY

The Fantastic Return of the Fabulous Fable Factory
Book by Joseph Robinette, Music by Thomas Tierney, Lyrics by Thomas Tierney and Joseph Robinette
Directed by Jacque Wheeler, Vocal Direction by Michael Elliott

Pictured: Megan Wheeler, Melissa Porter, Elizabeth Dunn, Kelly Murrya, Shelina Smith, Shelby Nichols. Front: Joel Mosely, Lana Grube

February 1 & 2, 2008, Sawyer Theatre, plus regional tour

HOLLER ME HOME from 2007-2008 season

Holler Me Home
By Debra Fordham
Directed by Randy Wheeler


Pictured: Rick Patrick, Heather Cross, Raoul Barnick

February 14-20, 2008, Sawyer Theatre

The HOLLER ME HOME Company with Alums at the Out of the Loop Festival in Dallas, March, 2008

Holler Me Home
By Debra Fordham
Directed by Randy Wheeler

The Company and Alums outside the Water Tower Theatre, home of the Out of the Loop Festival in Addison, TX, (Dallas.) March 15 & 16, 2008 .

Pictured Back Row: Raoul Barnick, Lindsay Mouchet, Debra Fordham, Prof. Duke Guthrie, Prof. Jacque Wheeler, Rick Patrick, Prof. Marty Lynch, Thomas Poje, Heather Cross, Kyle Tutton. Middle Row: Lauren Futch, Christa Carroll, Katie Cathell, Alum Landrie Bock, Alum Michael Cheek. Front Row: Drew Giles, Rachel Wayne, Phillip Jones, Alum Joe Muncy.

ARMS AND THE MAN

Arms and the Man
By George Bernard Shaw
Directed by H. Duke Guthrie

Pictured: Lauren Riner as Louka, Zack Lorber as Sergius

March 20-26, 2008, Lab Theatre

The SHOW BOAT cast

Show Boat
By Oscar Hammerstein, II
Directed by Jacque Wheeler, Choreographed by Eric Brandt NielsenVocal Direction by Michael Elliott, Musical Direction by Dr. Joe Brashier.

The cast of Show Boat

April 17-23, 2008, Sawyer Theatre

 

2006-2007
The 06-07 Season included: Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, The Crucible, Journeys (the annual dance concert), Gaité Parisienne (the theatre-for-youth tour), Shadowlands, The Commedia Project (an original Commedia scenario), and Sugar Babies.

A moment from FIVE WOMEN WEARING THE SAME DRESS  

Five Women Wearing the Same Dress
By Alan Ball
Directed by H. Duke Guthrie
Designed by Jonathan Fries (set), Rich Haptonstall (lighting), LeVonne Lindsay (costumes), Marty Lynch (technical direction)
Pictured L-R: Sylvia Stanton, Deanna D. Boyd, Lindsay Calhoon, Megan Wheeler, Elizabeth C. Dunn.

 

September 14-20, 2006, Lab Theatre

An image from THE CRUCIBLE  

The Crucible
By Arthur Miller
Directed by Jacque Wheeler
Designed by Rich Haptonstall (set), Ryan Robicheaux (lighting), Ali Braun (costumes), Marty Lynch (technical direction), Catherine Schaeffer (choreography)
Pictured L-R: Craig A. Popham, Patrick A. Rivers, Kerri Pinter, Jonathan Able, Annie Janson, Christa Carrol, Zach Lorber, Vinyetta V. James (front).

October 5-11, 2006, Sawyer Theatre

an image from JOURNEYS VSU Repertory Dancers' annual concert  

JOURNEYS: A Centennial Dance Celebration
Choreographed by: Sarah McCalister, Eric Brandt Nielsen, & Catherine Schaeffer
Designed by: Rich Haptonstall (set), Marty Lynch (lighting & technical direction), LeVonne Lindsay, Kathy Raess-Young, & Ali Braun (costumes)
Pictured L-R: Ashton Jones, Antonia Poarch, Rose Buis, Keri Toggerson, Ali Wambold, Erin Atcheson, Rodney Wiggins.


November 9-11, 2006, Sawyer Theatre

Carlye McLaughlin from GAITE PARISIENNE  

Gaité Parisienne
A touring dance presentation for young audiences
Choreographed by Sarah McCalister
Designed by: Rich Haptonstall (set), Marty Lynch (lighting), Cynthia Burckel (costumes)
Pictured: Carlye McLaughlin






February 2, 3, 23, 24, 2007, Sawyer Theatre

SHADOWLANDS: Joy is visited by her son, Douglas  

Shadowlands
By William Nicholson
Directed by Dr. Jimmy Bickerstaff
Designed by: Marty Lynch (set). Rich Haptonstall (lighting), LeVonne Lindsay (costumes)
Pictured L-R: Kamie Sullivan, Liam Bickerstaff






February 15-21, 2007, Lab Theatre

What is more fun than a quadruple wedding? From THE COMMEDIA PROJECT  

The Commedia Project: La Commedia di Amore
An Original Commedia Scenario in Two Acts

Developed by the Troupe members along with Lindsay Herring, Lindsey Mouchet, Kerri Pinder, Jennifer Ruffin, Robert Weathers, Austin Webb, Rodney Wiggins, Deborah Morgan, & Jacque Wheeler
Directed by: Jacque Wheeler
Designed by: Lindsay Herring (set), Rich Haptonstall (lighting), LeVonne Lindsay (costumes), Marty Lynch (technical direction), Deborah Morgan (dramaturg)
Pictured L-R: Patrick A. Rivers, Andy Wood, Kristina Prince, Raoul Barnick, Laura Gilreath, Tommy Venuti, Hannah Woods, Josh Burke, Anna R. Crowe, Chris Hutcheson

The Sugar Babies in SUGAR BABIES  

Sugar Babies
Conceived by Ralph G. Allen & Harry Rigby.
Sketches by Ralph G. Allen based on traditional material
Music by Jimmy McHugh, lyrics by Dorothy Fields and Al Dubin
Additional music & lyrics by Arthur Malvin, "Sugar Baby Bounce" by Jay Livingston & Ray Evan, flea circus act by Eric Brandt Nielsen
Directed & choreographed by Eric Brandt Nielsen
Vocal direction by Michael Elliott, musical direction by Dr. Joe Brashier
Designed by: Rich Haptonstall (set), Ryan Robicheaux (lighting), LeVonne Lindsay (costume coordinator), Marty Lynch (tehcnical direction)
Pictured L-R: Carla Oliva, Christy Johnson, Annie Janson, Lana Grube, Lauren Riner, Ashton Jones, Joni Wakefield, Katie Barnett, Emoryann Childers, Katrina Steward, Megan Mahoney

 

2005-2006

The KINDERGARTEN cast  

Robert Fulghum's All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
Conceived & adapted by Ernest Zulia, music & lyrics by David Caldwell
Directed by H. Duke Guthrie
Choreographed by Catherine Schaeffer
Musical Direction by Michael Elliott
Designed by Rich Haptonstall (set), Ryan Robicheaux (lighting), LeVonne Lindsay (costumes), John Hemphill (sound), Mike Harbin (technical direction)
Pictured: (front row) Craig A. Popham, (second row) Megan Wheeler, Laura Hussey, (third row) Josh Paul, Heath McNease, Zach Gilbert, (fourth row) Lauren Riner, Carlye McLaughlin, Tommy Venuti, Karen Webb

September 15 - 21, 2005, Lab Theatre

Poe remembers Annabel Lee in NEVERMORE!  

Nevermore!
By Julian Wiles, based on the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe
Directed by Deborah Morgan
Designed by Jonathan Fries & John Hemphill (set), John Hemphill (lighting), Kathy Raess-Young (costumes) Ryan Robicheaux (sound), Mike Harbin (technical direction)
Pictured L-R: Monica Redman, Matt Ducati

October 6 - 12, 2005, Sawyer Theatre

Chris Bell as Ebenezer Scrooge in SCROOGE!  

Scrooge!
Book, Music & Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse
Directed by Dr. Randy Wheeler; Choreographer by Eric Brandt Nielsen; Musical direction by Michael Elliott; Conducted by Dr. Joe Brashier
Designed by Rich Haptonstall (set), John Hemphill (lighting), LeVonne Lindsay (costumes), Daniel Wilson (sound), David Flores (hair & makeup), Mike Harbin (technical direction)
Pictured: Chris Bell

November 10-19, 2005, Sawyer Theater

The Cast of THE TUESDAY AFTERNOON REGULARS  

The Tuesday Afternoon Regulars
Theatre-for-Youth Tour
Book by Joseph Robinette, Music by THomas Tierney, Lyrics by Joseph Robinette & Thomas Tierney
Directed by Dr. Randy Wheeler, Choreographed by Barbara Hartwig, Musical Direction by Michael Elliott
Designed by Rich Haptonstall (set), John Hemphill (lighting), LeVonne Lindsay (costumes), James Helms (technical direction)
Pictured L-R: Joe Massingill, Marie O'Neal, David Flores, Tracy McBurnett, Kamie Sullivan, Will Norris, Amy Morrow (front)

February 3, 4, 24, 25, 2006, Sawyer Theatre

Alan with Nugget (Josh Paul & Joe Massingill) with Dysart looking on, from EQUUS  

Equus
By Peter Schaffer
Directed by Dr. Randy Wheeler
Designed by Rich Haptonstall (set & lighting), LeVonne Lindsay (costumes), James Helms (technical direction)
Pictured L-R: Heath McNease, Joe Massingill, Josh Paul

February 16-22, 2006, Lab Theatre

A moment from Sophocles'  ANTIGONE  

Sophocles' Antigone, an Englis version by Dudley Fitts & Robert Fitzgerald
Directed by Jacque Wheeler
Designed by Rich Haptonstall (set), Ryan Robicheaux (lighting), LeVonne Lindsay (costumes), John Hemphill (sound), Deborah Morgan (dramaturg), Jason Armit & Jacki Blakeney (fight choreography), Mike Dana (original music)
Pictured:

A moment from the dance concert, Turning 20  

Turning 20
Choreographed by: Sarah McCalister, Eric Brandt Nielsen, & Catherine Schaeffer
Designed by: Rich Haptonstall (scenic coordination), James Helms (lighting & technical direction), LeVonne Lindsay, Kathy Raess-Young, Mary Selvoski & Ali Braun (costumes)
Pictured L-R

2004-2005

Sheana Tobey in ENCHANTED APRIL's leading role  

Enchanted April

Directed by Jacque Wheeler

A moment from MASTERPIECES IN MOTION  

Masterpieces in Motion
Choreographed by Eric Brandt Nielsen

Macbeth and his lady   Macbeth
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Dr. Randy Wheeler
Cinderella with puppet birds and cow   Cinderella, the World's Favorite Fairy Tale

Directed by Jacque Wheeler

Pictured L-R: Annie Janson, Anna R. Crowe, Tera Willis, Christian Specht
MURDER ON THE NILE curtain call  

Murder on the Nile
By Agatha Christie
Directed by H. Duke Guthrie


Pictured L-R: Bridget Harris, Laura Gilreath, Heath McNease, Tyler Rawlins, Sylvia Stanton, Matt Ducati, Tracy McBurnett, Landon Seigler, Chris Hutcheson, Christian Specht, Pete Rodgers, John Delamar, Andy Wood, Andrea Rogers

February , Sawyer Theatre
Tera Willis in the leading role in PROOF  

Proof

Directed by Dr. Randy Wheeler

 

March, Lab Theatre

A moment from THE PAJAMA GAME   The Pajama Game

Directed by Jacque Wheeler, Choreographed by Eric Brandt Nielsen

 


Production History since 1980-1981

1980-1981
The Gingerbread Lady, A Hatful of Rain,
The Fabulous Fable Factory, A Little Night Music, Dark of the Moon, Original One-Acts, The Bald Soprano, A Broadway Review

1981-1982
1984, The Creation of the World and Other Business, The Me Nobody Knows, The Waltz of the Toreadors, Showdown at the Sugarcane Saloon, Whose Life is It, Anyway?, Romeo and Juliet

1982-1983
Hedda Gabler, Tribute, Feiffer’s People, Night Must Fall, Kiddleywinks!, The American Dream, Carousel, Royal Gambit

1983-1984
The Elephant Man, Barefoot In The Park, The Littlest Angel, Flowers For Algernon, Medea, Dance ’84, Vanities, Pippin

1984-1985
The Miser, Son of Radio, The Member of the Wedding, Cabaret, Charlotte’s Web, Butterflies are Free, Original One-Acts, The Music Man

1985-1986
The Belle Of Amherst, Images, A Night at Delmonico’s, The Land of the Dragon, The Shadow Box, Guys and Dolls, The Merchant of Venice

1986-1987
The Playboy of the Western World, Fool For Love, Showstoppers, Deathtrap, I Didn’t Know That, Tintypes, Crimes of the Heart, Dance Celebration
1987-1988
The Laugh’s on Us, The Merchant, The Diary of Anne Frank, Dance Celebration ’88, Laundry and Bourbon; Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music, Winnie The Pooh, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Sweet Charity

1988-1989
Agnes of God, Desire Under the Elms;Dance, Dance, Dance; Wait Until Dark, The Arkansaw Bear, Noises Off, Suddenly Last Summer, The Pirates of Penzance

1989-1990
The American Clock; Dance Celebration ’89; Henry IV, Part I; Original One-Acts, Hansel and Gretel, The Little Foxes, Steel Magnolias, Mack and Mabel

1990-1991
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The Passion of Dracula, What the Butler Saw, The Nerd, Tall Betsy &the Crackerbarrel Tales; No, No, Nanette; The Imaginare Invalid; A Salute to Fred Astaire

1991-1992
Spoon River Anthology, Electra, Carmina Burana, Original One-Acts, Peter and the Wolf, So Long on Lonely Street, Black Comedy, Into the Woods

1992-1993
‘Night Mother, Lend Me a Tenor, She Stoops To Conquer, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Just So Stories, Tribute to Gene Kelly, The Boys Next Door, Big River

1993-1994
Dance Celebration ’93, Hamlet, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead, Greater Tuna, Rumors, Skupper-Duppers, The Clumsy Custard Horror Show, Oklahoma!
1994-1995
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, The Tobacco Barn, Beyond Therapy, The Seagull; Fads, Fashion And Romance; The People, Yes; Fiddler On The Roof
1995-1996
Ten Little Indians, The Little Matchgirl, Blithe Spirit, Reynard the Fox, California Suite, The Mandrake, Kismet
1996-1997
Dancing at Lughnasa, Oedipus Rex, Let’s Dance, Golliwhoppers, All In the Timing, Waiting for Godot, Crazy for You
1997-1998
All That Jazz, The Good Doctor, Pinocchio Commedia, Much Ado About Nothing, Our Town, Fences, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying
1998-1999
Under Milkwood, Fascinating Rythms, The Man of Mode, Star Spangled Salute, Talley’s Folley, The Dream Jar, West Side Story
1999-2000
Stepping to the Millennium, A Doll’s House, To Kill a Mockingbird, Original One Act and Is Robert     Deniro King of America?, The Magic Of Dance, The Good Times are Killing Me, Sweeney Todd
2000-2001
The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Dr. Faustus (Choreodrama), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Tokoloshe, The Dining Room, Marvin’s Room, 42nd Street
2001-2002
A View from a Bridge, 2001: A Dance Odyssey, The Importance Of Being Earnest, A Thousand Cranes, Flyin’ West, Talking, with…, Anything Goes
2002-2003
One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, Myths & Legends; Ah, Wilderness!; Schoolhouse Rock Live, Jr.; The Laramie Project; Picasso At The Lapin Agile; Children Of Eden

2003-2004
A Day In The Moonlight, Dance Fusion, The Visit, Beauty and the Beast, Tartuffe, Lost In Yonkers, A Chorus Line

2004-2005
Enchanted April, Masterpieces in Motion,
Macbeth, Cinderella: the World's Favorite Fairy Tale, Murder on the Nile, Proof, The Pajama Game

2005-2006
Robert Fulghum's All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, Nevermore, Scrooge!, The Tuesday Afternoon Regulars, Equus, Antigone, Turning 20

2006-2007
Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, The Crucible, Journeys: A Centennial Dance Celebration, Gaité Parisienne, Shadowlands, The Commedia Project, Sugar Babies
2007-2008
Wit, Steps in Time, The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Fantastic Return of the Fabulous Fable Factory, Holler Me Home, Arms and the Man, Show Boat
2008-2009, tentative and subject to change
Doubt, Beyond the Footlights, Twelfth Night, Stuart Little, The Grapes of Wrath, On the Verge, Footloose